The cost of preparing a car for summer in 2026 has become known.

A basic spring check-up of a car in the regions of Russia will cost car owners about 8 thousand rubles on average, and about 12 thousand rubles in Moscow and St. Petersburg. This program includes diagnostics of the chassis and brake system, "refilling" for summer tires, checking the cooling system, as well as monitoring the level and condition of engine oil and automatic transmission fluid. On April 9, Izvestia was informed about this in the analytical service of the international network of Fit Service car services.

The average check for car repair and maintenance in the first quarter of 2026 amounted to 13.1 thousand rubles. It has grown by 13% compared to last year, according to the company's research results. To estimate the costs, experts used the most popular car models.

Analysts also calculated the cost of full preparation for the season, when tire installation, diagnostics, scheduled maintenance and minor repairs are carried out in one visit. The expanded package includes oil and filter replacement, air conditioner refueling, suspension work (pads, stabilizer bushings), brake system maintenance, coolant replacement, wheel angle adjustment, as well as necessary technical fluids and spare parts. In this case, the total budget, taking into account details and consumables, can average 40 thousand rubles in the regions and about 50 thousand rubles in the capital cities.

"It's better to start with a thorough professional diagnosis, which often saves the car owner's budget. Following the results of the diagnosis, it is necessary to carry out minor recommended repairs. This will allow you to plan costs rather than solve sudden problems with cars due to major breakdowns. I also don't see the point in chasing after the most expensive brands if there are high-quality analog spare parts. You can also save on things that have not yet exhausted their resources, but in no case should you save on things that are responsible for the safety and survivability of the car," advised Nikita Rodionov, technical director of the Fit Service network.

The specialist pointed out that mandatory work before the warm season includes "refilling" for summer tires and adjusting wheel angles, diagnosing brakes and suspension on the lift, cleaning and checking radiators and cooling systems, monitoring the level and condition of engine oil and brake fluid, as well as replacing the cabin filter, checking and refueling the air conditioner.

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The day before, experts said that summer tires usually take less time to run in compared to winter tires, and it is usually enough to drive 200-300 km. This process is no less important than running in a new car, experts said.

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