Our 2015 Buick Encore has been really good to us except for a few tiny issues that were all fixed under warranty. Recently, it has had the hiccups. A stutter of sorts under acceleration. Once or twice, here and there. I just figured it need plugs since it had 77000 miles on it and I’d fix it after the trip.

I should have fixed it before we left because about an hour in the old girl started shaking and spitting. However, there was no stopping, I was not quitting. Once the temperature got above 60° everything calmed down and it started running well again. Who knows why but we took it as a blessing and continued. About the sixth hour of the trip she started shaking again and the check engine light blinked and then stayed on. Shirl was having a bird. Nope, I’m not stopping.

We made it to our destination and the car was running fine again the whole time we were there. Then on Sunday we were driving to a restaurant and get check engine light came back on so I dropped into the Autozone and the young fellow plugged in his error code reader.

The code said the ignition coil pack was bad. When I looked under the hood I could see it throwing sparks across to the engine block instead of down the plug. The youngster, probably early 20s, said “I’d be happy to give you a hand.” I bought the part and a set of plugs and the nice fellow brought out tools.

He pulled all the plugs and replaced them and I put in the coil pack. He helped the whole time. What a fine young man.

Here’s to [REDACTED]. There’s good in his generation.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mark123,

You should make it a point to tell his boss too!

I wouldn’t tell his boss. I could def be wrong but I’m pretty sure it’s against their lawyers policy for them to help install parts.

I left a review from the survey on my receipt stating that he went above and beyond to make sure I was a happy customer. Oh, I also slipped him some loot.

OP, please remove the identifying info in your post.

It will do more harm than good.

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
... Oh, I also slipped him some loot.

I sure hope so!

Removed ID as requested.

You may want to go ahead and replace the rest of the coil packs. It will be a matter of time when the rest start going. My wife's GM suv did that.

That's great you found someone to help, I know most auto parts places will help with batteries, wipers, small light bulbs, etc


Agree that you might consider replacing them all, I did the one at a time and it seemed like as soon as I replaced one, the next one would fail...

Be careful buying them on Amazon, there are a lot of fake chung king automotive parts on Amazon, AC is one of the most often faked.

Buy them at Autozone since the kid helped you, but if you must buy online, RockAuto is safer...

I think you guys are overthinking this. Autozone endeavors to offer a higher lever of customer service(s) than most other auto parts stores. They will scan your car for DTCs (error codes), try to assist in diagnosis of issues, and offer a generous specialty tool lending program where you essentially 'purchase' the tool and have 90-days to return it for a full refund. The tools are high/higher quality and are sometimes new/unused. All of this sells more parts and ensures/enhances customer loyalty.

I seriously doubt that the 'fine young man' abandoned the register and went outside to assist 'mark123' all on his own. Nearly all Autozone locations will install wiper blades, car batteries, and bulbs (headlights & tail lights) assuming it doesn't require major disassembly to do so. It's not like he said, pull around back and I'll grab some tools out of my trunk, but don't tell my boss. The fact that per the OP, he said “I’d be happy to give you a hand.”... AND brought out tools, is indicative that this was likely done with the knowledge of and/or endorsed by his boss. Having assisted in diagnosing the issue, and sold the parts, it's more likely that this was part of the higher lever of customer service offered at this location.

Auto Parts Stores generally frown upon customer working on their cars in the parking lot anyway (some even post signs), so in this case having a competent & knowledgable employee assist with a simple repair ensures the the customer doesn't spend unnecessary time in the parking lot with the hood open. He (mark123) doesn't say if he indicated he was having car trouble while traveling out of town, but if he did, nothing could be better for Autozone from a marketing/reputation/customer loyalty perspective than to make sure they helped solve his problem so he could get back on the road and get home safely. Heck, he was so pleased he's even posting it on the internet!

I could be wrong, but I don't think I am...

quote:

Our 2015 Buick Encore has been really good to us except for a few tiny issues that were all fixed under warranty.

If it has the 1.4 turbo engine, you're lucky.

quote:

Originally posted by blueye:
You may want to go ahead and replace the rest of the coil packs. It will be a matter of time when the rest start going. My wife's GM suv did that.

All 4 coils are integrated in one package. They’re all new now. :thumbsup:

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:

quote:

Our 2015 Buick Encore has been really good to us except for a few tiny issues that were all fixed under warranty.

If it has the 1.4 turbo engine, you're lucky.

Yes, that's the one. The turbo leaked early on and was replaced under warranty.