USA TODAY International Edition
Car gadgets can rev up a gift list
Barry McGee found the perfect car gadget for his next road trip – and just in time.
The device, called FIXD (fixdapp.com/; $59), is a diagnostic tool that plugs into your car. It communicates with an app on your smartphone and translates your car’s error codes, making it easier to render a diagnosis when the “check engine” light flickers on.
When his neighbor’s car went on the blink, he plugged in FIXD for a diagnosis. It showed a P0301 error code – a problem with one of her cylinders.
As you look for a holiday gift this season, don’t forget your car. The latest gadgets and accessories help you find your car when it’s stolen, let you drive it better and even fix it when it’s broken.
McGee, a retired railroad worker from Richmond, Virginia, installed FIXD in his Ford Expedition, where it translates his vehicle’s coded diagnostic messages into English. FIXD also has a mechanic referral service, ensuring that whatever problem the app finds, he won’t be overcharged for a repair. He has used it to interpret the error codes on his travels, too.
“I’m thoroughly impressed by it,” he says.
That’s not the only thing that’ll impress you or your car. Here are a few car gifts worth considering during the holidays:
Charger: For some odd reason, cars still don’t have enough power outlets. But that’s easily remedied with a charger. The most efficient ones are the tiny USB chargers that use the cigarette lighter. For some equally odd reason, cars still have cigarette lighters. Go figure. The top-rated charger is the Scosche ReVolt dual (scosche.com/; $24.99), billed as the world’s smallest USB car charger for mobile devices. The
Christopher Elliott USA TODAY
ReVolt’s USB ports pack 12 watts of power, which allows you to charge two iPads or smartphones at the same time.
Another great charger option is the X5 by RapidX (rapidx.io/; $24.99), which features five intelligent USB ports that detect your devices and deliver a quick charge. “Everyone can charge in the car without sharing outlets,” says Kerri Hatter, a substitute teacher from Ladera Ranch, California, who discovered the X5 online.
Dash cam: A dash cam – a camera on your dashboard – records your entire trip. It’s a safety feature, offering video evidence if you’re in an accident. But you never know what else you might capture on the cam. (Check out the dash cam accident videos on YouTube if you don’t believe me.) One of the latest entries into the dash cam market is Nextbase (nextbase.com/en-us)/, which offers five models in the American market. The high-end Nextbase 612GW 4K Dash Cam ($249), records in 30 frames-persecond video, which is considered Ultra HD. It also features a 150-degree ultrawide-angle view, innovative polarizing filter, GPS logging and a smartphone app for Wi-Fi connectivity.
Mount: You have devices, but where do you put them? If you’re driving my Honda CR-V, the answer is nowhere. By that, I mean there’s nowhere you can drop a Google Pixel 2 phone inside an Otterbox case. Many travelers have the same problem. They place their smartphone on an armrest, where it waits to slide between the seat when you make a sharp turn.
Most dashboard mounts are clunky, flimsy or both. But not all of them. One of the most solid mounts available is manufactured by RAM (rammount.com; $56.99). Its mount uses a 3.3-diameter suction cup twist-lock base and a spring-loaded cradle to hold your phone in place. Once it’s there, it won’t move, which is something you can’t say for many of the other slippy-slidey mounts on the market.
An OBD II port accessory: Almost every car made since 1996 has an onboard diagnostic port, which the FIXD connects to. Look below your steering wheel for yours. The Automatic Pro (automatic.com/pro/; $129) is widely considered the latest and greatest in OBD accessories. It connects to your smartphone, logging your trips and fill-ups, diagnosing any engine problems and sending you crash alerts. I’ve also tested Hum by Verizon (hum.com; equipment starts at $29.99; monthly subscription starts at $10), which has many of the same features but also has roadside assistance and a mechanics hotline, among other extras. Bottom line: That OBD II port should not go empty during the holidays. You can put it to good use.
But along with these recommendations, here’s a warning: Too many gadgets can take away from the driving experience.
In other words, buy something nice for your car – but don’t overdo it.
Christopher Elliott is a consumer advocate. Contact him at chris@elliott.org or visit elliott.org.