How Much Does a Toyota Tune-Up Cost?
On average, a Toyota tune-up costs between $300 and $600, although the exact cost will largely depend on the specific model and model year.
Written by Andrew Biro
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
On average, you can expect to pay somewhere between $300 and $600 for a
Toyota
tune-up, depending on your vehicle model and submodel. Toyota recommends scheduling a tune-up—which usually includes spark plug, oil filter, and fluid replacements—after every 25,000 to 50,000 miles.Regular tune-ups are a great way to keep your Toyota running at its best, but it's crucial to know how much money to set aside for them when they're needed. That’s why licensed
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How much does a Toyota tune-up cost?
For the most part, you can expect a Toyota tune-up to cost between $300 and $600, but the specific price will largely be influenced by your exact vehicle model, location, and the actual mechanic you go to.
If you decide to go with just the basic engine tune-up, you may pay as little as $100—but a more involved tune-up for a truck or midsize SUV may cost closer to $650 - $700.
In any case, it's advised to obtain at least two or three quotes before selecting the best mechanic for you. Local auto repair shops typically offer better prices on parts, but your closest Toyota dealership will have the best OEM replacement parts and vehicle-specific knowledge.
What does a Toyota tune-up include?
For the most part, the general rule is that a tune-up keeps your car operating smoothly for as long as possible—check below for a list of services you can anticipate each time you bring your Toyota in for a tune-up:
- Inspection and replacement of air filters, spark plugs, engine filters, and caps
- A battery voltage check
- An engine vacuum test to check for air leaks
- An exhaust emissions test to make sure you’re meeting EPA standards
- Inspection and replacement of belts, fluids, hoses, and other connections
How often should I get a Toyota tune-up?
Depending on your driving habits, Toyota advises that you have a full tune-up performed on your car every 25,000 to 50,000 miles, or every four to seven years. And though a thorough tune-up isn't necessary every year, you still need to change your oil, oil filter, and other fluids at the recommended intervals.
Despite this, there isn't really a set period of time for tune-ups that applies to everyone. Always pay attention to what your car is telling you because you might need servicing sooner than you think. The following are telltale signs that your Toyota needs to see a mechanic:
- Your car won’t start, or you’re experiencing other electronic malfunctions
- Strange noisescan be heard from under the hood
- Your car is accelerating slowly
Why do I need to tune up my Toyota?
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of reasons why you should get a Toyota tune-up, but we've chosen to focus on the three most important ones: preventing breakdowns, enhancing vehicle performance, and staying safe.
- Breakdown prevention: Most people would rather spend $45 on routine oil changes than $5,000 or more on an engine replacement. And while taking your Toyota in for routine maintenance every few months may seem trivial, it's the best way to prevent expensive breakdowns and subsequent repairs.
- Enhancing vehicle performance: Your Toyota won't function as it should if you're driving with dirty oil, depleted differential fluid, and worn-out spark plugs. This may lead to decreased fuel economy, a loss of power, or even poor handling—none of which are desirable. One of the best ways to minimize gas costs and maximize your Toyota's performance is to keep up with routine maintenance for your vehicle.
- Staying safe: Regular tune-ups reduce the likelihood of something going wrong while you're driving down the highway, such as an overheating engine, an engine misfire, etc., is reduced, which lowers the possibility of an accident or collision.
MORE: How to tune up a car
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How much does it cost to maintain a Toyota?
According to RepairPal, it only costs $441 per year to maintain a Toyota, which is significantly lower than the $652 per year industry average.
That said, the exact amount you’ll spend on maintenance and upkeep largely depends on your vehicle model and model year—after all, not every model experiences the same issues, so you could end up paying higher or lower.
To put this into perspective, let’s take a look at how five of the most popular Toyota models compare to one another.
Ultimately, maintaining a Toyota over the course of a year is going to be much cheaper than it is for many other popular automotive brands.
Does Toyota offer a complimentary maintenance plan?
Yes! Every car, truck, or SUV purchased from Toyota is automatically enrolled in ToyotaCare, a maintenance and roadside assistance plan that covers normal factory scheduled maintenance free of charge for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Maintenance services included under ToyotaCare include:
- Tire rotation
- Fluid level inspection and adjustment
- Oil and oil filter changes
- Multi-point inspection
You will receive regular maintenance reminders from Toyota at the 5,000, 10,000, 15,000, 20,000, and 25,000-mile marks, so be sure to keep a lookout and take full advantage of these free scheduled maintenance sessions.
How to keep Toyota maintenance costs down
Fortunately, there are ways to keep your Toyota’s maintenance costs to a minimum—consider trying out a few of the tips below to lower your vehicle’s annual expenses:
- Practice safe driving: Your suspension, tires, and engine will last longer if you take care todrive carefully. This includes such things as going over speed bumps and railroad tracks slowly, avoiding potholes, and not making sharp turns.
- Keep a regular maintenance schedule: It might seem obvious, but one of the simplest ways to reduce car expenses is to follow a regular maintenance schedule—after all, a few minor repairs are much less expensive to fix than one major mechanical problem.
- Learn to maintain things yourself: While we don't advise performing complex engine or electrical repairs at home, learning some simple car maintenance techniques—like how to change your Toyota's oil and oil filter—is a quick way to save a couple hundred dollars a year.
MORE:
Car Loan for Toyota 2022
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FAQs
Are Toyotas expensive to repair?
Generally speaking, Toyota’s are not that expensive to repair and have lower yearly maintenance costs than most vehicles. This is largely due to the high availability of replacement parts and the fact that Toyota has a reputation for being extremely durable.
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