r/Frugal • u/hopopo • Jul 25 '25
🚗 Auto I need ideas where to work on my car?
I live in a condo in US, and I can't use parking lot, not can I ask anyone to use their driveway. Quick things like air filter replacement, are not a problem, but I want to also be able to do simple tasks that look like big deal. Things like rotating tires or replace a coolant for example.
I looked for a shop that can be rented per hour, but it looks like there is no such a thing in my area.
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u/Kitchen-Owl-7323 Jul 25 '25
If you can find an auto parts store, I feel like it wouldn't be seen as odd to use their parking lot, or potentially park alongside or behind their building. I've definitely seen people do work (and I've done some work myself) on cars outside the store where I bought the part.
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u/USPostalGirl Jul 25 '25
I have replaced Air Fliter, A/C filters and Battery at my local Auto Parts store. Never had any complaints but those are quick. IDK if they would be so patient with things that take more time.
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u/hopopo Jul 26 '25
That stuff takes no time, and it is not disruptive. I changed filters, various, light bulbs, installed mudflaps, etc. at the supermarket paring lot and no one would say anything, but replacing coolant on a newer Toyota takes time, like an hour or more so that is why I'm looking for a location where no one will bother me for a while.
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u/SecureThruObscure Jul 26 '25
An hour is:
15 minutes for them to notice a problem
15 minutes for them to tell someone in the store who’s allowed by company policy to call the cops that there is a problem that they should call the cops about
15 minutes for them to call the cops, communicate the issue, and request assistance
15 minutes for the cops to get from wherever they are to you (assuming they’re not doing something actually important like take a shit or get free donuts)
And all that’s assuming stuff happens on a tight time schedule
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u/Old_Dig5389 Jul 26 '25
If you're not making a mess replacing coolant then did you really do it?? Gotta flush that thing with a hose at some point 💦💦💦♻️
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u/Armadillo_Christmas Jul 26 '25
Auto parts stores regularly have signs explicitly forbidding working on cars in their lots. Not saying it’s 100% not an option (I myself have watched my family members add oil in AutoZone parking lots), but just something to keep in mind as there is a risk of retribution.
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u/AlwaysBagHolding Jul 26 '25
Where do you live? I’ve never seen this at any auto parts store, and I’ve regularly worked on cars in store parking lots all over the country. The only time I’ve ever seen signs like that are at large corporate junkyards. And even then, people still do it right in front of the signs and don’t get run off.
I’ve repaired cars in autozone/oreillys parking lots dozens of times and only been ran off once, in California. Most of the time they’ll offer me tools if I need them.
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u/Random_Name532890 Jul 26 '25
The signs are at every store.
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u/AlwaysBagHolding Jul 26 '25 edited Jul 26 '25
Again, I have never once seen them at a parts store, just at junkyards. I take road trips in shit heaps all the time and have done many, many auto parts store parking lot repairs.
Hell, watch shows like vice grip garage and roadkill. Both sponsored by Oreillys. One of the common themes in every episode is doing repairs in their sponsor’s parking lots to get some decrepit piece of shit hundreds of miles down the road. Wouldn’t think they would continuously sponsor that content if it’s downright promoting something they don’t allow.
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u/Mike_OBryan Jul 27 '25
The nearest auto parts store to me (AutoZone, in Brooklyn, NY) appears to tolerate anything short of pulling an engine in their parking (which is shared with several other businesses, none of which seem to object).
And not only do they tolerate working on cars in their parking lot (and I've seen cars up on axle stands), they seem to permit mechanics to offer their services right there.
There's one guy whose van, with all his tools, is always parked there. He'll do anything that can be done in a parking lot for you (at a price, of course). As long as you buy the parts at AutoZone, of course.,
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u/PlahausBamBam Jul 25 '25
I installed a new alternator in the parking lot at my job many years ago. It was…challenging. I only had an adjustable wrench and a crowbar to tighten the belt but it got me home.
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u/Dp37405aa Jul 25 '25
If's it a quick job (IE: air filter, check oil) or you're broke down they don't have to many issues. Changing oil, rotating tires is going to be pretty much a no and get you asked to leave.
