Auto parts stores give away a surprising amount: battery and alternator tests, check engine light scans, specialty tools on loan and recycling for used oil. AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts both offer the core services, but the details differ, especially for loaner tools and installation. This page compares what each store publishes, checked on November 2, 2026.
Free services compared
| AutoZone | Advance Auto Parts | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery, starter and alternator testing | Free testing of your alternator, starter, battery and more; AutoZone will also check a battery before you buy or charge a dead one. Source | Free battery, starter and alternator testing on or off the vehicle, plus automotive and marine battery charging. Source |
| Battery installation | Not stated on official pages we checked | Free battery installation, and registration where needed, with purchase, for most vehicles at most locations. Source |
| Check engine light scan | Free Fix Finder service: AutoZone checks your check engine light and gives you a free report. Source | Free engine code scanning on most OBD II vehicles at most stores. Source |
| Loaner tools | Loan-A-Tool: almost 100 specialty tools. Leave a deposit equal to the tool's price, keep it up to 90 days and return it undamaged for a full refund. Tools can also be ordered online. Source | More than 100 professional tools in 9 categories. Leave a deposit covering the tool's price, keep it up to 45 days and return it for a full refund. Source |
| Wiper installation | Not stated on official pages we checked | Free front and rear wiper blade installation with purchase. Source |
| Oil and battery recycling | Bring used oil to the store, and get credits for used batteries. Source | Free used motor oil and transmission fluid recycling; bring an old car battery for up to a $10 Advance gift card. Source |
From each store's official website, checked Nov 2, 2026. Programs and policies change and some services are not offered at every location or in every state; confirm with your local store.
AutoZone loaner tools vs Advance loaner tools
Both programs work the same way: you leave a deposit equal to the tool’s price and get it back in full when you return the tool. The difference is time. AutoZone’s Loan-A-Tool lets you keep a tool for up to 90 days and offers almost 100 tools, and you can borrow online too. Advance lists more than 100 tools in nine categories, with a 45-day loan. For a weekend job, either works; for a project car that might sit for a month, AutoZone gives you more room. Read more in the AutoZone guide and the Advance Auto Parts guide.
Free battery testing and installation
Both stores test batteries, starters and alternators for free. Advance also lists free installation and registration with battery purchase for most vehicles, plus charging for automotive and marine batteries. AutoZone’s services page lists testing and charging; it did not state free installation when we checked, so call your store if you need a battery installed.
Check engine light scans
AutoZone’s Fix Finder service checks your check engine light and gives you a free report. Advance offers free engine code scanning on most OBD II vehicles. A code tells you which system flagged a fault, not always which part failed. Advance says it will refer you to a local technician if more diagnosis is needed, and AutoZone’s site has a repair shop finder.
Recycling
Both stores take used motor oil. Advance also lists transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, gear oil and power steering fluid, and up to a $10 gift card for an old car battery; AutoZone gives credits for used batteries. Rules depend on local law.
What is not free
Labor beyond simple installs, diagnosis beyond a code scan, and anything that needs a lift are shop work. Services vary by location, staff and vehicle at both chains, so call ahead. For job costs, try the DIY vs shop cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. AutoZone’s Loan-A-Tool program offers almost 100 tools. You pay a deposit equal to the tool’s price and get a full refund when you return it within 90 days.Does AutoZone have loaner tools?
Yes. Advance tests batteries, starters and alternators for free, on or off the vehicle, and charges automotive and marine batteries.Does Advance Auto Parts do free battery testing?
Both stores will read the code for free. Clearing a code without fixing the cause only hides the problem, and the light will return.Will they clear my check engine light?
Keep comparing
Sources
We compare auto parts on published specs, warranty terms and dated store prices, and we link every store policy to its official page. We do not run a lab, so we never claim hands-on tests we did not do. About us · How we compare · Editorial policy