What Does a Charlotte AC Tune-Up Actually Cover and Cost?

Last updated: May 22, 2026

By the HVAC Pricing Guide Team

An AC tune-up in Charlotte costs $89 to $189 for a standard single-visit service in 2026, with most homeowners paying $120 to $150 for a thorough spring tune-up. Premium tune-ups that include chemical condenser coil cleaning, refrigerant pressure adjustment, and electronic leak testing run $180 to $300. Annual maintenance plans bundling a spring AC visit and a fall heating visit run $180 to $400. Charlotte's combination of heavy spring pollen, 70+ degree summer dew points, and a 5-month cooling season makes annual maintenance one of the highest-return HVAC expenses a Mecklenburg County homeowner can incur.

What is included in a Charlotte AC tune-up?

A proper AC tune-up in Charlotte is a multi-point inspection and cleaning protocol, not a glance-and-go visit. A NATE-certified technician should spend 60 to 90 minutes on a single-system home and 90 to 120 minutes on a two-system home. The work falls into four categories: electrical, mechanical, refrigerant, and airflow.

Electrical checks cover the contactor, capacitor, low-voltage controls, and disconnect. The technician measures capacitor microfarad capacitance against the rated value, looking for the 6% drop that signals impending failure. They check contactor pitting, tighten lugs at the disconnect, and verify amperage draw on both the compressor and condenser fan motor. Charlotte's humidity accelerates electrical corrosion, so connections in outdoor units near Lake Norman or in low-lying parts of Steele Creek and Pineville need more attention than units in drier yards inland.

Mechanical checks cover the compressor, condenser fan motor, blower wheel, and bearings. The condenser fan motor is one of the most failure-prone components in Charlotte's climate because it runs nearly continuously from May through September. The technician spins the fan freely, listens for bearing noise, and verifies the blades are balanced. Inside the air handler, the blower wheel gets inspected for pollen accumulation, which can reduce airflow by 15 to 30% if not cleaned annually.

Refrigerant pressure verification is where premium tune-ups separate from basic ones. A basic tune-up checks pressure with gauges and notes whether the system is within manufacturer specs. A premium tune-up includes a leak search using electronic detection or UV dye if the system is showing pressure drift. Charlotte AC systems running on R-410A that were installed before 2019 are aging into the leak-prone window, and refrigerant top-offs without leak repair are a temporary fix that costs $80 to $120 per pound in R-410A alone. Newer systems on R-454B or R-32 refrigerants follow the same maintenance protocol but with different pressure targets that an EPA 608-certified technician must reference.

Airflow checks cover the evaporator coil, condensate drain line, ductwork connections at the air handler, and the return air pathway. The condensate drain is particularly prone to clogging in Charlotte because of the high pollen and biological load. A clogged drain triggers the safety float switch and shuts the system off, often on the hottest day of the year. For deeper detail on drain line problems, see the condensate drain line cost guide.

Charlotte AC tune-up pricing by service tier

Charlotte tune-up pricing tracks the broader AC tune-up cost range nationally, with a slight 5% discount because of the high contractor density across the Charlotte-Mecklenburg market. Compare with the Charlotte HVAC cost overview for context on how tune-ups fit into your annual HVAC budget, and with the broader HVAC tune-up cost guide for heating-side pricing.

The pricing range reflects three variables: technician experience (NATE-certified technicians command more), the number of points covered (21-point vs 40-point inspections), and whether chemical cleaning is included. A $89 special is usually a loss-leader designed to find repair work, while a $230 premium service is structured to actually preserve equipment and rarely results in upsells.

One Charlotte-specific pricing quirk worth noting: tune-up rates rise 10 to 20% during the first two weeks of any heat wave because contractors prioritize emergency callouts and a tune-up scheduled then competes with paying emergency work. Booking in March or April locks in the lower base rate.

When to schedule an AC tune-up in Charlotte

Schedule your Charlotte AC tune-up between mid-March and late April. This window matches the end of pollen season's worst weeks and falls before the first 90-degree days that typically arrive in late May or early June. The reasoning is mechanical: you want the system cleaned and verified before it goes into 4 months of sustained operation, but late enough that the technician can verify cooling performance against a warm-enough outdoor ambient temperature (technicians need 65 degrees outdoor minimum to read accurate pressures).