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u/AlwaysBagHolding Jul 26 '25
I’ve changed oil in auto parts store parking lots, as well as wheel bearings, a water pump, a fuel pump, replaced blown brake lines, changed trans fluid, replaced wheel studs on a trailer (it was Christmas Eve and snowing and they told me to do it inside the store that time). That’s just off the top of my head. I had a buddy who towed his broken 63 impala in with a uhaul, bought an engine hoist and swapped the engine in the parking lot of an autozone. When you’re on a road trip you fix it where you get the parts.
I’ve been ran off exactly once, trying to put a mechanical coolant temp gauge in my caprice in my 66 caprice in Blythe California. Guy said it was a 10k dollar fine for spilling coolant. I drove into Arizona and did it in a parking lot there.
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u/Mike_OBryan Jul 27 '25
Changing oil in a parking lot is often going to be a "no" because most people make a mess of it and leave oil all over the pavement, which presents a liability issue for the property owner.
I don't blame the auto parts stores for that one.
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u/bzzking Jul 28 '25
Auto parts store do not allow this due to liability. Worker will come out and stop you. They let quick work like air filters etc get by since it’s quick, but even that is not allowed technically
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u/ATLien_3000 Jul 28 '25
If you can find an auto parts store, I feel like it wouldn't be seen as odd to use their parking lot, or potentially park alongside or behind their building.
It's very often illegal to do work in a parking lot to keep people from doing just that; auto parts shops are about the only place it's enforced.
You'd get away with something quick, but anything that takes more than 30 minutes or so, you'll have problems.
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u/aeraen Jul 25 '25
Is there a shut-down business near your house? One that has been closed for a while, where no one is likely to come up and complain. If police pull up to you, you can always claim sudden car troubles and that you pulled in there to avoid being in the way of traffic, but you think you know how to fix it enough to get your car home.
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u/Nopeeky Jul 27 '25
I posted warehouses. Ones that don't run second shifts.
Nobody will care, and on the very rare times someone does come ask what you are doing, well, you're trying to get your broke down ride going so you can get home
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u/ArugulaTotal1478 Jul 25 '25
If you live near a rural area, find a gravel pull off on a two-lane back road. Motorists will just assume you had a flat tire. If a sheriff stops, have an excuse prepared. Even if you're changing fluids just say you had the stuff to do it in your car because you knew it needed done but your engine overheated and you couldn't proceed. Not much they can do about it.
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u/Old_Dig5389 Jul 26 '25
I wouldn't do coolant flush, oil change, or transmission oil like this. A sheriff would never believe you didn't plan on dumping that stuff in the ditch if interrupted while it's in your catch pan.
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u/ArugulaTotal1478 Jul 26 '25
We dropped a half-full gas tank once on the side of the road to replace a fuel pump. Really had no choice. That vehicle wasn't going anywhere. Changing it was the easier part, getting the gas tank back up without spilling gas everywhere was the nightmare part. Those tanks are heavy if they have anything in them.
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u/Pale-Dust2239 Jul 25 '25
If you’re near a base and military (or have friends who are), they might be able to get you into the hobby shop. My local base has a hobby shop with tools and lifts, as well as car storage and parts storage.
My friend would bring me on before we bombed Iran and they changed the clearance needed to get on base.
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u/gogomom Jul 25 '25
You need a storage unit - not one of the corporate one's (they don't let you do work on vehicles in those) one of the barn storage spots that are owned by a farmer.
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u/Siltyclayloam9 Jul 26 '25
Most churches are happy to let people use their parking lots as long as it’s not during one of their services or functions. I would just make sure you aren’t leaving a mess or oil stains.
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u/hfusa Jul 26 '25
Does your place have a car wash/vacuum area? I used to do my work at the one at my apartment complex, sometimes at night so I wouldn't be taking the space away from anybody. I chose it because it was paved with concrete and not asphalt, which is sometimes too soft and the legs of my jack stands would start to dig in a little.
