How Much Does a Subaru Tune-Up Cost?
The average Subaru tune-up cost is between $200 and $300 for a basic service.
Written by David Ghanizadeh-Khoob
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
The average Subaru tune-up costs between $200 and $300. This estimate is for a basic tune-up, including the replacement of spark plugs, but not an oil change. Subaru recommends you have a tune-up performed every six months or 5,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Staying up to date with regular maintenance is one of the best things you can do to extend your Subaru’s lifespan. An essential part of that is getting regular tune-ups to ensure your fluids, filters, and spark plugs are fresh and not causing undue wear on your engine.
That’s why
Jerry
, the super app for car insurance
, has put together the essential information for helping you understand how much it should cost to maintain your Subaru in this car repair
guide. We will go over a Subaru tune-up cost, what’s included in a tune-up, and average maintenance costs for popular Subarus. Are you overpaying for your car insurance?
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How much does a Subaru tune-up cost?
The average Subaru tune-up cost is between $200 and $300. This number can, of course, vary considerably depending on how many parts need replacing. The price can get especially high if the inspection finds some components need service beyond the typical tune-up.
It is not unheard of for a tune-up to end up costing well over $500 if your Subaru is older or if you have been neglecting your regular maintenance schedule. Because of this, you should compare prices from a few shops beforehand instead of just taking your car to the nearest shop or dealership.
While taking your Subaru into a
dealership
will usually be more expensive than your local auto shop, there are benefits. For one, you know the mechanics at Subaru dealerships have a lot of experience working on Subarus and access to OEM parts. Also, if you still have a complimentary maintenance plan, you’ll need to go to a dealership to take advantage of it.What does a Subaru tune-up include?
“Tune-up” is just a catch-all term for the routine checks and maintenance required to keep your car running at peak performance. The following services are some of the most common performed during a tune-up:
- Inspection and replacement of spark plugs, caps, engine filters, and air filters
- Inspection and replacement of fluids, belts, hoses, and other connections
- A vacuum test to check for leaks in your engine
- A battery voltage check and inspection of its connectors
- Exhaust emissions check to ensure you’re up to EPA standards
- An OBD-II scan for fault codes
MORE: How to tune up a car
How often should I get a Subaru tune-up?
Subaru recommends taking your car for a basic tune-up every 5,000 miles or every six months, whichever comes first. One effective strategy is to get a tune-up done each time you change your oil.
More comprehensive tune-ups can be done less frequently. Spark plug inspections, for example, can be done every 10,000 to 12,000 miles. Additionally, if you are between tune-up intervals, or if it has been a while, you should consider taking your Subaru to the shop if you notice the following signs:
- Check engine lightturns on
- Decreases in gas mileage
- Slower acceleration
- Difficulties starting your car or other electrical issues
- Strange sounds coming from the engine bay.
Why do I need to tune-up my Subaru?
- Improve performance: Replacing old fluids and filters can increase your car’s performance by a surprising amount. A tune-up can increase fuel efficiency by up to 10%, saving you money.
- Prevent bigger problems: Running your vehicle with old fluids, filters, and lubricants causes excessive wear on other components, potentially creating bigger problems. A detailed tune-up might cost $400, but a new engine can put you back well over $4,000.
- Prevent breakdowns: In a similar vein, by helping to prevent larger issues from building up, tune-ups can help prevent your car from breaking down, keeping you safe and saving you the time and stress of dealing with a car stranded on the highway.
How much does it cost to maintain a Subaru?
According to RepairPal, the average annual cost to maintain a Subaru is $617per year, compared to the average of $652 across manufacturers.
Each Subaru model has differences in reliability and average repair costs. Here is a comparison of the average annual maintenance costs for five of the most common Subaru models:
What’s covered under Subaru’s complimentary maintenance plan?
There’s good news for anyone that just bought a new Subaru or is in the market for one: you might not have to pay for any maintenance for two years!
With Subaru’s complimentary maintenance plan, new Subaru owners can get free maintenance for 24,000 miles or two years. During that period, you can get free oil changes, filter changes, tire rotations, inspections, and more.
New Subarus also come with a standard warranty to cover the cost of repairs for the first few years of ownership. Subaru’s standard warranties include:
- 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty
- 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain limited warranty
- 3-year/36,000-mile wear item limited warranty
- 5-year rust perforation limited warranty
- 3-year/36,000-mile roadside assistance
If you want to extend the time and mileage of your warranty, you can always tack on an extended warranty, giving you added peace of mind on the road.
MORE: Six pros and cons of extended car warranties
How to keep Subaru maintenance costs down
Some behavioral practices can help reduce maintenance costs over time. Here are a few tips to consider:
- Practicesafe driving: Making a few small changes to the way you drive can compound and make a big difference to your car’s health. Doing things like accelerating and braking slowly and avoiding rough roads are a few places to start.
- Stay up-to-date with regular maintenance: Following a maintenance schedule and dealing with repairs quickly can seriously reduce wear and tear on your engine and other components.
- Try to do DIY repairs when possible: Of course, the more you repair yourself, the more you can save on repairs. While you shouldn’t do any repairs you aren’t confident with, learning a few simple services can go a long way.
Save money on your car insurance with Jerry
Much like you can reduce repair costs with regular car maintenance, you can save money on your insurance with regular policy maintenance. With
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FAQ
Are Subarus expensive to repair?
Subarus tend to be more expensive to repair than other non-luxury vehicles. This is because replacement parts are more expensive than competitive brands like Honda or Ford.
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