When your “Check Engine” light goes on in your car, do you panic a little bit? Well, there’s no need to panic just yet. It shouldn’t cost you a dime to find out what the problem might be.

Travis Pizel of Moneyning recently had some trouble with his car and discovered that his local auto parts store was the place to be to save money. You should, of course, call your local store to make sure they offer the same services, but here are 3 free things that should be available from your local auto parts store:

Free Check Engine Diagnostics

When that dreaded “Check Engine” light comes on and you don’t know what the problem is, your local auto parts store could provide a free solution. You bring your car in, they read the code and then give you the definition and possible causes of that light. In Travis’ case, he discovered that the problem had to do with a fuse and he was able to do the repair himself and save a bundle.

Free Battery Check

If you want to make sure your battery is in good condition (which is a good idea when the weather gets cold) you can most likely take a trip to your local auto parts store to find out how it’s doing.

Loan-a-tool Program

If you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person, you may find that some repairs require a tool you don’t own. Both of the auto parts stores in my area have a program to loan you the tool. Though they do require a deposit almost equal to the value of the tool, this program is still a better option than purchasing an expensive or seldom used tool.

To read more about Travis’ experience, head over to Moneyning’s Ways an Auto Parts Store Can Save You Money on Car Repairs.