In this article on Naijaknowhow, I’ll be writing about the finest micro mechanic apps for smartphones. Micro Mechanic is a small device that plugs into a vehicle’s OBD-II port and diagnoses the issues making your engine light turn on. Just plug the Micro Mechanic into your car’s OBD-II port, enable Bluetooth on your device, and scan.
If you want to make the most of your micro mechanic device, all you need is a good app to use with it. These apps can connect to your mechanic device and allow you to easily diagnose your vehicle with just a few taps. By using these micro mechanic apps, you can identify any issues with your car, monitor its sensors, and see how it’s performing in real time.
By using these apps, you can have a streamlined view of your vehicle’s performance. They provide real-time information about your car, allowing you to see how it’s doing at any given moment. Whether you’re interested in fuel efficiency, engine performance, or other aspects of your car’s operation, these applications give you the data you need.
What is a Micro Mechanic App?
A micro mechanic app is designed to diagnose and provide insights into vehicle health and performance. It typically connects to a small device plugged into a car’s onboard diagnostics (OBD-II) port, allowing users to monitor various metrics such as engine health, fuel efficiency, and potential issues through their smartphone or tablet.
How We Evaluate the Best Apps:
We prioritise the confidence our readers place in us by conducting evaluations of the top apps on both Android and iOS platforms through extensive testing and research. We deploy humans to test and compile articles to help those who are looking for the best of the best. Our team of tech writers and a small tech community invest significant time experimenting with and using these tech products or software. As a result, we reach well-informed conclusions based on the effectiveness, user experience, and customer support offered by the apps. It’s important to note that we never receive compensation for featuring apps in our articles or for linking to any websites. You can read more about how we review apps and software on Naijaknowhow.
After a series of examinations and tests of these apps, here are some of the features you should look out for in a micro mechanic app:
- User-friendly interface
- Diagnostic tool for identifying issues
- Real-time data monitoring
- Maintenance reminders
List of the Best Micro Mechanic Apps for Android and iOS
With these apps, you can quickly and easily find out what might be wrong with your car. With them you can understand fault codes and issues better, and take appropriate action. Below is a list of recommended micro mechanic apps for your smartphone.
1. Car Scanner ELM OBD2
This is a useful app for car owners that helps them identify and understand any problems with their vehicles. By connecting to a mechanic device via Bluetooth, the app provides real-time information about the car’s condition, including OBD trouble codes and ongoing operations.
Users can personalize the dashboard by adding gauges to track specific metrics and even access in-depth information from the car’s manufacturer by adding custom PIDs. The app also features a comprehensive database of fault codes with detailed descriptions, making it essential for those dealing with frequent DTC fault codes.
In addition, it offers ECU test results, provides tips for car repairs to save on costs, and enables users to check if the vehicle is ready for emissions testing and monitor sensor performance.
Pros:
- Real-time vehicle information
- Customizable dashboard
- Comprehensive fault code database
- ECU test results
Cons:
- Learning curve for beginners
- Some features require additional purchases
2. Infocar
This versatile app for car owners provides a comprehensive analysis of their vehicle’s performance. It conducts a thorough diagnosis and identifies any potential problems with the ignition, electronic circuit, or other areas. The app also notifies users about fault codes, categorizing them into three levels and providing detailed descriptions for better understanding.
In addition, Infocar evaluates the user’s driving style and highlights any unsafe habits they may have. By analyzing driving records, it assigns a score based on safety and economic considerations. The app allows users to track their overall mileage, average speed, and detailed trip records.
It provides a detailed breakdown of instances of speeding, rapid acceleration, and sharp turns. For enhanced safety, users can activate an alert system to warn them of dangerous situations. Moreover, the app offers customizable display options to suit individual preferences.
Pros:
- Comprehensive vehicle performance analysis
- Detailed fault code notifications
- Driving evaluation for safety and economy
- Customizable display options
Cons:
- In-app purchases
- May need technical knowledge to interpret diagnostics
3. OBD Auto Doctor
This is a helpful app that allows you to keep track of your car’s performance. It acts as a diagnostic tool, giving you valuable information about your vehicle. With this app, you can monitor real-time measurements such as engine temperature and torque by customizing the dashboard with widgets.
It also provides important data on the readiness status, which is necessary for emission testing, and covers various service routines like filter regeneration and evaporative system leak tests. The app allows you to read and understand diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) with comprehensive explanations.
In addition, the OBD Auto Doctor Car Scanner enables you to reset the check engine light and clear trouble codes without the need for a mechanic. It even includes a fuel consumption tracking feature that provides detailed reports and tips on how to save money on gas. While the app is free, some advanced tools and features require subscription.
Pros:
- Real-time performance monitoring
- Check engine light reset capability
- Fuel consumption tracking for cost savings
- Comprehensive diagnostic trouble code explanations
Cons:
- Some advanced features require subscription
- Limited functionality without OBD-II adapter
- Compatibility issues with certain car models
4. EOBD Facile
EOBD Facile is a helpful app that connects to a car scanner tool via Bluetooth, allowing users to monitor their vehicle’s status in real-time. It works with various car mechanic tools, making it compatible with a wide range of vehicles. The app is particularly useful for identifying the reasons behind the check engine light being on.
