AAA Car Care Plus

Went to AAA Auto Service because of coupon on Nov. 30. An appointment was required for this free service. They were very courteous, and seemed to have a lot of business at the time. Waiting room was comfortable. The oil change and tire rotation was done in less than an hour. We have taken our car to the dealership every 5,000 miles, so it has been well maintained. They suggested no additional parts or services during our visit. Sales tax and supplies totaled under $ 3.
Earlier that month we took our other car in for a new battery. With the car being 5 years old, it seemed like a good preventive measure to avoid problems we’ve had when batteries are more than 4 years old. The service tech ran a diagnostic to verify it needed a new battery and it tested fine. He said there was no reason to replace it at this time. (Better for the environment too.) Since the terminals were heavily corroded, he recommended cleaning them for optimal battery performance. The dealership had quoted $ 40 for this. I was in and out of AAA for a total charge of $ 9 for this visit! I think it’s rare to go in expecting to do a repair/​parts replacement and be talked out of it in favor of a lower cost solution, but it does increase the confidence level in going there.

I’m a 20-​year resident of Wheaton and have used all of the local repair franchises (Goodyear, Firestone, etc.) as well as a handful of smaller shops (which generally provide better customer service, but can have challenging backlogs). AAA entered a somewhat crowded market in Wheaton/​Glen Ellyn.
A free oil change coupon got me into the new AAA shop late Dec 2015. Since then, I’ve had all three of the family’s vehicles repaired for one thing or another.
Their facility is clean (it even has that «new repair shop smell»), customer lounge is decent (TV, computers to use, free coffee or water), and scheduling can be done online or via phone. They do prefer appointments.
Chase is one of the service managers, and his customer service skills are excellent. When bringing a minivan in for timing belt and water pump replacement, he asked how the brakes were doing on my SAAB; a repair that was done nearly a month ago!
Before making the appointment for the van repair, I called Honda for their standard price on timing belt and water pump. Then I called AAA. The AAA price was about half (50% less) than the Honda dealer in Lisle.
Here’s the icing on the cake. While the van was in for the repair, Chase called to indicate that a couple items — power steering pump and engine mount bushing — needed repair and it would be no additional labor since they were already in there. We knew something was up with the power steering but did not mention it to AAA. We did not know about the engine mount. Both items saved us a ton of $$$ in shop time.
I don’t have any strong negatives to offer, so I suggest you give them a try for your next repair or routine maintenance.

One review for two BAD experiences!
Like other reviews, I went there for their FREE oil change/​tire rotation… I think its a way to get you come-​by so they can sell you services!
The very first time, they told me my battery is bad, all fluid needed to be replace and drive belt needed to be replace. I told them I dun have time will come back… Took my car to my regular guy, told me. The battery is fine can use at least one more yr, all fluid are fine and drive belt no problem!
Second time, went there again for the free oil change yup they sent me the coupon again! When I am done, they told me I needed a new timing belt, water pump should be replaced, along with three other oil gasket! (please know that i was the one who told them about the gasket but dealer told me only one gasket needed replace but they said I need THREE!) I was at the dealer a week before, so I knew about the gasket, dealer didnt even tell me about the timing belt and water pump lol.

I moved out to the burbs from the city 6 years ago… being female and all, I refuse to take my car to just any ol’ car repair place in fear they will rip me off so I have been in no hurry to find a car repair place, I take my car to my repair shop in the city. Sometimes that is just not possible, like … yesterday.
I’m driving to work, and long story short the alternator on my car decides to go out. Of course, on a COLD morning. I pull over on a side street and call AAA road side assistance. If you do not have AAA, it’s worth the money… GET IT!!!
So they told me they could tow me 5 miles to a repair shop and named this place, and it would be $ 4 per mile over 5 miles and I was NOT paying that to bring my car to the city. I got it towed to this place. The guys were were very friendly, they drove me to work, gave me a break down on the repairs, and was finished a few hours later. They do all kinds of repairs except for paint and glass. I think I may have found my new repair shop in the future… close to home, close to work, and the service was good all around.

The staff was very friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable. I don’t really have a specific mechanic that I go to for repairs so this place is great and convenient. I would definitely be back again and would recommend to anyone.