What exactly do they do for a car tune-up and the estimated cost for a '97 Saturn?

Question

they charge that much?! I thought they did more mechanical "stuff." I changed my spark plugs ($10) Oil change ($35) Air Filter ($12) I already changed fuel filter for ($50) Radiator Flush ($35) I have a standard so I don't need that transmission stuff. I got all this done about 5 months ago (except oil (earlier)) Total = $142!

Thanks guys, I didn't know they just do that. My engine revs soooo high when it first starts and the engine rocks back and forth when I am at a stopped at a light... (lightly) I thought a tune up would help.

Answer 1

You can pay as much as $550 for maintenance for your Saturn, if it hits the 30K, 60K, or 90K mile service schedule.

However, you can also explain the issue you are having with the car and tell them you want them to identify the rough or high idle not do the normal process of change your oil, check the hoses, the brakes, the alignment, etc.

If you are comfortable changing the oil, flushing the radiator, checking the brake pads, and such yourself, then you may want to invest in getting a product like AutoTap diagnostic software.

I think the software is under $100 and you can hook up your car to a laptop computer, drive it around, and it will gather statistics from the computer on engine idle, revs, fuel consumption, power status, etc. Works using the standard OBD II interface on the dash below the steering wheel.

You can either figure out what may be wrong and try to get that area fixed, or provide all the collected data to your dealer or repair shop and it will help them identify the cause more accurately.

Answer 2

Spark plugs, Oil change, Oil Filter, Air Filter, Fuel Filter, Transmission Filter, Flushed Radiator, New coolant, New Transmission Oil, Cost should be about $600 dollars depending on labor and the parts they use.

Answer 3

Check out the saturn website... it has the maintenance schedule based upon mileage.

The most expensive one is the the one where they change spark plugs at 30K, 90K and 150K miles: $515 + Tax (see link below)

90,000 Mile Service

Change engine oil and filter
Inspect brake system and rotate tires
Service automatic transaxle, change filter and fluid, (if so equipped)
Fuel injection service and change fuel filter(Filter change for 1997 and earlier only)
Replace spark plugs and air filter
Inspect vacuum lines and hoses and EGR system
Inspect fuel tank, cap, pipes, and hoses

Answer 4

the saturn, seems like it'd give you the least problems and money hassle