CostHelper.com > Cars  > Tune-up

Tune-up Cost

How Much Does a Tune-up Cost?
 
average cost Medium: Range $30-$100+
 



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Prices vary greatly depending on the cost of labor in your area and what work is being done. According to the New York State Attorney General's Auto Repair Tips, the old kind of "tune-up" which were more typical for cars before 1980 usually aren't required in modern cars.
 
Typical costs:
  • For a basic "tune-up," we've seen rates as low as $30-$50 in places where the cost of living is low, to as much as $100 or more in expensive areas where more is included in the tune-up.
  • Most places will charge you for parts and labor separately. Often tune-up parts like spark plugs, air filters and fuel filters will run $20-$60. We've seen hourly labor quotes from $40 an hour, to over $110-$150 an hour at BMW and Mercedes dealerships in urban areas. In the San Francisco Bay Area, we've seen ordinary repair shops with rates from $55-$80 an hour, and ordinary dealerships with rates of $80-$90.
  • Dealer 30k, 60k or 90k mile tune-ups can run from $250 for 3-4 hours of labor and basic maintenance, to over $1,000 at places with high labor costs and additional maintenance services, such as timing belt replacement.
Additional costs:
  • If the mechanic identifies needed repairs, this can add a significant amount to your total.
Discounts:
  • Small auto repair shops and gas stations will often advertise specials on tune-ups in newspapers and coupon books.
Shopping for a tune-up:
  • If you've lost your owner's manual, which typically specifies your car's maintenance schedule, you can usually find instructions for ordering a replacement at the manufacturer's web site.
  • If you don't already have a mechanic, look for mechanics who are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Search for ASE certified Blue Seal repair facilities.
Article updated November 2006
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Recent Posts
Amount: $250.00 $250 for tune up
Posted by: Fred in Indianapolis, IN.Purchased: March, 2001
Car Make: MazdaCar Model: Protege
Hours of Labor: not sure
I was just quoted $250 to replace my plugs and wires. Seems kind of steep to me.
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Amount: $100.00 Tune Up
Posted by: big AL in naperville, IL.Purchased: August, 2001
Car Make: bmw 99Car Model: 328i
Hours of Labor: not sure
I paid $100.00 to a guy who repairs cars in his garage. Hes a BMW mechanic and does this on the side. The cost included plugs and air filter, he also put power steering fluid in my car.
This was a great price! not sure if anyone can match it.
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Amount: $1,000.00 The Real World of Tune Ups
Posted by: ex-wrencher in San Rafael, CA.Purchased: March, 2004
Car Make: SubaruCar Model: Impreza
Hours of Labor: 6
The cost of "tune ups" for most all Subarus is Low. That is because the only expensive ones are the 30,60,90,120 etc. In which most everything is done. Trans-Flush, Diff fluid-front-rear, Brake fluid drain+brakes,Plugs, Filters- Fuel, Air,Oil . The usual cost is around $500 for all of that and thats quite a bit!!! But I needed new rotors due to big time braking and resurfacing three times. I am hard on em and it cost me another 5 bills. But if you took only those Items I mentioned and went to say Audi, MBZ,BMW,Lexus you wouldnt get away with anything less tha 2K -- because there is ALWAYS extra stuff that needs repair/change-- so these BOGUS reports of major services tha are between 50-250$ are LIES. get real . That is if you are having things done correctly--yeah you can change the TRans fluid for 30$ but did you get it flushed too. Some garages skip that step and believe me its a BIGGIE. new trans = 4to7K $$$ .
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Amount: $425.00 Tune up
Posted by: Philly mama in Philadelphia, PA.Purchased: 2001
Car Make: BuickCar Model: 1993 Roadmaster
Hours of Labor: unknown
ex-wrencher in San Rafael: your comments are more in line with what my mechanic is quoting me to tune my Buick Roadmaster with almost 118,000 miles. But everyone I talk with is shocked at his $425 estimate. Who's for real here?
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Amount: $420.00 tune-up
Posted by: Brian in portland, ME.Purchased: 2007
Car Make: chevyCar Model: lumina
Hours of Labor: 3-4
i went to a meineke b/c my has had a lot of hesitation. They reccommended a major tune-up. They wanted to charge me something like $420, so I said no thanks and left....
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Amount: $433.00 Andrea
Posted by: Concerned customer in Coral Springs, FL.Purchased: October, 2004
Car Make: SaturnCar Model: Vue
Hours of Labor: Left at shop
My car just reached 50K miles. I felt a little loss of power and believe it's time for a tune-up. so, besides the regular oil change they say I need spark plugs, air and cabin filters,break fluid change and something with the back breaks (cleaning maybe???) Am I getting ripped off?
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Amount: $315.00 Overcharged?
Posted by: brendo in Cranston, RI.Purchased: 2001
Car Make: mazdaCar Model: 626
Hours of Labor: 2
I was charged this for a tune-up + an oil change. I thought that 140ish was expensive for about 2 hours( if he was lucky) of labor. It's not like I drive an exotic BMW or live in an expensive city. I think I got hosed. Isn't it illegal to not post the labor charge on the wall per hour?
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Amount: $313.00 tune up
Posted by: Safari in Houston, TX.Purchased: March, 2008
Car Make: 2002 gmc van safariCar Model:
Hours of Labor: 3.5
The cheapest I could find everywhere else $600.00 plus Also did tiree rotation for same price! Texas Auto Masters 2319 N Shepherd Houston TX. 77008 832 352 4923
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Amount: $385.13 Tune-up
Posted by: tarhonda in Ojai, CA.Purchased: 2001
Car Make: ChevyCar Model: C1500 Pickup
For a tune-up and oil change: Labor 163.50, Parts 203.85
Whatever happened? I use to do my own tune-ups and oil changes for about $35. Wow...times have changed!
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Amount: $300.00 tuneup
Posted by: Kate in Duncanville`, TX.Purchased: 2008
Car Make: toyotaCar Model: camry
Hours of Labor: ?
this was the price I was given for work I'll have done next week- includes valve cover gasket replacement- from what I can see above, this is a ballpark figure, and on the low side.
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Amount: $327.66 Meineke Tune Up
Posted by: Diane Burtnett in Douglasville, GA.Purchased: March, 2008
Car Make: bmwCar Model: 2000 Z3
Hours of Labor: 1.5 for plugs-1.0 for engine scan
Is this normal? I paid $49.00 for engine scan which they said was 1.0 hour labor. Meineke said I needed a tune up -- which when I got home today, I noticed was JUST replacing spark plugs. 60 spark plus and 1.5 hour labor + 1 hour labor for engine scan ???? totaled $327.66
Isn't a "tune up" plugs, wires, air filter, and fuel filter.
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Amount: $153.00 tune up
Posted by: Jeff, 33 Years experiance 201-317-3999 in Lopatcong, NJ.Purchased: 2001
Car Make: toyotaCar Model: 4cyl
Hours of Labor: 1.2
I charged this person this amount to tune the car. I also changed the oil, filter and belt. As part of the tune up I load test the battery,starter and altenator.I also did a compression check and scanned the car for codes and checked the sensors. $36.00 of this price was a new belt. If you are getting a tune up Make sure it is complete. Also if she findes me another job I will refund $10.00.
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Amount: $292.00 tune up
Posted by: mlnsugar in bellingham, WA.Purchased: 2001
Car Make: fordCar Model: explorer
This amt. included new spark plugs, wires, oil change with new filter, new brake pads, serpentine belt, and a car wash. Parts: $174, labor $95
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