We love road trips. They are filled with lots of memories and fun times and are a thrifty way to transport a large family to the destination vacation.
We’ve been on plenty of trips and most trips are smooth and go on without a hitch or hiccup.
But let’s be honest.
Life is not that simple.
Life is not that smooth.
Life is not that sane.
Life happens.
And when you hear that “life happens”, it’s usually referring to something negative, not the ideal, simple, smooth, sane life. That’s not real life.
But let’s also be a little more honest.
Real life is easier to handle at home and not on the road.
We all hope for that ideal, easy, smooth ride while traveling around. But that is the time that life tends to creep up and rear the ugly side of its head.
But if anything were to cause a hiccup in a trip, we all hope it’s minor car troubles and everyone remains safe. That no accidents are involved. That’s the hope.
The other hope is that these hiccups are not only minor in issues and everyone is safe, but are minor in cost as well. Those unexpected hiccups could create a lot of future financial trouble and you feel stuck and stifled in those moments making decisions that can impact you for months or even years.
Some of the tips we have shared in the past regarding road trips and travel are to budget and plan on at least 10% more of your expenses for those small emergencies while at the same time saving up a nest egg for emergencies.  Finally, we have shared before as well on how you can prepare your vehicle for safe travel with the free services at AutoZone.
This time we want to share tips for what happens when you are actually traveling and things go awry with your vehicle.
And you are going to love this tip in the midst of road trip car trouble….
We are not new to the area of car troubles and road trips. We’ve had our fair share of bumps in the road. Â But we’ve learned that it doesn’t have to be as expensive as you may have initially thought.
We love, LOVE AutoZone. Why? Because they have saved our skins on the road (and at home) by helping us troubleshoot why the check engine light is on with their free check engine light and FixFinder. Then if a problem is assessed, you can either take it to a local mechanic (per their recommendation) if the job is too big for you to handle and go into the mechanic knowing before what the issues are to get the right fix for the right price. In our experience, on fixes that were too complicated to fix ourselves, we were able to take it to a local mechanic with the problem report, giving us negotiating power.
And, if the issue is one you can handle yourself, you can buy the parts very affordably from AutoZone and they will allow you to borrow the tools from AutoZone with their free Loan-A-Tool program. This allows you to be able to make a DIY fix on a dime and on the road. Not only do they provide the tools, but they can print off step-by-step instructions, along with recommendations on specific video tutorials in their free video library they offer right from their site.
They have locations all over the U.S., meaning wherever you are traveling, you will most likely find an AutoZone close enough to make the trip over and find out what’s going on, fix and and be on the road again in on time.
Seriously, if you run into an issue, this is the route to go first. You can know what’s wrong with your vehicle, possibly fix it yourself with the affordable parts and free Loan-A-Tool program and be on the road again (hopefully) quickly.
We not only love AutoZone for this reason, but there are multiple other reasons. Anything related to our vehicle including accessories, cleaning, fixing, upgrading, and more we go to AutoZone first. They have amazing sales and their everyday prices are very competitive. The associates have always been super helpful (even helping us assess whether our own skills could handle the job) and always have shown us many options and are very honest in what we need to make a fix while not overselling us. We very much appreciate this.
As a woman, I, Cassie, don’t feel like I am being oversold, being roped into something I don’t really need and dealing with honest car mechanics. In fact, the last two times I have personally needed to go to AutoZone, I actually was helped by two different woman associates, which made me feel like I can trust them even more as both were super informative, honest and made me respect the fact that AutoZone is out to watch all of us – even those that don’t know much about cars. I am very comfortable going there and asking any question at all, no matter how dumb I may sound.
We also wanted to mention to not forget to join their rewards program. It is free and one of the most rewarding programs out there. Make 5 purchases of $20 or more and receive a $20 store reward to use on anything in the store. If you do your own oil changes, this alone means your 6th on is free if you purchase nothing else!
All-in-all, this is an excellent way to make the most of your budget, time and road trips.
The good news doesn’t stop there!
We are also going to give one of our readers a $100 Gift Card to AutoZone for your next maintenance project, vehicle upgrades or DIY repairs!
It’s very easy to enter….just leave a comment.
Maybe you can comment on one of these topics (to get the party started!)
- Have you had a trip fail with car issues? How did you solve it?
- What maintenance services are you going to try yourself this time?
- Have you ever tried the free services at AutoZone?
- What was the cost of your last auto repair?
- Would you give this a try?
- Whatever you want about this topic!