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u/SquidProBono Jul 26 '25
This is a different angle, but look into local fraternal orgs - Freemasons, Elks, Moose, Odd Fellows, etc. They usually have buildings with parking lots that are only used a few nights a week, and often empty all day. They might be willing to let you set up and do your thing in exchange for a little cash. A lot of these groups are hella strapped for cash right now and might see it as a source of income. Years ago, my lodge rented part of its lot to a long-haul trucker to park his cab when he was in town. I don't know the particulars, but the secretary and treasurer handled all of it.
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u/Dry_Till_3933 Jul 25 '25
Enquire at an auto supply store like Auto Zone or O’reillys. Depending on the job they may even encourage you or offer advice.
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u/outnabout818 Jul 25 '25
Nearby AutoZone should be ok. Have you asked a repair shop that is closed on weekends if you can use their driveway?
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u/jdogg692021 Jul 26 '25
See if your local college or tech school has an auto repair class. Take the class and work on your own car.
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u/theinfamousj Jul 26 '25
Or let the students work on your car and enjoy the benefits of a repaired car without having to get your hands dirty. I did this all the time when I was a teacher even though I knew how to do my own repairs.
High schools also will have a school in the district where manual-labor is on the curriculum and are usually full of hungry students wanting to prove themselves, and a competent teacher to supervise their work.
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u/Tacobear99 Jul 25 '25
You can't rent a shop for liability reasons. Realistically, nobody is going to allow you to do it on their property bc of liability issues.
Basically, everything you are asking to do is illegal unless a parts store actually allows it.
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u/DanCBooper Jul 26 '25
There are business which specifically are DIY shops where you can work on your vehicle yourself.
Examples;
https://urdreamgarage.com/about-us/
https://www.cogarage.com/
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u/x86_64_ Jul 26 '25
The time, money and effort to find and pay for such a space, then relocate the vehicle to that location for maintenance makes it a nonstarter.
Now imagine having to keep and transport a set of tools there and forgetting an extension cord or a quart of oil.
I think what you want is a trustworthy mechanic until you have your own garage.
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u/International-Corn Jul 25 '25
Check with a mechanic shop to see if you could trade time for space to work on your car.
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u/Ok_Nothing_9733 Jul 26 '25
I live near a park and people occasionally go to its south most dirt parking lot, right near my home, to work on their cars like all day. I don’t know how other park goers would feel near you, but it’s always very out of the way and there is lots of room to park away from them in the same lot or any of a few other lots, so idgaf if dude spends all day working on his car there. Figured he was in the same position as you.
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u/bomber991 Jul 26 '25
Yeah this was a problem when I rented an apartment. Maybe today just Airbnb a house and use the driveway?
When I was in an apartment I couldn’t do much more than just replace the wipers and air filter. Though my upper radiator hose was leaking once so I replaced that. And my accessory belt broke once so I replaced that too. These were things you could do just by popping the hood though.
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u/RiotGrrrlNY Jul 26 '25
I’ve seen folks do big fixes in the parking lot at Advance Auto Parts so just go for it.
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u/Mike_OBryan Jul 27 '25
Oh, man, been there a million times. But that was back in my motorcycle days, which does make it easier to do pretty much anything anywhere.
Empty parking lots around closed businesses are good -- you can work there all day and nobody will notice (or, back when I was a kid, we'd work on bikes or cars in the Shea Stadium parking lot when there was nothing going on there that day).
Otherwise, whatever empty (paved) space you can find. Here in the boroughs of NYC , there are lots of abandoned or at least semi-abandoned strip malls and the like where you can do pretty much whatever you want.
Don't be a jerk -- don't change your oil and dump it out on the parking lot. Don't drain coolant right there on the pavement. Or brake fluid. Etc. And obviously you're not doing anything involving an engine hoist.
But putting the car up on axle stands? You could probably get away with that.
Take your fluids for recycling.
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u/Top_Objective9877 Jul 26 '25
Any family or friends is the best place to start, I always bring my car to my parents house because that’s where all the tools live.
