Is your check engine light on? Get a FREE analysis done at any AutoZone location!
A couple of weeks ago I experienced the dreaded light on my dashboard. The “Check Engine” light went on and freaked me out. I called my auto repair shop and found out that a check engine light scan would be $100, plus any costs of repair.
So, being frugal and NOT wanting to spend that much on something that could (hopefully) be minor, I did some research online and found that AutoZone auto parts stores offer FREE check engine light analysis.
So I headed to an AutoZone location and was helped immediately by one of their team members, who came right out with an orange scanner device and hooked it up under my steering wheel. It detected emissions system errors so I was told of various things that could cause that. As soon as I heard “your gas cap may be not secured tightly” a light bulb went off in my head (not just on my dashboard).
I noticed my gas cap hadn’t been tightening properly so we looked at it and sure enough, the rubber seal was broken and I needed a new one. I bought a new one at AutoZone for about $10.
The check engine light stayed on so I asked about that. They said that the light will either go off on its own after a while or I could disconnect and reconnect my battery to reset it. They can’t clear lights because of liability issues (like if someone tried to sell a car that had an issue).
A few days later the check engine light went off on its own and everything has been fine.
Why does AutoZone do a free check engine light analysis when you would otherwise have to pay $100? Well, the scan isn’t as comprehensive as one in an auto repair shop, but it does let you know what type of issue you may be having, which may be all you need. Plus, AutoZone just wants to help people keep their cars working properly! And of course, it helps them get some business (I DID buy what I needed from them).
So if your “check engine” light goes on, head to AutoZone (and check your gas cap – I learned afterward that the gas cap is a common cause of check engine lights going on). There are dozens of AutoZone locations in Minnesota.
They just have to reduce their service charges as if somebody needs to get fix small things done still he has to pay full charges as i had experienced !!
If you do your reseach you will find you are in the minority. The auto zone free diag is a way to sell you a part. Like i said you will find countless threads which the cust spent money on a part that did not fix their car. The gad cap is probably the easiest, most basic type of issue there is on any vehicle today.