This giveaway will run through Friday, August 26th at 11:59 pm MST. The winner will be selected randomly and will be notified via email. Must be 18+ to enter and reside in the United States. The information collected is utilized for entry into this giveaway only.
Grab this month’s AutoZone coupon too!
This post is brought to you by AutoZone; the opinions are all mine.
Kiz Leppert
Something that I always make sure to teach my driving teens, how to change a tire. But first I make sure they have a good jack and tire star .
Christina Daugherty
Once my check engine light was on and AutoZone checked it out for me and it was a simple fix, I just needed a new gas cap.
Nissel Baker
This is why we love Auto Zone too!!
Rick Leppert
I’ve changed tires and oil before.
Barb
Tire issues (had to get 4 new tires), cracked windshield (luckily we could still see), check engine light (didn’t know about Auto Zone then!) and ended up having to search for a foreign car repair place, who said the car probably wouldn’t blow up or anything, so we drove the rest of the 2000 miles home–it ended up being just a gas cap issue, but it sure caused a lot of grief–and having Auto Zone check it out sure would have been a lot easier!
Ellie Leppert
I just got my permit!!!!! I am super excited! !!
Jamie
The check engine light came on in our van on our last trip. We had just left to come home, we were 12 hours from home. We went to an Auto Zone and they ran some free diagnostics and assured us everything was ok. We were so thankful.
Linda Johnson
Autozone has helped me inany ways as I onow nothing about cars.
Shannon
We love Autozone! We have used the loaner tool program and take our batteries in to get test every so often. 🙂
Calli
The free Loan-A-Tool program looks really neat. It would be nice not to have to pay for expensive tools, especially if you only use them a few times.
Catie
I have gone to Auto Zone a couple of times when my Check Engine light came on. Fortunately both times it was just because my gas cap wasn’t tightened all the way!
Kelly D
When I had my first job I got some expensive repairs done, only to have new car part fall out when I was driving to work! I would try AutoZone because I don’t like being oversold and I want the job done right.
NANCY ASBERRY
Last summer, the gear shift interlock on my car broke, which meant I couldn’t shift gears, so being the enterprising person I am, I searched on YouTube for a video on how to replace it, but while the part was on order, I still needed to be able to drive my car.
What I ended up doing was taking off the beveled cover over the gear shift area, then I would use a chopstick to pull back on the gear cable to get it into gear. It worked just fine until I was able to get the part and install it.
I love Auto Zone. I buy all of my headlights and other bulbs there, and install those items myself, too.
JoeyfromSC
I would definitely try this! My best friend would too because he has alot of car issues lol
Sounds like a great thing! Thanks for the info & for the chance to win!
Joey J.
camilla wilson
Back in the 70’s I was the first girl in my high school to take Auto mechanics. It has come in handy along the years.
carol clark
yes ive tried the free service with auto zone the free light reader helped me out like i couldnt afford to take it to a dealership
Sue
Our last car repair seemed simple enough – changing the seat belt clip in the backseat (that had melted candy stuck in it and no longer worked). But, just for that it was almost $200! And then they didn’t really fix it. We tried to use it a few months later (my DD had moved to the other side of the backseat) and it was still the broken one!!! They tried to say it wasn’t the same one and candy had been melted in it AGAIN!! But, I protested and they went ahead and repaired it correctly. No one had even been sitting in that spot since they had supposedly “fixed” it the first time! I wish I was capable of doing more car repairs myself for this reason!
Leslie
First off a lot of AutoZone will not loan you tools in Calif or Virginia I broke down in Fredericksburg VA, i needed to change my gas filter and they would not loan me any tools!!! Modesto,Ca Oakdale Rd doesn’t even want to help you and if you want a battery tested they want you to bring the battery in instead of them bringing the machine out. But I am glad some of the stores help i sold auto parts for 28 years and I repaired a lot of cars in the parking lot helping my customers. Also I would sell Berryman carb spray to anyone wanting a carb and 90% of the time it fixed the problem.( My boss didn’t like that but my customers is what counted) They came back!!
Julie Gallagher
This just may be the best tip ever! I didn’t know they had the free engine check thingie. I would feel so much better going to a mechanic if I already knew what was wrong. And I’m not above trying to do simple repairs on my own, so having the parts and tools right there would be helpful, too. Thanks for this!
Judith Morley
I know my car needs some big maintenance things done. I plan on going to AutoZone first for a free diagnostic check so I can feel prepared with knowledge before I head to the mechanic.
Tiffany Quiles
On a trip from NYC to Alabama my AC went out (in August!) – I stopped at an Auto Zone in North Carolina and they fixed it for me!