Avoid the first two weeks of May. By then, the heat is here and Charlotte contractors are triple-booked on no-cool emergency calls. Tune-ups during peak season either get bumped or get rushed, neither of which serves you well. A March tune-up gets a thorough technician with time to investigate edge cases like a slow refrigerant leak or a marginal capacitor.

For homeowners with heat pumps rather than straight central AC, the same March-April window applies, with a second 30-minute heating-mode check in October or November. Heat pump tune-ups in Charlotte are slightly more involved because the reversing valve, defrost board, and auxiliary heat strips need separate verification. See the heat pump vs central AC comparison for context on which system you have and how the maintenance differs.

If you missed the spring window, late September after the heat breaks is the second-best time. By then the system has run hard for 4 months and any developing problems will show up in the readings. A late-September tune-up also lets you go into winter knowing the cooling side is ready for next year, and the contractor can pivot the same visit to a heating check on a heat pump.

Why Charlotte AC systems need annual tune-ups

Charlotte sits in IECC Climate Zone 4A, with a cooling season that runs roughly 5 months from mid-May through mid-October. The Charlotte-Douglas weather record shows 60 to 80 days at or above 90 degrees in a typical year, with humidity routinely above 75% during summer afternoons. A Charlotte AC system runs 1,800 to 2,400 hours per cooling season, which is 40 to 60% more runtime than a system in Atlanta or Raleigh and roughly double a Chicago system.

The high runtime is only the first stressor. The second is pollen load. Charlotte ranks in the top 25 US cities for spring allergen counts, with tree pollen (oak, pine, hickory) peaking from late March through early May and grass pollen running from May through July. The yellow film that coats cars in April coats your outdoor condenser coil too. Pollen-clogged coils force the compressor to run hotter, draw more current, and fail earlier. Homeowners in older Plaza Midwood or Myers Park neighborhoods with mature oak canopies see this worse than newer subdivisions in University City.

The third stressor is humidity. Charlotte's dew points sit above 70 degrees for much of June, July, and August, which means your evaporator coil is condensing 5 to 10 gallons of water per day. The condensate drain line, the evaporator coil itself, and the secondary drain pan all need verification annually because a single 24-hour drain backup can flood a closet, hallway, or attic. The AC leaking water guide walks through the typical Charlotte failure modes when this happens.

The fourth stressor is voltage and electrical wear. Charlotte's grid serves a fast-growing metro, and summer brown-outs or voltage sag during peak Duke Energy demand stress capacitors and contactors. The 6% capacitor degradation threshold that signals replacement gets hit faster in Charlotte than in milder markets. A homeowner who skips tune-ups and then sees a blown capacitor symptom typically pays $200 to $400 for the capacitor replacement plus the diagnostic fee, which dwarfs the tune-up cost they avoided.

The compounding effect: a Charlotte system that gets annual tune-ups typically reaches 15 to 18 years. A skipped-maintenance system in the same climate typically fails at 10 to 13 years. Across two replacement cycles, that difference is $8,000 to $12,000 in deferred equipment cost. The 3-ton HVAC replacement cost guide frames what that replacement actually involves.

Common issues found during Charlotte AC tune-ups

A NATE-certified technician working a Charlotte tune-up commonly finds one or more of these conditions even on systems the homeowner thought were fine. The frequency and pattern is specific to the Charlotte climate and housing stock.

Pollen-impacted condenser coils

By the end of pollen season, condenser coils in Charlotte yards near oaks, pines, or hickories are visibly yellow and matted. A coil this dirty can lose 15 to 25% of its capacity, which shows up as longer runtimes, higher Duke Energy bills, and a system that struggles on 95-degree days. A coil rinse with a non-acid coil cleaner restores most of the capacity for $40 to $80 in labor on top of the base tune-up. Chemical foam cleaning at $80 to $150 is warranted on systems older than 6 years or in yards with heavy tree canopy.

Low refrigerant from slow leaks

Charlotte AC systems installed between 2010 and 2015 are aging into their leak-prone window. R-410A leaks at flare fittings, service valves, and Schrader cores show up as 10 to 15% pressure drops year over year. A homeowner often does not notice until a 95-degree day exposes the deficit. Topping off R-410A at $80 to $120 per pound buys 6 to 18 months; finding and fixing the leak is the durable answer. For broader context on no-cool problems, see the AC not cooling house guide.