With EOBD Facile, users can instantly view trouble codes and access detailed descriptions for over 15,000 code definitions. It even enables users to delete the codes themselves without the need for costly visits to mechanics.
The app offers customizable notification settings to alert users about any issues that require attention, allowing them to focus on specific car parts like the gearbox or engine. In addition, EOBD Facile displays real-time data from car sensors, such as vehicle speed, engine temperature, and air intake, which users can save as records for future reference.
Pros:
- Real-time monitoring of vehicle status
- Customizable notification settings
- Ability to delete codes without mechanic visits
- Detailed descriptions for over 15,000 trouble codes
Cons:
- Basic free features compared to other apps
- In-app purchases required for more features
- Limited functionality without additional hardware
5. Simply Auto
Simply Auto is a popular app designed for car mechanics and car owners to easily manage their vehicles. It offers several useful features, including the ability to log fuel consumption and costs, track vehicle expenses, set reminders for maintenance and repairs, and view detailed statistics and charts of fuel usage over time.
The app also includes a GPS tracker that allows users to track their trips, calculate distances, and monitor fuel consumption for each journey. While Simply Auto doesn’t diagnose car problems directly, it helps users monitor their vehicle’s health by keeping track of fuel usage and expenses. By regularly recording this information, users can identify potential issues.
In that way, users can take action before issues become more serious. The app is user-friendly, with a simple layout and clear instructions, although it may take some time to become familiar with navigating its features. It doesn’t require any additional hardware since it utilizes the smartphone’s built-in GPS and sensors to gather vehicle data.
Pros:
- Easy vehicle management
- Trip tracking with GPS
- Identifies potential issues
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Performance issues
- Subscription required for more features
6. CarSys Scan
CarSys Scan is a car scanner app that helps you identify problems with your car. It offers various features and tools to analyze your car’s performance. With the app, you can check engine lights, read codes, conduct sensor tests, and retrieve the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It is compatible with different scan tools and connects to your car using Bluetooth.
One of the key features of the app is the ability to detect and clear Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). It provides a comprehensive database of code descriptions, allowing you to understand the specific issue affecting your car.
The app displays information such as the distance traveled, engine run time, and number of warm-up cycles. It also provides detailed vehicle information like ID number, calibration ID, verification number, and operation tracking. You can customize a real-time dashboard by adding gauges and metrics of your interest. While the app is free to use, it does display ads.
Pros:
- Comprehensive diagnostic tools
- Detailed code descriptions
- Real-time dashboard customization
- Compatibility with various scan tools
Cons:
- Displays ads
- Learning curve
- May not cover all car models
- Compatibility issues with some phone models
Download Link: Android
7. Torque Pro
Torque Pro is an app for cars that acts like your personal mechanic. It connects to a scanner tool using Bluetooth, letting you see how your vehicle is performing in real-time. With OBD-II support, you can check detailed engine data, fuel usage, speed, and even detect fault codes. It has a big database of fault codes with descriptions, which is helpful.
You can reset these codes yourself to save money on repairs. You can also customize your dashboard and add widgets for the information you care about. In addition to checking engine data, Torque Pro can read transmission temperature and provide accurate speed information. It allows you to record your drives to analyze performance when needed.
If you’re traveling by car, there’s a feature that automatically sends your location to Twitter. Although the app’s user interface may look a bit outdated, it doesn’t affect its functionality. Overall, Torque Pro offers a range of useful features for car owners.
Pros:
- Real-time engine performance monitoring
- Extensive database of fault codes with descriptions
- Customizable dashboard and widgets
- Ability to reset fault codes yourself
Cons:
- Limited aesthetic appeal
- Requires additional hardware (OBD-II scanner tool)
- Requires purchase to use
Download Link: Android
8. CarDiag
CarDiag is a helpful app for people who want to keep track of their car’s health. It’s made for both professionals and regular car owners who want to know if something’s wrong with their vehicle. The app can read and fix any problems it finds, like error codes, and it shows live data from sensors in your car.
You can do a lot with CarDiag. It can show you things like how your engine is doing or if there are any issues with other systems in your car. Plus, it has extra features for certain car models that give you even more information and tests to do.
Some people say they’ve had problems with CarDiag not being advanced enough. But overall, it’s a good tool for finding out what’s going on with your car and making sure it stays in good shape.
Pros:
- Easy to use interface
- Offers live sensor data
- Can perform tests on different vehicle systems
- Enhanced diagnostics for specific car models
Cons:
- In-app purchases
- Potential for technical glitches or bugs
- May not cover all vehicle models comprehensively
- Limited troubleshooting capabilities for complex issues
Download Link: Android
Conclusion
Having these micro mechanic apps can greatly improve your car-owning experience. These apps connect to your micro mechanic device and enable you to diagnose your vehicle easily, track its sensors, and view real-time performance data. By using these apps, you can stay on top of your car’s health and make informed decisions to ensure it runs smoothly.