Tune-Up

What exactly is involved when a shop does a "tune-up." My car is soon to hit 80k on the odometer, and it is starting to have problems. The service engine light came on, and the car seems to be having a rough idle, Even my buddy (who himself drives a 5.0) noticed it in my car last night, he said "Is your idle always this rough?" I was told I should look into a tune up (due to cars age) but that would probally run me a couple hundred, could I just do it myself?

What exactly is involved when a shop does a "tune-up." My car is soon to hit 80k on the odometer, and it is starting to have problems. The service engine light came on, and the car seems to be having a rough idle, Even my buddy (who himself drives a 5.0) noticed it in my car last night, he said "Is your idle always this rough?" I was told I should look into a tune up (due to cars age) but that would probally run me a couple hundred, could I just do it myself?

It depends on the shop.... but I will tell you what I do every 50k miles, and I am a bit extreme...

1) Flush the radiator
2) Replace the thermostat
3) Replace all the hoses
4) Change the oil
5) Change the differentail fluid
6) Change the tranny fluid.
7) Change the serpentine belt
8) Replace all the spark plugs
9) Get the fuel injectors cleaned.
10) Change the fuel filter
11) Rotate the tires and check the tires.
12) Do my brakes.
13) Check the clutch adjustment
14) Check the exhaust system out (making sure nothing is loose)
15) Lube all the suspension parts.
16) Check the motormounts.
17) Check the battery
18) Check the alternator.
19) Get an alignment done.
20) Check my compression
21) Get a dyno
22) Replace my all my bulbs
23) Steam clean my engine,
24) Clean and wax my car.

That's it, but keep in mind I am a bit over board. Most people don't replace the hoses, or lightbulbs.

Never thanked you for this. Big thumbs up to you for listing it for me. My car is still running like a dog, so i need to do this. My buddy just paid for a tuneup on his civic and it cost him $400 on a 4cyl. Im afraid to see what I would be charged with a 8cyl. I guess im doing this all myself.

Alot of the work involved in a tuneup you can do yourself. It's more rewarding, and the majority of the price charged by a mechanic will be labor.

Alot of the work involved in a tuneup you can do yourself. It's more rewarding, and the majority of the price charged by a mechanic will be labor.
Well as much as Id love to do it anyway, it is my only choice. I cant afford to pay for it right now.