A car diagnostic app is an app you can download on your android or IOS phone. When connected to an OBD interface it allows you to read data about the state of your car on your mobile phone. Through the app, you can know the temperature of your engine or tires, your fuel consumption, and other relevant information about the state of the systems in your car.
What does OBD stand for?
OBD means On-Board Diagnostics. It is an inbuilt computer system in a vehicle that regulates and tracks the vehicle’s performance. It collects information from the various sensors in the car and uses them to regulate the car systems or inform the driver about problems in the car. Vehicle data can be collected from the OBD by a technician and he can easily diagnose problems in the car. OBD helps drivers and car owners better understand the state of their vehicles.
OBD and Car Diagnostic App
The OBD is the connection between your car and the app on your mobile phone. Instead of having a technician read the data on the OBD in your car, you can read it yourself through a car diagnostic app on your mobile phone. The OBD monitors the car’s systems and takes record of error codes. You can connect an adapter to the OBD output and then connect your mobile phone to it through WLAN or Bluetooth. This will enable you to read the data.
Car diagnostic apps can evaluate error codes. These error codes are stored by the vehicle’s control unit whenever the motor has a problem. You can know the condition of your car through the error code evaluations of the app. Most times, you can reset the evaluated codes yourself through the app and solve the problem your car is facing. This saves you the money and time you would have spent by going to the repairer’s shop.
The best Car diagnostic Apps
- Carly
This app is a famous car diagnostic app. It has more than 1 million installations. You can get it on App Store and Playstore. It has the following features:
It allows for easy reading and resetting of error codesIt records engine readings and other relevant information in real-time. It uses the terms “sick” or “healthy” to describe the state of the car. This makes the car’s condition easy to understand. It has very clear graphics.
- OBDLink
This app can’t be used with just any OBD adapter, it can only be used with the appropriate ones. You can get it on App Store and Playstore. It possesses the following features:
Easy reading and resetting of error codes. It can read over ninety different values and evaluate them as well in real-time. It can record and analyze fuel usage while drivingThere are no ads on the app
- Dash Command
The Dash Command app works well with Bluetooth and it provides diagnostics at a high rate in real-time. You can get it on App Store and Playstore. It has the following features:
It can easily read the error codes of many car manufacturers and reset them. It can record and analyze all your routes at the end. It has features that enable it to analyze a car’s acceleration and the performance of its brakes It records and analyzes fuel consumption while driving.
- Carista
This app has more than 500,000 installations on Android. You can get it on App Store and Playstore. This app has the following features:
The free version allows for easy reading and resetting of error codes. The app is best suited for Lexus, BMW, Audi, SEAT, Toyota, and Volkswagen cars. The car’s ABS, airbags, and navigation can be adjusted. It gives overheating signals.
Conclusion
Having a car diagnostic app and using it helps you to recognize minor car problems you can easily reset through the app. It also helps you to use your car more safely by increasing your awareness of the health conditions of the car. You can easily get any of the car diagnostic apps above from either Playstore or App Store.
- What are the most important qualities to consider before buying a car diagnostic app?
You should look out for the operation, the price, and the functionality. You should also ensure it can be updated regularly, it protects data and keeps it properly stored in the app.
- Can an external car diagnostic device be used instead of a car diagnostic app?
Yes, however, a car diagnostic app is less expensive to use. You will have to purchase a computer with the external device before you can use it. Using the app is better because it is installed on a smartphone which is already a computer.