Failing capacitors

A start or run capacitor that has dropped from 45 microfarads to 41 microfarads is at the replacement threshold. The system still runs, but the compressor is drawing higher amps and the contactor is pitting faster. Catching this during a tune-up avoids the AC short cycling problem and the AC compressor cost replacement that follows compressor damage from prolonged hard-starting. Charlotte capacitors generally need replacement every 5 to 8 years, faster than the 10-year northern-climate norm.

Pitted or buzzing contactors

The contactor in a Charlotte outdoor unit handles thousands of cycles per cooling season. Pitting at the contact points produces audible buzzing, intermittent failure to engage, and occasional welding-shut events that lock the compressor on. A $25 part and 20 minutes during a tune-up avoids a $250 to $400 emergency callout in July. See the AC contactor replacement cost guide for the standalone repair pricing.

Clogged condensate drain lines

Pollen and biological growth in the condensate drain line trigger the safety float switch and shut the system off, usually on the hottest weekend of the year. A tune-up flush with a wet-vac and a treatment tablet prevents this for $20 to $40. Without the flush, the typical Charlotte emergency drain clear runs $150 to $250 and sometimes includes drywall damage from the overflow.

Frozen evaporator coils

Low refrigerant, dirty filters, or a failing blower motor can cause the evaporator coil to freeze into a block of ice. The system stops cooling, the homeowner switches it off, and the ice thaws into the secondary pan or onto the floor. Tune-ups catch the precursors before the freeze event. See the AC freezing up on outside unit guide if you have already seen the symptoms on your Charlotte system.

Aging blower motors and condenser fan motors

A Charlotte system at year 10 or 12 is approaching the blower and fan motor failure window. Bearing noise, slight wobble, or elevated amp draw are tune-up findings that let you plan the $400 to $900 blower motor cost or the $350 to $700 condenser fan motor cost replacement before a summer breakdown. A homeowner who learns about a failing fan motor in March has time to compare quotes; one who learns in July pays peak-season rates.

Loud or vibrating outdoor units

Unusual noise from an outdoor unit during a tune-up points to a worn fan bearing, a refrigerant restriction, or a failing compressor valve. The technician should isolate the source rather than handing the homeowner a generic "your compressor is going" diagnosis. The AC making loud noise guide breaks down what each noise actually means.

Maintenance plans vs single-visit tune-ups in Charlotte

Most Charlotte HVAC contractors offer two paths: a single-visit tune-up at $120 to $230, or an annual maintenance plan at $180 to $400 covering both a spring AC visit and a fall heat visit. The math favors the maintenance plan for most homeowners with one HVAC system.

A typical Charlotte maintenance plan includes:

• Priority dispatch with 4 to 24 hour response vs 3 to 7 days during peak season
• 10 to 15% discount on repairs and parts
• Waived diagnostic fees on service calls between visits
• Both spring AC and fall heat tune-ups bundled
• Documentation of inspections for resale disclosure and warranty claims
• Reminder scheduling so visits don't slip past the optimal window

For a homeowner with a 5-year-old system in good shape, the plan pays for itself if a single repair occurs in a given year. For a 10+ year old system, the plan virtually always saves money because some repair work happens annually. The breakeven calculation is straightforward: if the plan's repair discount and waived diagnostic fees sum to more than the plan's annual premium minus the single-visit tune-up cost, the plan wins.

The catch: a plan locks you to a single contractor, which means you give up the ability to compare quotes on larger repairs. A homeowner with a 13-year-old system facing a possible compressor replacement should think carefully about whether the plan's priority access is worth the loss of competitive pricing leverage on a $2,500 to $4,500 repair. The 3-ton HVAC replacement cost guide can frame whether replacement is more sensible than a major repair.

A reasonable Charlotte rule of thumb: take the maintenance plan for systems 5 to 10 years old. Take single-visit tune-ups for systems 0 to 4 years old (under warranty, repairs are mostly covered by the manufacturer) and for systems 11+ years old where you want to retain the option to switch contractors for replacement quotes.