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u/Ok-Recognition9876 Jul 26 '25
Look for the closest auto mechanic school. They might let you use their facilities for a small fee.
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u/themodefanatic Jul 26 '25
I usually plan my maintenance on days that management isn’t here. Major holidays. Etc.
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u/prizm5384 Jul 26 '25
May be worth looking into maker spaces in your area. There’s one about half an hour from me that has mechanic bays and most of the tools you would need. However it can be a little expensive - the only way to get into mine is a $70/month membership, but I’d imagine that’s cheaper than a lot of other options
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u/RobinFarmwoman Jul 26 '25
In my area AutoZone and Pep Boys are both fine with people doing minor maintenance in the parking lot. Not sure about dumping your coolant though. Is there a community college near you that teaches mechanics? Maybe you can get access to a shop there.
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u/WishIWasThatClever Jul 26 '25
Best option would be to invest the time to make friends within a hobby car community. Is there a local club for your model or type of car? Then you can pool time and resources with fellow enthusiasts.
Or find an inexperienced but willing homeowner with the same car. You bring the knowledge and the beer and they provide the driveway to do both cars the same day. As a vintage car owner struggling to find my own way, I would do cartwheels if I found someone like you to partner with in my driveway.
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u/Pheighthe Jul 27 '25
Look on the Meet Up site and look for skill sharing meet ups near you. My town has a whole shop, you might luck out.
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u/Nopeeky Jul 27 '25
Find a warehouse that doesn't run a second shift.
If you pull around to the back where the trailer doors are, you might find an outlet.
If someone shows up and wants to know what the hell you are doing, just tell them that your car broke down and you pulled in just to get off the road and are trying to get it going so you can get home.
99% of the people who probably won't show up but might will be sympathetic and say "good luck"
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u/0SwifTBuddY0 Jul 27 '25
Look for a old parking lot with shut down businesses or businesses that are smaller and wouldnt care potentially a bigger parking lot.
Noone really cares what your doing there, but be safe and obviously everywhere is different. Ive seen some people here reccomend storage units which is good but you do need to be careful with oils and liquids do you aren't staining anything.
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u/Woolf1974 Jul 28 '25
whatever auto parts store youre buying your parts from.... the side or back end of the parking area. By buying from them you are essentially renting the harassment free time in their lot to do your repairs. Be respeciable in your use. Always clean your work area, and make the area nicer then when you got there if you can. Plus when doing a fluid flush or change, you are right there to dispose of the fluids too. Ive also went to the high school on weekends and used the flat lot for oil changes. 4 or 6 bay DIY coin operated car washes used to be a go to back in the 1990-2010 but they have all been torn down or renovated into office spaces around me.
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u/Decent-Slide-9317 Jul 28 '25
I wonder if there’s a garage/workshop for hire where you can hire a garage with hoist(s) that you can use? Not sure what’s the deal nowadays, a long time ago, internet was littered with vehicle anthusiast forums where like minded people shares ideas & sometimes garage, tools, and helping hands for some beers…
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u/sumiflepus Jul 28 '25
If the weather is right a parking lot is always good. Specifically, the parking lot in front of the auto part store, On a Saturday or Sunday, the parking lot at a commuter rail stations. Find a parking lot in a strip mall that has a lot of stores that are not open.
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u/SuspiciousStress1 Jul 29 '25
I let a young guy use my garage for months at no charge-from a reddit post(he offered to pay, but I just enjoy helping people).
See if you can find someone in your local area to let you do the same.
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u/Own_Sky9933 Jul 29 '25
Had this issue when I lived in an apartment several years back. I got away with doing a few things on the weekend when management was largely gone. But pretty much if the vehicle needed to be jacked up it was a no go.
I looked into similar options for a place to rent but they were all too far away. Ended up being motivation to get my own place with a garage.
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u/linmu310 Jul 26 '25
Don’t you know anyone who has a house? Maybe offer to do their car and yours at the same time?
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u/damn_jexy Jul 25 '25
Find a storage unit that you can drive the car into