-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 LSkTJi4F2t4BlqCe4teSupDy5gAj7mjahna/ITHZuBrFtMckQFHg3on2+8JVWA8+
 z9ns4PeQSSH7RP88iPjX2Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001166559-08-000001.txt : 20081121
<SEC-HEADER>0001166559-08-000001.hdr.sgml : 20081121
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081121181721
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001166559-08-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081119
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081121
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081121

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AUTONATION INC /FL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000350698
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-AUTO DEALERS & GASOLINE STATIONS [5500]
		IRS NUMBER:				731105145
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		110 SE 6TH ST
		CITY:			FT LAUDERDALE
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33301
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9547696000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		110 SE 6TH ST
		CITY:			FT LAUDERDALE
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33301

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	REPUBLIC INDUSTRIES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19951215

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	REPUBLIC WASTE INDUSTRIES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	REPUBLIC RESOURCES CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19900226

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION TRUST
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001166559
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13107
		FILM NUMBER:		081208750

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2365 CARILLON POINT
		CITY:			KIRKLAND
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98033
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4258897900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2365 CARILLON POINT
		CITY:			KIRKLAND
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98033

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	GATES BILL & MELINDA FOUNDATION
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20020205
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-11-19</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000350698</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AUTONATION INC /FL</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001166559</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BILL &amp; MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION TRUST</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1551 EASTLAKE AVENUE E.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SEATTLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>98102</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>(1)</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8308550</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks>(1) The reporting person may be deemed to be a member of a Section 13(d) group that beneficially owns more than 10% of the issuer's outstanding Common Stock.  This report shall not be deemed an admission that the reporting person and any other person or persons in fact constitute a &quot;group&quot; for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the reporting person disclaims that it is the beneficial owner of securities owned by such other person or persons, except to the extent of the reporting person's pecuniary interest, if any, therein.                                                                                                                                                                                       *Duly authorized under Special Power of Attorney appointing Michael Larson attorney-in-fact, dated November 13, 2006, by and on behalf of William H. Gates III and Melinda French Gates, as Co-Trustees of the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Founda
tion Trust, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation Trust's Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 13G with respect to Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A. de C.V. on February 13, 2007, SEC File No. 005-52421, and incorporated by reference herein.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation Trust By: /s/ Michael Larson*, Attorney-in-Fact for each of the Co-Trustees, William H. Gates III and Melinda French Gates</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-11-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----