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How to Pay for a Tune-Up and Ignition Service

How to · Auto

How to Pay for a Tune-Up and Ignition Service

Fix that engine stutter and handle the $450 bill with a plan that costs $30 a month.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $450 before anything else
Across the 0% window $30.00/mo 15 months, no interest

How we got that: $450 spread evenly across the 15-month introductory window on the Discover it® Cash Back. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Cars are great until they start acting up. A stuttering engine usually means your spark plugs or ignition coils are failing. It is a routine fix, but the $450 price tag can feel like a lot when it comes out of nowhere. Most shops charge a premium for parts they have sitting on the shelf.

You can usually find the best labor rates in the middle of the week when shops are less busy. Negotiate the labor first, then look at how you handle the payment. Breaking the cost into monthly chunks makes the maintenance easier to swallow than a single lump sum.

The 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers is a tool to buy you time, not a way to ignore the bill. If you still have a balance after 15 months, the standard interest rate kicks in on whatever is left. Pay the $30.00 a month to make sure you finish on time.

The steps

  1. 01

    Get labor-only quotes

    Call three local shops for a labor-only quote. Many mechanics will let you bring your own parts if you ask nicely. This avoids the 20% to 50% markup shops put on spark plugs and coils.

  2. 02

    Buy the parts yourself

    Look up your car's specific part numbers on a site like RockAuto or Amazon. Buying the set of plugs and coils yourself ensures you get the quality you want. You can often save $100 just by doing the shopping yourself.

  3. 03

    Use a 15-month window

    Put the $450 service on the Discover it® Cash Back (Discover). It has a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. If you pay $30.00 per month, you will be done before the interest starts.

  4. 04

    Schedule for a Tuesday

    Book your appointment for a Tuesday or Wednesday. These are the slowest days for most mechanics. They are more likely to give you a break on the labor rate just to keep their bays full while everyone else is at work.

  5. 05

    Inspect the old parts

    Ask the mechanic to show you the old parts. Worn plugs tell a story about how your engine is running. If they look oily or burnt, you might have other issues to plan for down the road.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Discover it® Cash Back carries the date a person verified it against Discover and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Discover it® Cash Back terms →

Common questions

Why is my car shaking?

It is likely a misfire. When a spark plug or coil fails, a cylinder stops firing correctly, which makes the whole engine vibrate.

Should I change all the coils at once?

Yes, we recommend it. If one coil failed, the others are usually right behind it since they have the same mileage and wear.

Can I drive with a misfire?

Not for long. Unburnt fuel can melt your catalytic converter, turning a $450 fix into a $2,000 nightmare.

How long does the service take?

Most shops can swap plugs and coils in about two hours. It is a standard job that any general mechanic can handle.