How often should we get tune ups? I've been getting them once a year, but feel like I have been wasting my money.

Although the tuneup can be important, I think its much more valuable to have your oil changed, filters changed, and tires rotated and balanced regularly. Also, go to a place that can re-elign the wheels if need be.

Don't based your tune up schedule by year... It should be by mileage... Cars made since the early 1980s only need tune-ups every 30,000 miles. If your car was built before then, you may want to tune it up every 15,000 miles, and your tune-up will be more complicated than the tune-ups done on modern cars. If you own a brand new car, it may not need a tune-up for 100,000 miles. New-fangled "tune-ups" are named in honor of the old ritual, but don't resemble it very much because advances such as electronic ignitions systems, engines running on unleaded fuel, and computer-controlled systems have made the old adjustments less frequent or even obsolete. The new tune-ups usually cover new spark plugs, a new fuel filter, a new air filter, a new PCV valve, and--only if needed--a new rotor, a new distributor cap, ignition wires, and a carburetor adjustment. Some mechanics also test the computer system and do an engine analysis. Sometimes an oil change is included, but oil changes are part of a more regular maintenance schedule and should take place every 3,000 miles.

I had a tune up done on my car last year so this helps to know. Thanks for the info.