How often does a car need a tune up and what's the going rate for a tune up? The answers to these questions can vary widely and depend a lot on the year and male of your car or truck.
The word "tune up" is actually a dated word from the 70's. Nowadays it's called a diagnostic analysis. Most cars today are hooked up to a computer and checked that way. This will tell the whole story of your engine and show what needs repaired or replaced.
The good news is, most newer cars and light trucks don't need "tune ups" or components replaced as often as they did back in the 70's and 80's. It's possible to go 100,000 miles without even having your spark plugs replaced! That can save a lot of money over the life of your car.
The bad news is when something does need to be finally replaced, it costs quite a bit more money. This is because today's engines are more sealed and therefore harder to service. Special tools and knowledge are required to get spark plugs and other parts out and new ones installed.
More bad news is that the average car owner can't just pop open the hood to his car and fix or replace things as easily as 30 or 40 years ago. But there are a few things that a car owner can do himself or herself. Even if you don't do these things yourself, they should be check and replaced regularly. Here's a list of parts which should be checked and serviced often.
Air Filter
Motor Oil
Tires
Washer fluid
Battery
Also it's smart to take your car to a service professional whenever your "service engine" or other warning lights light up on your dashboard. This will help prevent smaller problems from becoming larger, more expansive problems.
Regarding the cost of car tune ups, this can vary widely depending on where you live and what type of car you own. A city with a high cost of living like Los Angeles will most likely have the highest tune up cost. It could cost $500 to $1,000 for a thorough tune up. A smaller town with a cheaper cost of living might only cost $100-$300.
The make of your car will also affect the cost of a tune up. A Ford or Chevy will be more affordable than a Mercedes or Jaguar.