Tech: 10 Diagnostic Apps That Will Make You a Better Driver
Do you think you could become a better driver? If you’re like most Americans, you probably don’t! 64% of American’s think they are either excellent or very good drivers, but the facts show that might not actually be the case. So, while you may not be as good of a driver as you think – don’t be disheartened, an app might be all you need to become a better driver.
Perhaps this shouldn’t be a surprise; apps can do pretty much anything today – as my site, SpyApps Software, shows. In this post we’ll look at 10 diagnostic apps which can make you a better driver. You can find these apps in the Apple App Store or Google Play (and some of them in both).
1. DevToaster’s Rev
This app won a Popular Mechanics Editor’s Choice Award back in 2009 and is a very useful app for any driver. DevToaster’s Rev has been compared to having a driving instructor joining you in your car for every single ride! Although this driving instructor is not likely to make you feel the need to look over your shoulder for reassurance with every move you make.
Price: $39.95 (plus $150 for required OBD-II Transmitter)
2. Car MD
The Car MD is a very easy-to-use gadget that helps you work out what’s causing your car to be unwell. Think Web MD, but for the health of that special car in your life. The Car MD finds out the trouble code causing your Check Engine light to illuminate, then sends you to a website which explains what’s wrong. If that wasn’t enough, it also helps estimate the cost of the repair – which hopefully will be a lot less than you were expecting!
Price: $70
3. GoPoint Technology GL1 Cable
This device connects to an iPhone or iPod touch through a cable in order to find out what is causing your Check Engine light to illuminate. It is used to provide you with an explanation to the fault in your car. If you would prefer a wireless connection to your iPhone, then a Bluetooth version is available (called the BL1) for the same price.
Price: $99
4. PLX Kiwi Drive Green
If you get the feeling that you might not be getting the most out of your gallon of gas, then this efficiency coach is perfect for you. It comes with a large menu of efficiency coaches and attempts to make fuel efficiency fun with the “Kiwi Score” game. The game challenges you to get the best fuel efficiency score. The prize for winning is not just a high score, but a massive saving in your fuel costs (and it’s better for the environment too).
Price: $199.95
5. PLX Kiwi MPG
The PLX Kiwi MPG is a very scaled back version of the PLX Kiwi Drive Green. You don’t get the efficiency coaches in this device, but you do get a trip computer and instantaneous fuel-economy reading for cars which didn’t come with them built in.
Price: $89.95
6. PLX Kiwi WiFi
Yes, one more PLX Kiwi device here – they really are that good! This device connects wirelessly to your car’s computer with your smartphone and allows you to read diagnostic codes. It also allows you to track the performance of your car using GPS similar to the DevToaster Rev. There is also a Bluetooth version of this device available which costs around $50 less.
Price: $149.95
7. Torque
Torque is a very popular Android app that allows you to see the thousands of parameters being monitored by your cars ECU (engine control unit). It is a must-buy for any Android device owners, especially when you take into account the low price of the app
Price: $4.95 (plus $20-$100 for the required OBD-II Bluetooth transmitter)
8. OBDroid
This is another Android only diagnostic app for your car. It also calculates fuel economy, can reset the Check Engine light and displays fault codes.
Price: $2.99 (plus $20-$100 for the required OBD-II Bluetooth transmitter)
9. VoyagerDash
While this Android only app is cheaper than the two previous apps – it does not offer the function to reset the Check Engine light.
Price: $1.00 (plus $20-$100 for the required OBD-II Bluetooth transmitter)
10. alOBD ScanGenPro
This app does not have the most appealing name, but it does come with built-in descriptions of error codes – making it much easier for you to understand exactly what’s wrong. Another good plus with the ScanGenPro is that you can customize it to capture specific data, which can be very useful.
Price: $4.99 (plus $20-$100 for the required OBD-II Bluetooth transmitter)