As a car owner, you’re likely no stranger to the dreaded check engine light. While it can be alarming, understanding what’s going on under the hood doesn’t have to be a mystery, or break the bank. Enter the FIXD OBD2 adapter. Much like having a mechanic in your pocket, this affordable tool, along with your smartphone, offers a way to decipher your car’s health and stay ahead of potential problems. However, is it a comprehensive diagnostic solution, or just a helpful gadget? Let’s dive into a detailed review to see if FIXD lives up to the hype.
The FIXD adapter is a small, user-friendly device that plugs directly into the OBD-II port of any vehicle manufactured in the US since 1996. This port is essentially your car’s diagnostic gateway, allowing the FIXD adapter to communicate with your vehicle’s computer and pull both active and stored fault codes. Like other OBD2 scanners available on the market, FIXD aims to empower car owners with insights into their vehicle’s condition, but it’s important to understand its capabilities and limitations.
It’s worth noting for potential buyers: steer clear of the first-generation FIXD adapter. Early adopters reported issues, but the company has since released a significantly improved second-generation hardware version, which is the focus of this review and has garnered much more positive feedback.
Setting Up Your FIXD OBD2 Scanner
One of the standout features of FIXD is its ease of setup. Getting started is a breeze and should only take about 5 minutes. The process begins with downloading the FIXD app, available for both iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android devices. Unfortunately, unlike some competitors like ScanTool’s OBDLink LX and MX, FIXD doesn’t offer software for Windows or Mac computers, making it solely reliant on smartphone or tablet use.
Once the app is installed, you’ll need to create a FIXD account. If you’re unsure where your car’s OBD-II port is located, the FIXD app offers a helpful support feature. You can email their support team, and they will assist you in locating the port specific to your vehicle’s make and model. After physically plugging the FIXD scanner into the OBD-II port – in this test, a 2014 Audi AllRoad was used with a Samsung Galaxy S6 phone – the app will prompt you about your car maintenance habits, asking if you typically handle repairs yourself or use a mechanic. You then input the FIXD device’s serial number, which is conveniently printed on the side of the adapter.
(Image: FIXD OBD2 Adapter serial number for easy app pairing)
Within moments, the app automatically detects the OBD2 adapter and establishes a Bluetooth connection. The Bluetooth pairing process is seamless and requires no manual input of codes or pairing numbers. The device boasts a Bluetooth range of approximately 35 feet, providing ample freedom to move around the engine bay while viewing diagnostic data on your phone.
The FIXD app’s main “Condition” screen provides a quick overview of your vehicle, displaying the year and model, along with any current fault codes. However, unlike some OBD2 scanners like the ScanTool.net OBDLink LX and MX, FIXD does not display the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on this screen.
Navigating the FIXD app is straightforward. Below the main condition display, you’ll find categories such as “Details” (providing fault code explanations), “Timeline” (for maintenance schedules), and “History” (a log of past events). Each of these sections includes quick links to find local mechanics or access AutoZone for parts, streamlining the repair process.
Diagnosing Car Problems with FIXD
In practical testing, FIXD demonstrated its diagnostic capabilities. When a fault was intentionally introduced – disconnecting the engine oil temperature sensor – FIXD accurately identified the issue and successfully cleared the check engine light after the sensor was reconnected. When FIXD detects a generic fault code, it goes beyond simply displaying the code itself. The app provides a plain-language description of the problem, for example, indicating a faulty oxygen sensor, making the diagnostic information more accessible to non-mechanics.
While FIXD can interpret thousands of generic OBD2 codes and retrieve manufacturer-specific codes, it’s important to note a limitation: it does not provide detailed descriptions for manufacturer-specific codes. Furthermore, FIXD’s diagnostic scope is primarily focused on engine and powertrain related issues. It cannot diagnose problems within systems like airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), or tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). However, the company has stated they are actively working to expand FIXD’s capabilities to include these critical vehicle systems in future updates.
One of FIXD’s particularly useful features is its maintenance reminder system. The app tracks your car’s service history and provides timely reminders for scheduled maintenance. This goes beyond basic oil changes and filter replacements, including reminders for tasks like lubricating sunroof tracks and inspecting constant-velocity (CV) joint boots. FIXD is versatile and can manage maintenance schedules for a single car or an entire family fleet of vehicles within the app. However, it’s worth mentioning that FIXD cannot reset service reminder lights if you perform maintenance yourself, and it lacks the capability to perform pre-inspection emissions checks – features that are available in competing products like the Carista app and adapter.
MORE: The Best OBD-II Scanners for Your Car
Another limitation of FIXD is its lack of real-time dynamic data display. Unlike more advanced OBD2 scanners like ScanTool’s OBDLink LX and MX adapters, FIXD does not display live data such as speed, engine RPM, or fuel pressure. This type of dynamic data can be invaluable for diagnosing intermittent or performance-related issues while driving.
What Car Owners Are Saying in FIXD OBD2 Reviews
The second-generation FIXD adapter has been generally well-received by users. Looking at Amazon reviews, the device currently holds a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars, based on over 70 reviews at the time of the original article. Many users praise FIXD for its ease of use and helpful explanations of error codes. Some user feedback suggests improvements could be made to the initial installation process.
Bottom Line: Is FIXD the Right OBD2 Scanner for You?
Overall, FIXD offers significant value for its price point. From identifying car problems and suggesting potential fixes to reminding you about essential maintenance, it packs a lot of features into an affordable package. While there is still room for software development to expand its diagnostic capabilities, FIXD, or a similar OBD2 device, is a worthwhile tool to keep in your car for routine maintenance reminders and unexpected emergencies.
Pros:
- Affordable price point
- Easy to set up and use
- Provides plain-language explanations of fault codes
- Helpful maintenance reminders
- Supports multiple vehicles
Cons:
- Lacks dynamic data display
- Limited diagnostic capabilities compared to higher-end scanners
- Does not provide detailed manufacturer-specific code descriptions
- Cannot reset service reminder lights or perform emissions pre-checks
Alternatives to Consider:
While FIXD is a solid budget option, the $99.95 BlueDriver is a preferred choice among competing OBD2 scanners for those needing more advanced features. BlueDriver excels at interpreting manufacturer-specific codes for various automakers and offers dynamic driving data. However, it comes at nearly twice the cost of FIXD. For users seeking a very basic and budget-friendly option, the Autel Autolink AL319 is a decent choice, featuring a 2-inch color display, but it doesn’t provide code definitions.
Final Verdict:
FIXD is a good OBD2 scanner, particularly for budget-conscious car owners who want basic diagnostics and maintenance reminders. However, it’s not the top pick for users requiring in-depth diagnostics or dynamic data.
