car needs a tune up?

Question

a guy who lives by me came out and told me he could give me a tune up fairly cheaply, something like $25. how often does a car need this and can almost anyone do it? so should i let this person i don't know mess with my car or take it into the shop?

what he mentioned was changing the spark plugs, wires and cellinoids(sp?) the car is a 95 and would be worked on right in our parking lot. i've changed the air filter before. if spark plugs and wires aren't hard, he could do that, but what are cellinoids and do they need changing/cleaning?

Answer 1

do your self a favor,,and take it to a shop and ask them to check it to see if even need,s this done,,there usually is not a charge just to look at it,,if it is running fine,,and your gas mileage is ok,,i would,nt mess with it,,this guy could make it worse,,rather than better,it,s true a mild tune-up doesn't,t cost much,,then again it all depend,s on what all he say,s he is going to do,,always,s be cautious about thing,s like this,,he could be causing you to have to spend more money on it,,and naturally he is going to say ,,well those thing,s are probably just starting to go bad,,so be carefull,,if you trust him,,you still have to use your on judgment on this,,good luck with it,,i hope this help,s.

Answer 2

It all depends on what kind of car you have. If you solenoid isn't broke, don't fix it. How new is it? Most newer cars don't use caps and rotors anymore, so a simple tune up would be plugs and wires, possibly a fuel and air filter. If you use a precious metal plug like platinum, you should be able to go 60 to 100 thousand miles, depending on the plug. Copper core plugs are good for up to 40 thousand. Wires can very depending on make and quality. Oil every 3000 miles, air filter every 10,000 miles.

Answer 3

I have seen 25 dollar tune up ruin a car as the person doing it should not be doing it in the first place.

Go to a pro and avoid a lot of hassle. Not saying your "friend" CAN'T do the job .

Its like cutting hair ..who do you trust to do that and make it look nice .. hopefully not your neighbor?

My opinion on how often is
Plugs every 30K
Fuel filter every 30K
Plug wires every 50K
Air Filter every 25K
PCV every 25K
Cap and Rotor (if applicable) every 50K

Answer 4

It depends on what is going to get fixed. Plugs cost only about $2 each. filters vary depending on the car. i replace my plugs annually, unless Ive had a problem with the car ( they are so cheap, why clean and re-gap them?) I change filters when necessary, air filters when you cant see light through them, fuel filters every 30k, oil filters with the oil every 3000-4000 mi.

Just plugs in a shop will cost you $75 in my area for a 4 cyl., 100 for a 6 cyl., 125 for an 8 cyl.. most important at a shop, anytime you get your car fixed, make them explain what they are going to do until you understand, and even more important, ASK TO SEE THE OLD PARTS THEY REMOVED.. ITS YOUR RIGHT IN EVERY STATE IN THE COUNTRY... its the best thing you can do to prevent getting ripped off... that will immediately tell them that you a least know your rights... more likely that you know what to do if you are ripped off. File a complaint at the attorney generals office in your state... hope it helps

Answer 5

To a shop - EVEN then ASK about there Expertise on your type vehicle & look @ there certificates.Some new rice rockets only take 4 sparks plugs , so $25.00 is high unless you go platium.IF its a new car almost anyone CAN'T tune it up,Especially if there is a check engine light on.Wich takes a scanner to check out.Depending on the vehicle i would say between 25 & 35,000 maybe even 50.BUTT don't forget to keep the transmission fluid changed.

Answer 6

if its just spark plugs that sounds about right plugs usually run about 1.50-3.00 a peice depending on quality, then your also paying him for labor. for a full tune up $25 wont even cover the cost of parts. anyone who can turn a wrench most likely can do a minor tune up(plugs, wires, fuel and air filters). but if you cant find someone you know or trust to do it right i suggest you take it to a shop.

Answer 7

What did he say he'd do? just change spark plugs? That's not hard at all on some cars...not even 30 minutes if they're right on top. I change them about every 50K.

Answer 8

u only need 1 tune up per year depending on how the car is driven.. a tune up only consists of plugs, wires, (dist. cap,rotor) if it has one... that is all.. i have been at this for longer than i can remember 30 yrs...don't let someone u don't know mess with it!!!!!

Answer 9

Hey, BenH! if rose doesn't know if this guy is ripping her off, how will she know if the "old parts" he give/ shows her are even from "her' car?

Answer 10

he's probably not talking about your car :)