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Got a Car Tune-up, did I pay too much?

I

ironk

Senior member
Its a 01 Hyundai Accent 31,000 miles.

Here is what they charged:

Parts:

3 Engine Belts : $75
4 Spark Plugs: $28
1 Set of plug wires: $80

Total for parts: $183

Labor:

Check Brakes and clean/lube them: $60
Tune Vehicle (plugs + wires): $120
Clear Engine codes: $75 (Car had check engine light, one of the plugs was mifiring).
Replace 3 Engine belts: $90

Total for Labor: $345

Grand Total (parts+labor): $528+tax

So does above look about the average price for this type of tune up? This is from a local mechanic, the dealer was charging a similar price (around $450 to $500).

Thanks.
 
interesting, I've been debating whether to get the 30,000 mile service for my Hyundai Sonata as well.
 
I am surprised at how comparable the dealer price was. If the prices are close, I will typically go to the dealer.
 
The price for parts seems alright...a bit on the high side, but not rape.

The labor, on the other hand, was absolute rape. A brake check should not cost $60, replacing 3 belts should not cost $90, I guarantee you nothing was tuned, and $120 is ridiculous to install spark plugs/wires.

But the absolute worst violation of all was the $75 for the engine code clearing. That literally takes 2 seconds, hell, I have a $150 gadget that can scan, clear codes, and do a million other things.

Not to mention you absolutely do not need new plug wires after 30k.
 
Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
what belts ?

labor is always the killer though
Click to expand...

The engine belts, you know the ones that connect the alternator and all those other "pulleys". So, i guess its the "main" belts.

 
Originally posted by: BD2003
The price for parts seems alright...a bit on the high side, but not rape.

The labor, on the other hand, was absolute rape. A brake check should not cost $60, replacing 3 belts should not cost $90, I guarantee you nothing was tuned, and $120 is ridiculous to install spark plugs/wires.

But the absolute worst violation of all was the $75 for the engine code clearing. That literally takes 2 seconds, hell, I have a $150 gadget that can scan, clear codes, and do a million other things.

Not to mention you absolutely do not need new plug wires after 30k.
Click to expand...

Around here all of the auto parts stores rent code readers for free. You plug it in and can clear it with the push of a button.
 
Originally posted by: ironk
Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
what belts ?

labor is always the killer though
Click to expand...

The engine belts, you know the ones that connect the alternator and all those other "pulleys". So, i guess its the "main" belts.
Click to expand...

serpentine/accessories belt I think they call them, so what were the other two...

as for just CLEARING the codes, you can do that FREE at autozone yourself. They let you borrow there scanner for two seconds and you plug it in and clear it, done! that was a waste of money there.
 
Was the labor charged at an hourly rate or did they charge you per job performed? It usually says on the receipt paperwork somewhere. I think they ripped you on the labor because the whole thing probably took no more than 2 hours but they probably charged you an hours worth of labor minimum for each job or something.
 
well, if its a "labor rape" where do you guys go to do this kind of maintenance? Besides doing it yourself?
 
Originally posted by: ironk
well, if its a "labor rape" where do you guys go to do this kind of maintenance? Besides doing it yourself?
Click to expand...

friends... make a 'day' out of it, it can be fun working on your car with a friend, and you learn a thing or two.

Originally posted by: sumguy1
Was the labor charged at an hourly rate or did they charge you per job performed? It usually says on the receipt paperwork somewhere. I think they ripped you on the labor because the whole thing probably took no more than 2 hours but they probably charged you an hours worth of labor minimum for each job or something.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the dealership!
 
yes you got ripped. Would have closer to $75 had you done it yourself like a real man.

$28 for 4 plugs? Thats rediculous as bosch plats are $1.75 each.
 
Originally posted by: BD2003

Not to mention you absolutely do not need new plug wires after 30k.
Click to expand...

I'd tend to agree normally however he did say the car was a 2001 model which would make it 6 years old. Age of components is something else to consider besides just mileage of the car. Things like belts and hoses and wires and stuff can become brittle or corrode with age even if you only drive a car 10 miles per week. Considering the age of the car, if none of this stuff had ever been done before, maybe he didn't get ripped off too bad.
 
Originally posted by: ironk
well, if its a "labor rape" where do you guys go to do this kind of maintenance? Besides doing it yourself?
Click to expand...

To a place that isnt comparable to the rates that dealers charge.

It sounds like you just went into the place asking for a "tune-up", not really sure what you need. Thats just asking for trouble unless your mechanic is very, very honest (they do exist). Never go to a mechanic for routine stuff unless you know exactly what you need. Just follow your manual's schedule and you'll be fine.

Hell, I've never even heard of a "brake check/lube".

Unless you know your way around a car, theres not much you'll be able to do. But its surprising how "honest" mechanics become if you go in there actually knowing what you're talking about. If theyre not sure they can screw you, they usually wont try.
 
Originally posted by: Rage187
yes you got ripped. Would have closer to $75 had you done it yourself like a real man.

$28 for 4 plugs? Thats rediculous as bosch plats are $1.75 each.
Click to expand...

Guys, can you all please not say things like "like a real man". Not everyone can do car repairs, and if you can, than more power to you. I totally understand what you're saying, but majority do not do this by themselves.

 
You got hosed. Seems a bit expensive for plug wires, too (assuming it's a 4 cylinder). Labor seems more realistically 2 hours at the most (then again, I guess it depends on how much of a PITA some of the stuff is on that car).
 
It sounds like you just went into the place asking for a "tune-up", not really sure what you need.
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I did.

Hell, I've never even heard of a "brake check/lube".
Click to expand...

Thats something I asked him to do, the brakes hadn't been checked like forever and I had started to hear squeaks so i just wanted to make sure.
 
Originally posted by: sumguy1
Originally posted by: BD2003

Not to mention you absolutely do not need new plug wires after 30k.
Click to expand...

I'd tend to agree normally however he did say the car was a 2001 model which would make it 6 years old. Age of components is something else to consider besides just mileage of the car. Things like belts and hoses and wires and stuff can become brittle or corrode with age even if you only drive a car 10 miles per week. Considering the age of the car, if none of this stuff had ever been done before, maybe he didn't get ripped off too bad.
Click to expand...

Well, the point is, even if he did need those things (which we'll never know), he got raped.

I usually bring my own parts to my mechanic. Labor for changing a belt, replacing tranny oil and rotating the tires was about $50, which I knew before I actually let him touch it.

At the very least, next time get an estimate and a full list of what theyre going to do, and shop around.
 
I am debating the same thing as well. My Honda dealership will charge me $330 for 30,000 mile service (oil,oil filter,tire rotation,wheel balancing,service transmission fluid,replace spark plugs (non-plat), replace HEPA filter, a whole bunch of "inspects")

Honda also recommend I get a fuel injection service and a DWD2 A/C service.. ($100 each I think). so about $500 total.. I might call a few garages and see how much they charge.

Something I read online was to have my car serviced at Honda until warranty is over and then go to an indy garage.

Any advice?

 
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