What exactly do they do in a car tune up?

Tune ups generally involve changing the spark plugs and wires, changing the oil and the oil filter, and replacing the air filter. I would think one mechanic can do just as well as another, given these fairly easy tasks. My only recommendation would be to take it to someone you trust. Or find someone who can teach you how to do it yourself and save money. Good luck.

For a modern car, it means changing the plugs and wires. Most cars no longer have distributors, so no cap or rotor to replace. Since it is computer controlled, there are really no adjustments to make. Typically you can extend most maintenance options by 20% from the manufacturer's recommendation. With respect to a tune up, if the car runs well, and there hasn't been a drop in fuel mileage, then I wouldn't do it. Another thing to look out for from less reputable shops is that they will over-inflate your tires by 5 psi or so during a "tune-up" to give the illusion that the tuneup is giving you better gas mileage and a performance improvement. In actuality all they are doing is reducing the friction between the road and your tires.

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RE:

What exactly do they do in a car tune up?

I have a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix that has 78,000 miles on it. I'd like to have it serviced just because. What exactly do mechanics do during a tune up. Will my service be better if I take it to a Pontiac/GM Goodwrench place, or will a local mechanic do just fine?

A local mechanic can do just fine so long as there qualified. They`re much less expensive than a dealership. A basic tuneup consists of sparkplugs, airfilter, fuelfilter, oilfilter and a oil change. There`s not much more to it nowadays. I dont know specifically what engine your car has so that may or may not include sparkplug wires. considering your cars mileage though dont be surprised if they mention a list of of other things such as belts, oil leaks, hoses etc. Anything a competent mechanic should look out for and notice. Mind you, you said serviced so you need to mention to check brakes, frontend steering, transmission fluid leaks,and change, and coolantant.

If it's still under manufacturer's warranty take it to a certified dealer for service.

Usually they check the sparkplugs and wires, hoses, breaks, cooling system, filters etc.

If they find something wrong they will replace it.

If you know the local mechanic is trustworthy (there are some out there who will lie to you just to get you to replace unnecessary parts so they can take you for a ride on their hig maintenance costs) go ahead and have him do the service. But you won't ge getting quality GM parts.

Anymore, they just replace the spark plugs, and maybe replace the condenser under the distributor cap, as well as the cap. A local independent mechanic will do just fine for a tune up, and will be less expensive too.

most places have three types of tune ups: minor, intermediate, and major.

in a major tune up, they change spark plugs, spark plug wires if necessary, air and fuel filter, and distributor cap

A local mechanic will do just fine, they usually change the fuel filter, change the air filter, change the oil and oil filter, and that's about it, they could do more, but this all I can think of them doing during a tuneup.

spark plugs,spark plug wires,air filter,fuel filter,they may do a fuel injector cleaning coolent flush change, oil & filter thats about it i think but if you can do it your self of know someone that can do it you can save yourself lots of money as far as where to take it look around ask friends where they go make sure you are getting a good price