How Much Does a Kia Tune-Up Cost?
Kia tune-ups cost about $400 and include filter, plug, and fluid replacements among other services.
Written by Katherine Duffy
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
A Kia tune-up costs about $400, but this price fluctuates depending on the model, your driving habits, location, and the auto shop you bring it to. Kia recommends you get a tune-up—which includes filter, plug, and fluid replacements—every 6,000-7,500 miles.
Recently, Kia has become known for its affordability and reliability across all models, scoring much better than competitors in the same class. However, even though you can rely on your Kia for years to come, you still need to bring your car in for regular tune-ups to make sure it's operating optimally.
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How much does a Kia tune-up cost?
The average cost of a Kia tune-up is about $400, but this cost might vary depending on your location, how often you drive your car, the exact model you have, and the mechanic you take your car to.
A basic tune-up on a
Kia Forte
can cost as little as $95, while a more comprehensive tune-up for a larger Kia model, such as the Kia Sedona
, can cost upwards of $500. Whether you need a simple spark plug replacement or a more rigorous routine tune-up on your car, it’s a good idea to get quotes from at least three different mechanics to get the best price at an auto shop you trust. If you want nothing but the best service and care with parts meant for your Kia, your best bet is to bring your car to your
local Kia dealership
for top-notch results. What does a Kia tune-up include?
A tune-up is just another term for the routine maintenance necessary to keep your car up and running in the best shape possible. When you bring your Kia in for a tune-up, expect your maintenance bill to include a combination (if not all) of the following services:
- Inspection and replacement of spark plugs, caps, engine filters, and air filters
- Inspection and replacement of fluids, belts, hoses, and other connections
- An engine vacuum test to detect air leaks
- A battery voltage check
- Exhaust emissions check to make sure that you’re up to EPA standards
- Scanning for OBD fault codes using the OBD-II scanner and other diagnostic equipment
MORE: How to pass emissions testing
How often should I get a Kia tune-up?
Depending on the model you drive, Kia recommends getting a tune-up every 6,000 to 7,500 miles. If you drive more than the average person, that’s equal to about every six months, but if you drive just as much as the average person, your routine tune-ups should happen about every nine months.
Remember, these are just guidelines—the exact amount of time between each tune-up is going to depend on your personal circumstances! Your car might be due for an oil change much earlier than it needs new brake pads or spark plugs, for example. If you’re not sure whether your car needs a tune-up yet, watch out for the following signs which usually indicate you need to bring your Kia in:
- Your gas mileage is decreasing
- Your vehicle is slower to accelerate than normal
- Difficulty starting your engine or other electronic malfunctions
- Weird noises are coming from the engine
MORE:
Kia lug pattern guide
Why do I need to tune up my Kia?
There are so many reasons to regularly tune up your Kia! To keep things short and sweet, you’ve narrowed down the top three reasons to keep up with tune-ups: improving performance, preventing major breakdowns, and staying safe.
- Improving performance: Your engine is a complex system of many different parts, so it’s no wonder that it needs regular checkups to make sure each component is working properly. Running on clean oil and fresh spark plugs keeps your fuel economy and engine power up to snuff. This helps you save money at the gas station and optimize your acceleration.
- Preventing breakdowns: A typical oil change for a Kia costs between $50-$60, which is considerably less than what it would cost to replace your engine at anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000. Bringing your car in for regular tune-ups can feel like a chore, but you’ll thank yourself down the line, especially once your car passes the 200,000-mile mark.
- Staying safe: One of the best reasons to take your car in for regular tune-ups is avoiding problems before they arise. If you’re on top of regular maintenance, it’s unlikely that your car will break down unexpectedly and set you back thousands of dollars.
MORE: How to tune up a car
How much does it cost to maintain a Kia?
RepairPal reports that Kia maintenance typically costs drivers a total of $474 annually, which is considerably lower than the industry average of $652 per year!
Thankfully, Kia’s most popular models all have annual maintenance costs under the industry average as well. Here’s how Kia’s top six models compare:
Whether you drive an affordable Rio or top-trim level Sedona, regular maintenance and tune-up costs should stay relatively low.
What’s covered under Kia’s maintenance plan?
Kia runs its own maintenance plan which helps Kia owners stay on top of their routine tune-ups at an affordable rate. One- to five-year pre-paid plans are available, and the plan includes two scheduled services per year. Here are the services included in each maintenance plan:
- Full synthetic oil and filter replacement
- Tire rotation
- Air filter replacement
- Cabin air filter replacement
- Brake fluid replacement
- Spark plug replacement
- High voltage system coolant
- Comprehensive multipoint inspection
In addition to this maintenance plan, Kia offers solid warranty plans on all of their vehicles:
- 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty
- 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty
- 5-year/100,000-mile limited anti-perforation warranty
Between Kia’s maintenance plan and generous warranties, you should be able to keep your tune-up costs low for years to come!
How to keep Kia maintenance costs down
Interested in further savings? Try out the following tips to keep your car in great shape:
- Drive safely: Instead of driving recklessly, following traffic laws, driving with caution, and avoiding unfinished roads can prolong your vehicle’s lifetime. These simple tricks add up when it comes to avoiding damage.
- Schedule regular maintenance checks: Performing regular maintenance on your Kia is a great way to save some money. While small repairs might add up, they definitely cost less than a major repair.
- Learn a few DIY repairs: You can do some of your Kia’s repairs at home if you don’t mind getting your hands a little dirty—that way, you won’t have to pay for a mechanic’s labor. An oil change at a repair shop can set you back $50 or more, but by doing it yourself, you’ll only need to pay for the new oil and oil filter.
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Keeping up with regular tune-ups isn’t the only way to save on car-related costs. Experts recommend that you re-shop for car insurance every six months to guarantee that you’re getting the best rate. Sounds like a lot of work? Don’t worry—
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FAQ
Are Kias expensive to repair?
Thankfully, Kias aren’t expensive to repair. The average Kia maintenance cost is $474 annually, which is much lower than the industry average of $652!
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Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.
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