AutoZone is one of the nation’s leading automotive retailers, but they offer much more than just parts and accessories for your vehicle.
The free AutoZone battery test is just one of a variety of no-fee offerings available at the store’s more than 6,000 locations in the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Brazil.
I took my car in for the free battery check and I’m going to tell you what to expect — plus let you know about a few other free services AutoZone offers that I learned about along the way!
What to Expect During an AutoZone Battery Test
I recently wanted to get my battery checked after noticing a couple of slow starts when I turned the key in my ignition. The slow starts have been intermittent, but I figured it’s better to know early if there’s a problem.
I found my local AutoZone and pulled my vehicle into the parking lot on a Thursday early in the afternoon.
Then, I popped the hood and went inside the store to find an associate to do the free AutoZone battery test.
The associate was just finishing with another customer, so I had a wait of less than five minutes before he was available to help me.
He grabbed the AutoZone Starting & Charging Tester, which looks like a black box with jumper cables attached to it, and proceeded to hook it up to my battery:
The Free AutoZone Battery Test Begins
After a couple of adjustments because the cables weren’t connecting properly with my battery’s positive and negative terminals, the test began.
The whole reading took two to three minutes. My result?
The free battery check suggested that I had a bad battery and needed a replacement. Uh oh!
However, the associate told me it was a good sign that the system showed my battery was holding a 100% charge. The most likely scenario, he said, is that I had one bad cell triggering a bad reading.
The associate told me he’s seen “bad” batteries last for a long time with a full charge.
So I didn’t have to buy a new battery — at least not yet. Isn’t it nice to not get the hard sell once in a while?
AutoZone Offers Free Battery Charging, Too
In addition to free battery check, AutoZone offers complimentary battery charging that only takes 30 minutes and is done while you wait. If your battery is running a little low, swing by your local store for a charge!
If it turns out you do need a new battery, Auto Zone offers a wide variety of Duralast batteries:
Other Free Services at AutoZone
AutoZone also offers other free services beyond just free battery testing and charging:
AutoZone’s Free Services for Your Vehicle |
|
| Test | Price |
| Alternator & Starter Testing | Free |
| Voltage Regulator Testing | Free |
| Oil & Battery Recycling* | Free |
| Loaner Tool Program | Free |
| Check Engine Light Testing via the Fix Finder program | Free |
* Oil recycling not available in Alaska
Final Thought
Maintaining your vehicle can be expensive. By taking advantage of free services like the Autozone battery test, you can save significant money because you’ll know when you need to change your battery. Then you can comparison shop at your leisure and buy the best deal before it becomes an emergency.
Meanwhile, you may want to check our article on 5 Easy DIY Auto Repairs You Can Do Today. We have videos to walk you through these easy fixes for beginners!
