Woman Buys STP Oil At Autozone. Then She Tries To Use Her Dad‘s Points

Darby, a Virginia Beach college student and beauty blogger, has to keep her vehicle in running order. As a DoorDasher, her car is pretty much her livelihood. So, getting a discount on a much-needed mundane purchase probably feels like a lot of winning. 

Rewards Points: An Unexpected Bonus At AutoZone 

One of the easiest ways to keep a vehicle running is with regular oil changes. But buying oil might be the least fun way to spend money, ever. In a TikTok with just over 1,200 views, Darby (@darbybadoian) details a recent AutoZone interaction.  

She says she was in the process of buying “a whole bunch of stuff for her car,” including STP oil, when a very helpful employee asked a pivotal question: “Your dad has $20 in points. Do you want to use them?” 

At this point, Darby gives the camera a huge smile and explodes, saying, “Put that [expletive] on! Put it on! Put it on! Don’t tell him! Don’t tell him!” 

The employee then asks her if she wants a print or email receipt.

She’s emphatic: “Print it! Don’t let him know!” 

One quart of the STP Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil that Darby bought costs $8.49 on the AutoZone website. 

Sharing Is Caring. Thanks, Dad

Though Darby takes pains to conceal her use of her dad’s points, most people seem to treat it like the kind of thing that happens in families. 

“Lmaoooooooo me using my dad’s number at 711 before I created my own account,” says XOXO, Maisey (@maisey_shields).

“Me with my aunt’s gas points,” admits Kaito (@itz_kai06)

A couple of other users simply agree with Maria Carolina (@carolinawilli16) that the situation is “so real.” 

How Else Can I Save Money On Maintaining My Car?

Using a family member’s discount is one way to help buffer the costs of car maintenance, but there are some other things you can do, too.

To prolong the life of the engine, affordable recommended maintenance includes letting the engine warm up before hitting the gas and driving mindfully. “Aggressive driving, such as rapid acceleration and sudden stops, can lead to increased wear and tear on your vehicle,” reports the Ames Ford dealership. That same source also suggests staying up to date on recalls. Regularly checking for recalls ensures that issues get proactively addressed.   

Another easy way to improve your vehicle’s performance is to upgrade your air filters (cabin and engine). This helps improve performance, even if you’re driving a 1993 Nissan Sentra two-door. 

Then, there are the windshield wipers, and this is a matter of safety. Upgrade your wipers so that you’re ready when an unexpected monsoon hits. 

The least expensive item on your list? Keeping tires inflated to the proper air pressure. This helps improve fuel efficiency. But it also helps make sure the tire’s internal components don’t flex beyond their limits and thereby fail. 

Finally, if you’re driving an older vehicle, chances are that your headlights are cloudy. So grab a restoration kit to make them shine bright. 

Do these small things, plus keep your car moderately clean, and even the most high-mileage vehicle can run more efficiently, safely, and reliably. Small improvements add up quickly. 

Motor1 reached out to Darby via email and TikTok. This story will be updated if she replies to us.