OBD on your smartphone?

There is no doubt that technology has come a long way in recent years, and this is especially true when we talk about vehicles and smartphones.

Now everything seems to be handled by computers and the use of OBD diagnostic tools is now essential if you want to deal with so many potential issues.

However, it looks like technology continues to advance even in this particular industry, because where in the past you had to rely on a scanner and a computer, the industry has accelerated by introducing the smartphone into the equation.

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How it works

To make this technology work, you need to buy a special interface that plugs into the OBDII connection port on your dashboard. You can buy these adapters here dx.com.

This special interface is actually related to an app that you need to download on your smartphone to make it work and the rest is actually pretty easy to figure out.

This interface sends information from the on-board computer to your phone via Bluetooth and your smartphone app, and then shows you various trouble codes and information that you would normally get from just about every single scanner and device. diagnostic tool on the market.

It really is that simple and, perhaps more importantly, the way it works is impressive, and if that's something you'd like to try, then these are the best apps you can get your hands on right now.

blue driver

The most famous tool of this kind is called Blue Driver and this is a good example as it works with both Android phones and iPhones. This is important as a number of other versions will only work with one or the other, so you need to double check before purchasing.

However, with this version, you will find that it is really "plug and play" so to speak, and it is also worth noting that it is also capable of working with both a tablet computer and a smartphone. All you have to do is download the app, plug in the interface, and then let it scan.

DB link MX

This particular app and tool is only compatible with Android phones as well as Windows, so if you have any type of Apple, you need to look elsewhere. This is considered the fastest version, and you can also leave the Bluetooth interface connected as it has a special sleep mode, meaning it will wake up the app on your phone as soon as something goes wrong.

It's pretty smart stuff, and also extremely easy to understand and use, which is always a bonus. It might be a bit more expensive, but it's worth the extra cost.

Torque Pro

Torque Pro is a surprisingly simple app for Android phones that will show you basic information about how your car is performing as you drive.

The only thing you have to do is connect your Android device through the connector and then it can give you tons of information about your engine and various sensors in your car.

OBD car tracker

The OBD Car Tracker app is a great solution for those with an iPhone or iPad, although there is also an Android version on the market now.

This allows you to track your vehicle using your smartphone, as well as provide you with diagnostic information that allows you to potentially identify a number of different problems.

It sounds an alarm when something goes wrong, and as long as you understand the information it gives you, you'll be surprised at how detailed this app can be.

More apps

There are plenty of others on the market, but perhaps the best part about these smartphone apps is that they don't tend to complicate things by giving you too much information that makes you feel overwhelmed.

They are simple, easy to use, provide you with convenient information, and at the end of the day you will have a better understanding of what is happening with your car.

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