How to find a reliable Charlotte HVAC contractor for tune-ups

North Carolina requires HVAC contractors to hold a license from the NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors. Every quote and invoice should show the license number; verify it on the board's website before any contractor enters your home. A contractor without an active H-1, H-2, or H-3 license cannot legally perform mechanical work in Charlotte or anywhere in North Carolina, and Mecklenburg County inspectors enforce this on permitted jobs.

Beyond the state license, look for NATE-certified technicians. NATE (North American Technician Excellence) is the industry's most rigorous voluntary certification. A NATE-certified technician has passed exams in core HVAC competencies and one or more specialty areas like air conditioning service or air distribution. EPA 608 certification is required for any technician handling refrigerant; ask for either Type II or Universal certification on the invoice. Contractors with ACCA Manual J load calculation experience add depth on the design side, which matters when a tune-up surfaces sizing problems on older Charlotte homes.

Ask three specific questions before booking:

1. How long does your tune-up take, and what is on the checklist? A real tune-up runs 60+ minutes per system. Anything 30 minutes or less is a sales call, not a service visit. Ask for the checklist in writing before the appointment.
2. What is your refrigerant top-off pricing per pound? Get the per-pound price for R-410A in writing before the visit. Charlotte ranges from $80 to $120 per pound. Anything above $150 per pound is a markup, not a market rate. R-454B and R-32 (the newer refrigerants on systems installed in 2025 and later) currently run higher because supply is still ramping.
3. What is your repair labor rate, and how is the diagnostic fee handled? Some Charlotte contractors waive the diagnostic if you authorize the repair; others charge separately. Know before you agree to a tune-up that might surface follow-up repair work.

Charlotte has both regional chains and independent contractors. Both can deliver excellent service. Independents are often more flexible on scheduling and pricing; chains have priority dispatch infrastructure that matters in July. Read recent reviews specifically for tune-up visits, not for emergency repairs; a contractor who does great emergency work might still run rushed tune-ups, and vice versa.

Red flags during a Charlotte tune-up visit:

• A technician who recommends $1,000+ in repairs after a $99 tune-up, especially on a system under 8 years old
• "Your refrigerant is low, you need a recharge" without any leak detection or pressure documentation
• A demand to replace the entire system based on a single tune-up finding rather than a separate quoting visit
• Refusal to leave a written diagnostic or to itemize the work
• Pricing that varies depending on how the homeowner reacts (a real price list does not move)
• Technicians who refuse to show their NC license number or NATE credential

For deeper issues that turn up during a tune-up, you may need a follow-up AC repair in Charlotte visit rather than trying to bundle major work into the tune-up appointment.

Duke Energy rebates and Charlotte HVAC incentives

Duke Energy Carolinas serves most of the Charlotte metro and runs the Smart Saver program, which has historically included rebates on qualifying high-efficiency HVAC equipment and, in some years, on professional tune-ups. Rebate availability and amounts change year to year; check duke-energy.com/smartsaver for current Charlotte offerings before booking. Outlying parts of Cabarrus, Union, and Iredell counties may be served by Duke Energy Progress or by EMC cooperatives like Union Power; check your bill to confirm.

Tune-up-specific rebates have ranged from $25 to $75 when offered, with the rebate paid after the contractor submits documentation. Equipment-replacement rebates have run $200 to $500 for high-SEER2 heat pumps and central AC systems meeting ENERGY STAR thresholds (SEER2 of 15.2 or higher for split systems). Some years there are no tune-up rebates and the program focuses entirely on equipment replacement; the on-and-off pattern is normal for utility incentive programs.

Even without a Duke Energy rebate, the energy savings from a proper tune-up typically pay for the visit within 4 to 6 weeks of peak cooling. A pollen-clogged coil can drive a Charlotte summer Duke Energy bill 15 to 25% higher than a clean one. On a $250 July bill, that is $40 to $60 per month in unnecessary spend, which exceeds the tune-up cost in under three months.

The federal Inflation Reduction Act 25C tax credit for high-efficiency HVAC equipment (up to $2,000 for heat pumps, $600 for central AC meeting CEE Tier 2) remains relevant on the replacement side but does not apply to tune-ups. If a tune-up reveals a system that should be replaced, factor the 25C credit into the replacement math.

Charlotte neighborhood factors that affect tune-ups

Different parts of the Charlotte metro present different tune-up conditions. Knowing the typical issues in your area helps you ask the right questions and helps the technician prioritize.