Mj
We love auto zone, use their diagnostics testers a lot with 3 vehicles. Great place to have available for college kids!
Sharon
The guys at my local Auto Zone are super helpful. They’ve installed new wiper blades for me and even changed out a battery in my car.
Melanie
I didn’t know AutoZone had free service. I’m going to try that out next time.
Beth
I have used this and I was so surprised at how easy it was to understand. My wiper blades and a battery. I now know what to do.
Janet W.
I have never tried their free services at AutoZone before. I like to do small things myself like replacing light bulbs, wiper blades, and checking and refilling my washer fluid.
Erica March
Thanks for sharing about Auto Zone … I was not aware of of their services and great deals! – My husband and son usually change the oil for our cars and do the small things that are easily and more cheaply done themselves! : )
Shelley
Great tips!
Dacia
I had no idea about these services at AutoZone!!! Will definitely be keeping this in mind as we travel in the future! Thank you!
Stephanie Loose
I have never tried their free services but I will be now that I know. I change the small things like light bulbs and wipers. I would like to “graduate ” to oil changes and see how that goes.
Kim L
We buy our batteries and windshield wipers at AutoZone because they come out and get them installed for you so quickly.
Sarah
One of my worst car trouble memories was when I was a little girl we were going over the Smoky Mountains in our old van. It over heated and we had to sit on a little scenic pull off spot for FOUR hours waiting for the car service company to get there. It was awful. I do love AutoZone now though! Its my husbands and I favorite pick for car parts!
Donna B
Good to know! Will check out Autozone!
Nancy Robinson
This is great information to keep handy! An Auto Zone store just opened up very near to us, and I had NO idea about everything they offered…and their website is packed full of info…thank you for sharing this!
Kathy t
We have gotten numerous batteries checked at Autozone. Saves buying a new battery if that isn’t the problem.
Jennifer wilson
Autozone has everything! One morning last week I went to raise the back hatch on my van to get a shopping bag… It just wouldn’t stay up! I went to auto zone and they had two shock thingies (technical term) to keep them up and they were in stock! They saved the day!
Debbie C.
I’m so happy you ran this column! We do have an Auto Zone in our town and this is GREAT information to have on hand! It “almost” makes me anxious for something to happen to my car — almost!
Deanna E
What a great giveaway! Love me some auto zone!
Miranda Davis
I really appreciate this discussion. AutoZone has effectively saved me so much money. I’ve had a situation where I needed supplies for an oil change, or I’ve had free diagnostics (battery and check engine light). These services were as handy as they were practical.
Karen
I have definitely tried the free AutoZone service and they saved me a ton of money. The auto repair shop quoted me so much more money and I took the car to autozone, used the diagnostics and left with a lot more money in my pocket and a working vehicle. they are great
Nicole Purdum
Auto Zone is great. They have always been very helpful when we’ve had a car issue, which has been may times!
Elena
I like to use AutoZone services. Great place!
Kim
That is a great rewards program! I didn’t know about it, but I have used their diagnostic services several times with great help and money saving tips from them! You know what store I want to return to when served up some good discounts and honest advice!! Oh yeah!!
Melinda Schorn
I have used the Autozone free battery check service. When I went into the store with my “dead battery”, or so I thought. They were quick to say it was not the battery and that the car needed something else. They suggested I take it to a car repair place to diagnose the issue. They suggested it may be the starter based on what I described. Sure enough they were right. I will most certainly go there again.
Angela W
We had a flat tire once and we simply just pulled over and changed it. I have not tried the Auto Zone Rewards program (free service).
Perla Nunez
Definitely signing up for the reward program! Thanks!
Kelly
Our car broke down and over heated one time on a road trip wasn’t an easy fix and turned out it was cheaper to trade it in than get it fixed worked out well in the long run. But have always had very helpful service at auto zone in the past. They are there for all your automotive needs and don’t try to over sell you things.
Joanne M
Auto Zone opened a location one mile from my house and I’ve never been in there–now I will!! The loan a tool program looks great.
Nicole
In California, they aren’t allowed to do the free diagnostic test at Auto zone. It really is a bummer. As for maintenance, I change my own spark plugs, air filters, transmission fluid and oil. I try to save as much as I can by doing it myself when it’s possible. YouTube and auto zones video tutorials make it pretty easy.
Mendy Dinsmore
I would definitely use their services. My car overheated. I had no clue what to do. Thankful for someone stopping to help me. They told me what part I needed and I went straight to the Zone to pick it up.