By David Glenn
Some people know cars inside and out. They can spot any car on the street and immediately tell you its make, model, year, and its positive and negative qualities. And then there are those of us who know, well, that our cars run and have four doors. Here’s hoping that those of us who are lost in the car department aren’t as equally lost in the iPhone department. Here are five apps you (whether an expert or completely lost) need to know about.
1. Repair Pal App
As you can probably guess, the Repair Pal App is all about helping you out when your car gives you attitude. Maybe you’ve blown a tire. Or perhaps the semi just ahead of you decided to leave a nice present in your windshield in the form of a giant crack. Whatever the problem, the Repair Pal App is set up to help you get the problem fixed without a huge hassle. It will tell you how much you should pay for the repair (so as to not get hopelessly ripped off). It also shows you where to find a mechanic. Or, if you find your lemon of a vehicle completely unwilling to budge, you can easily access roadside assistance using the app as well.
2. Rev App
The Rev App is for those who want to know the inner workings of their cars on a consistent basis. It’s almost as if it can actually talk to your vehicle. Through communication with your car’s ECU via its OBD-II port, this app will tell you pretty much anything you could want to know. Rev can tell you your current speed, RPM, fuel pressure, and engine coolant temperature. It will also tell you your fuel consumption and fuel levels. Rev is also great for listing engine codes, which can tell you what is wrong if your “check engine” light happens to come on.
3. iOnRoad App
This app is beneficial for any driver. It warns drivers of potential accidents, as well as watches for ways to keep the driver (and passengers, of course) safe. For example, it will alert you if you are too close to the car in front of you (which, admittedly may annoy tailgaters.) It also monitors your speed and keeps you from drifting into other lanes. And guess what? It also scolds you for texting while behind the wheel! Well, it doesn’t actually scold you, but it will alert you that what you are doing is not safe. It will also help you find your vehicle in the sea of cars at the mall (all without having to use the panic button). And finally, it will record activity, so that if you ever need it in case of an accident, you’ll have footage of what happened. This can help clear up matters with insurance companies, whether CTP or vehicle insurance.
4. Trapster App
If you’re one of those drivers who just cannot stand being stuck in traffic or encountering other types of obstacles while on the road, this app is a good one for you. Trapster alerts drivers of red-light cameras, speed traps, and speed cameras. It also tells you about potential traffic jams and other road hazards that might slow your driving progress. Good-bye, Mr. Traffic Jam and Mr. Fuzz.
5. TripAlyzer App
And finally, TripAlyzer. The TripAlyzer App is a bit more pricey than some other driving apps at around six dollars, but many find it completely worth the price. It’s definitely for those who are conscious about the ever-rising prices they pay at the gas pump. This app analyzes their driving and gives them an efficiency score. It allows drivers to understand how their driving can greatly reduce their gas prices.
So if you’re a driver who’d like to be a bit more in the “know” with your car, driving conditions, and gas efficiency, give these apps a try. They might just change your life behind the wheel.