Ballantyne, Blakeney, and South Charlotte have a lot of 1990s-2010s construction with builder-grade Goodman, Rheem, and York equipment now aging into the failure window. Tune-ups in these neighborhoods often catch failing condenser fan motors and capacitors. Mature landscaping means heavy pollen and leaf debris on outdoor units.

University City and the Northlake area have newer construction with mostly 2010s equipment. Pollen impact is moderate, but new-construction ductwork in some developments has chronic leak issues that the tune-up should flag for sealing or for air duct cleaning consideration if rodent or biological growth is also present.

Plaza Midwood, NoDa, Dilworth, and Myers Park have older bungalows and craftsman homes, often with retrofitted central AC. Air handlers in cramped attics, undersized return ducts, and original-to-the-1990s equipment all show up regularly. Tune-ups in these neighborhoods often reveal sizing or ductwork mismatches that no amount of cleaning will solve, plus the heavier pollen load from mature street trees.

Steele Creek, Lake Wylie, and the southwest sector have a mix of 2000s subdivisions and lakefront properties. Lakefront homes deal with higher humidity loads and more corrosion on outdoor units. Tune-ups here should include extra attention to the condenser coil fins and the cabinet itself for rust. Coastal-grade equipment is overkill on Lake Norman but worth specifying on full-replacement quotes if your unit sits directly on the waterfront.

Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, and Lake Norman have larger homes, often with two- or three-system setups. Tune-ups on multi-system homes are scheduled together to reduce trip fees; expect a 90 to 150-minute visit and pricing in the $200 to $350 range for two systems same day. Trane and Carrier dominate the equipment mix in these zip codes.

Matthews, Indian Trail, and the southeast suburbs have heavy 2000s construction. The 15 to 20-year-old systems in these neighborhoods are at the decision point: continue tune-ups and patches, or replace. Honest tune-up technicians will frame this conversation directly rather than padding the invoice with a long list of small repairs that will not extend useful life.

Concord, Kannapolis, and the Cabarrus County side are slightly cheaper for tune-ups (5 to 10% below central Charlotte rates) because contractor density is lower and overhead is less. The same NC licensing and NATE certification standards apply.

Identifying your system age before scheduling a tune-up

Knowing your system's age changes the tune-up conversation. A 4-year-old system gets a basic preventive checkup; a 14-year-old system warrants a thorough inspection with replacement planning. The model and serial number on the outdoor unit data plate decode the manufacture year. Use the Carrier HVAC age decoder or Daikin HVAC age decoder for those brands, or check the data plate directly using the embedded tool:

If the system is 12+ years old and showing repair signs, run the numbers on whether continued tune-ups and repairs make sense versus replacement:

Common repairs that follow Charlotte AC tune-ups

A thorough tune-up sometimes finds problems that need repair. The most common follow-ups in Charlotte, with typical installed pricing:

• Capacitor replacement ($180 to $400 installed). Same-visit work, 20 minutes of labor.
• Contactor replacement ($150 to $300 installed). Same-visit work.
• Condensate drain repair ($150 to $400). Same-visit on clogs, multi-visit on full line replacement.
• Refrigerant leak repair ($350 to $1,500). Requires leak isolation, brazing or fitting replacement, and EPA 608-compliant recovery and recharge.
• Blower motor replacement ($400 to $900 installed). Usually next-visit work because the motor is often a special order.
• Condenser fan motor replacement ($350 to $700 installed). Often same-visit if the contractor stocks the motor.
• Coil chemical cleaning ($120 to $300). Same-visit upgrade from a basic rinse.
• Thermostat replacement ($150 to $450 installed). Often paired with a tune-up if the existing stat is more than 8 years old.

A reasonable Charlotte tune-up that finds two of these issues will produce a written quote with itemized parts and labor, not a same-visit pressure pitch. Walk away from any contractor who refuses to leave you with documentation and time to consider, and get a second quote on any single repair over $750.

Frequently asked questions about Charlotte AC tune-ups

How much does an AC tune-up cost in Charlotte?

A standard AC tune-up in Charlotte costs $89 to $189, with most homeowners paying $120 to $150 for a thorough single-visit service in 2026. Premium tune-ups that include chemical coil cleaning, refrigerant pressure adjustment, and electronic leak testing run $180 to $300. Annual maintenance plans bundling a spring AC visit and a fall heating visit run $180 to $400.

