FIXD OBD-II Active Car Health Monitor
The FIXD OBD-II is a sort-of mechanic and sort-of babysitter for your car. So I guess it's more like a vehicular personal assistant. Or your mama. The active car health monitor plugs into most any post-1996, gas-powered car's On-Board Diagnostic (OBD-II) port, where it analyzes and transmits a constant feed of app-based information about your car's well-being to your iOS or Android smartphone.
FIXD's primary service is to diagnose and explain WTF is going on with your check engine light when the dreaded blare appears. Within the app you'll see a notification of what activated the light and, according to FIXD, what that means "in plain English." The app discusses the severity and consequences of each possible check engine trigger in 2 to 3 sentences covering how it could impact your car. The OBD-II buddy can also clear the light if the problem is a simple fix that doesn't require a mechanic (e.g., loose or missing gas cap).
FIXD also sends out automatic maintenance reminders for servicing and oil changes, as well as estimates what the procedure should cost for you. The monitor works continuously, whether your car is on or off, and if you buy multiple FIXD OBD-II units for other cars in your household you can track them all within the same app.
DudeIWantThat.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
007 Motorized License Plate Masks
When and where you use your 007s to play 007 is up to you, but, yes, the motorized license plate masks hide your vehicle's digits at the press of a button and, no, it's probably not a good idea to activate them every...
The $6,800, 84 MPG Elio
Just to calm your immediate concerns, yes, the forthcoming Elio will be available in colors other than Ghostbusters Slimer. An American-made, China-priced 3-wheeler, Elio heralds itself as a next-generation personal transporter...
/rplate-digital-license-plates-61456.jpg?mode=crop "RPlate Digital License Plates")
RPlate Digital License Plates
Neville Boston calls metal license plates "a 19th century feature of 21st century life." Boston is the co-founder of Reviver, a company that has launched digital license plates called RPlates, in an effort to make your...
Legacy Power Wagon
The Legacy Power Wagon. As the name suggests, it isn't new, but with only a handful crafted per year--by artisan auto mechanics at Legacy Classic Trucks in Jackson Hole, Wyoming--it remains one of the truck world's most...
Cardok Underground Parking
Boy do I hate having to park both the Porsche and the Lambo on the front circle drive. It really detracts from the visual splendor of my gilded front door and Batman topiary. What, a retractable underground parking space...
The Batmobile Jr.
Motor trike. Until about 3 seconds ago that term seemingly would have referred to something incredibly lame, wouldn't it? Especially when used in tandem with descriptors such as "electric vehicle" and "eco-friendly"...
/windshieldwow-clean-both-44869.jpg?mode=crop "WindshieldWOW! - Clean Both Sides at Once")
WindshieldWOW! - Clean Both Sides at Once
A WindshieldWOW! and its magnetic design that makes it possible to clean both the outside and the inside of your car's windshield at once wouldn't do much for me, as I tend not to clean the outside or inside of any part...
/stuff-to-keep-in-your-car-37523.jpg?mode=crop "Stuff to Keep in Your Car")
Stuff to Keep in Your Car
Whether I'm in the car commuting or road tripping, driving or riding shotgun, there are certain items I like to have on hand on the off almost certain chance I get stuck in traffic...
Rear Window LED Messenger
The Drivemocion Rear Window LED Messenger is probably legal in only, like, 10 states (I'd guess the spectrally left and right ones, such as Massachusetts and Texas), but for those of you living amidst bureaucratic leniency...
/funny-car-truck-unused-61400.jpg?mode=crop "Funny Car & Truck Unused Buttons Stickers")
Funny Car & Truck Unused Buttons Stickers
Whenever another driver commits an egregious act on the road that almost kills me, or just really pisses me off, I always envision having a button on my car that shoots darts out from the undercarriage. Darts, of course...
The Homer Car
Homer Simpson, at the behest of Herb, who felt his company needed a vehicle that would entice the "average" American, once designed a car encompassing the precise attributes he himself wanted atop 4 wheels. The result:...
/kiravan-18546.jpg?mode=crop "Planes, Terrains & Automobiles: 10 Alternative Rides")
Planes, Terrains & Automobiles: 10 Alternative Rides
The vehicles of tomorrow we keep hearing about? Luxurious street-legal hybrids that kill it off-road. Self-sufficient wheeled islands that can high-tail it off the grid when the world goes south. Electric wonders that...