My Experience with FIXD OBD2 Scanner
I give this app 4 stars because it does exactly what I needed: it takes the panic out of driving an older car. My 2012 sedan is reliable, but that little orange engine light used to make my stomach drop. Last March, it came on just as I was leaving for my grandson’s Saturday soccer game. I used to have no choice but to drive straight to the garage, praying it wasn’t expensive. With FIXD, I pulled back into my driveway, plugged the sensor into the port under my steering wheel (took me a minute to find it the first time), and had an answer in less than a minute. It said “Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (small)” and told me the gas cap might be loose. Sure enough, I hadn’t tightened it after filling up. I screwed it on, cleared the code right in the app, and made it to the game on time. For a retiree on a fixed income, avoiding a $150 diagnostic fee for a loose cap is a huge win. It’s given me a lot of peace of mind over the past year.
Features Worth Noting
The best part is how simple it makes everything. The main screen is just a big colored circle—green, yellow, or red—with a health score. I don’t want to see a bunch of graphs and numbers. I just want to know: is it safe to drive to the store? The app tells me. The maintenance reminders are a lifesaver for my memory. I put in my last oil change, and now it pings me when I’m getting close to the next one. It’s like a little digital post-it note for my car. I also added my wife’s car to my account, so I can keep an eye on both from my one phone. Being able to clear a check engine light myself after I’ve fixed the problem (like that gas cap) feels oddly satisfying. It’s not magic, but it sure feels close when the light goes off and stays off.
What Needs Work
The app isn’t perfect, and a few things bug me. Sometimes, especially after an update, the app on my Pixel 7 takes a long time to connect to the little sensor. I have to force-close it and try again. For something you might use in a stressful moment, it needs to connect fast every single time. Also, while the explanations are good, they can be a bit vague. It once told me I had a “Fuel System Too Rich” code. The explanation said it could be a dozen different things, from a dirty air filter to a failing sensor. I still had to take it to my mechanic, George, to pinpoint it. I wish it could be a bit more specific to help me decide if it’s a quick fix or a big job.
Pricing
You need to buy the physical sensor, which I got on sale for about fifty bucks. The app itself is free. I’ve never felt the need to pay for their premium subscription. The free version does the main job of reading and explaining codes, which is all I wanted. Compared to one trip to the auto parts store to borrow their scanner (which just shows a code you have to Google anyway), the sensor has more than paid for itself. I keep it in my glove box and it’s become part of my car’s essential kit, like jumper cables.
Developer Notes
I haven’t had to contact support myself, thank goodness. Looking at the reviews in the Play Store, it seems like people have mixed experiences. Some say they got help quickly, others say it took a while. The app does get updated every couple of months, which is good. I just wish the updates didn’t occasionally mess with the connection stability. They seem to be actively working on it, adding support for newer cars, which is a positive sign that they haven’t just abandoned the thing.
Security & Privacy
This did cross my mind. You’re plugging a device into your car that talks to an app on your phone. The privacy policy says they collect vehicle data to improve their service, but they claim it’s anonymized. I’m not a tech expert, so I have to take their word for it. It makes me a little uneasy, but the convenience and cost savings have outweighed that concern for me so far. I just make sure I’m not storing any super personal information in the app’s notes section.
How does the FIXD app tell me if my car is safe to drive?
The app's main screen shows a big colored circle—green, yellow, or red—along with a health score. This simple design lets you know at a glance whether it's safe to drive to the store without needing to understand complex graphs or numbers.
Can I use FIXD to track maintenance for multiple cars?
Yes, you can add multiple vehicles to your account and monitor them all from one phone. The app also sends maintenance reminders, like when your next oil change is due, so you don't have to remember everything yourself.
What should I do if the FIXD app takes a long time to connect to the sensor?
This can happen occasionally, especially after an app update on Android phones like the Pixel 7. Try restarting the app, making sure your phone's Bluetooth is on, and reinserting the sensor into the OBD2 port to re-establish the connection.
Can I clear a check engine light myself after fixing the problem?
Yes, once you've fixed the issue—like tightening a loose gas cap—you can clear the diagnostic code right inside the app. It's satisfying to see the light go off and stay off without needing a trip to the mechanic.
How does FIXD compare to getting a diagnostic at a repair shop?
FIXD gives you the same type of code reading and description that a shop would, but instantly and for free after you buy the scanner. For example, it can tell you a small evaporative leak is just a loose gas cap, saving you a $150 diagnostic fee for something you can fix yourself.