What is included in a Charlotte AC tune-up?

A proper Charlotte AC tune-up covers electrical checks (capacitor microfarad test, contactor inspection, amp draw), mechanical checks (compressor, blower wheel, fan motor bearings), refrigerant pressure verification, and airflow checks including the condensate drain line. NATE-certified technicians spend 60 to 90 minutes per system. Anything finished in under 30 minutes is a sales call, not a tune-up.

When is the best time to schedule an AC tune-up in Charlotte?

Schedule between mid-March and late April. The window falls after the worst of pollen season ends and before the first 90-degree days arrive in late May. Avoid early May because contractors are already booked solid on no-cool emergency calls. A late September tune-up after the heat breaks is the second-best option.

How often does my Charlotte AC need a tune-up?

Once per year is the minimum for any Charlotte central AC or heat pump. Charlotte's 1,800 to 2,400 hours of annual cooling runtime, heavy spring pollen load, and summer humidity put more wear on equipment than systems in milder climates. Homes near oaks or pines and homes on Lake Norman benefit from a mid-summer coil rinse on top of the spring visit.

Are AC tune-ups worth it in Charlotte's climate?

Yes. A Charlotte AC system that gets annual tune-ups typically reaches 15 to 18 years, while a skipped-maintenance system in the same climate fails at 10 to 13 years. Across two replacement cycles, that difference is $8,000 to $12,000 in deferred equipment cost. Tune-ups also catch capacitor and contactor wear before they cause peak-season failures.

Does Duke Energy offer rebates for AC tune-ups in Charlotte?

Duke Energy Carolinas runs the Smart Saver program for Charlotte customers. Tune-up rebates have ranged from $25 to $75 in years when they were offered, paid after contractor documentation is submitted. Equipment-replacement rebates for high-SEER2 heat pumps and AC systems have run $200 to $500. Availability changes year to year; check duke-energy.com/smartsaver before booking.

What is the difference between a basic and premium AC tune-up in Charlotte?

A basic tune-up at $89 to $150 covers visual inspection, gauge-based refrigerant check, and surface cleaning. A premium tune-up at $180 to $300 adds chemical coil cleaning, blower wheel cleaning, electronic leak detection if pressure is drifting, and a documented multi-point report. For systems older than 8 years, premium pays for itself by catching slow leaks before they require emergency refrigerant top-offs.

Can Charlotte pollen actually damage my AC?

Yes. Charlotte ranks in the top 25 US cities for spring allergens, with oak, pine, and hickory pollen peaking from late March through early May. The yellow film that coats cars also coats outdoor condenser coils. A pollen-clogged coil can lose 15 to 25% of its capacity, force the compressor to run hotter, and shorten equipment life by 2 to 4 years.

Should I sign up for an HVAC maintenance plan in Charlotte?

Maintenance plans work well for systems aged 5 to 10 years. The plan bundles spring AC and fall heating tune-ups, adds priority dispatch during peak season, and gives 10 to 15% repair discounts. For systems under warranty (under 5 years) or systems approaching replacement (11+ years), single-visit tune-ups often serve you better because you retain quote-shopping flexibility for major repairs.

What licenses should my Charlotte HVAC tune-up technician have?

The contractor must hold an active H-1, H-2, or H-3 license from the NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors (verify at nclicensing.org). The technician should hold EPA 608 Type II or Universal certification to handle refrigerant. NATE certification on top of those is a meaningful quality signal that distinguishes a career technician from a seasonal hire.

Will an AC tune-up lower my Duke Energy bill?

A pollen-clogged coil and aging capacitor combination can push a Charlotte summer Duke Energy bill 15 to 25% higher than a clean, well-tuned system. On a $250 July bill, that is $40 to $60 per month of unnecessary spend. A $130 tune-up typically pays for itself within the first 90-degree month of cooling season.

What if my AC needs repairs during the tune-up?

A reasonable contractor delivers a written diagnosis with itemized pricing and gives you time to decide. Same-visit work like capacitor or contactor replacement is fair to bundle. Major work like coil replacement or refrigerant leak isolation deserves a separate appointment and quote shopping. Walk away from any technician who demands an immediate decision on $1,000+ in repairs after a $99 tune-up.