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View Full Version : Car Repair Gizmo. Real or Snake Oil?



TravelGal
07-04-17, 01:46 PM
Saw an advertorial for this thing--FIXD. Says it tells you everything the car repair diagnosticians can. Yes? Or just a way to fleece $88 from a LOT of people? http://consumerstricks.com/new-device-that-mechanics-wont-want-you-knowing-al/?&voluumdata=BASE64dmlkLi4wMDAwMDAwMy04OGE5LTRlZGQtO DAwMC0wMDAwMDAwMDAwMDBfX3ZwaWQuLjZlNWIxMDAwLTYwMTk tMTFlNy04NTUwLWFmYmZkNWQzZTA3OV9fY2FpZC4uZmY2NjFmO DItZTUwMS00N2M0LTkzNDctZjAzYjkyNTMxYTMwX19ydC4uUl9 fbGlkLi44NmE3NzVlYy00NjljLTQwZmYtOGM3OS0wZjJmZDVkZ jZiNGNfX29pZDEuLmMyMDIzMjFkLTI1YzQtNDFmMS04OWQ0LTI xMmU3Y2Y0YTkyZV9fdmFyMS4uYWwwNzAzMTdmaXhkMWFkN19fc mQuLl9fYWlkLi5fX2FiLi5fX3NpZC4uX19jcmkuLl9fcHViLi5 fX2RpZC4uX19kaXQuLl9fcGlkLi5fX2l0Li5fX3Z0Li4xNDk5M TA1MzAzMDE3&s1=al070317fixd1ad7

SteveH
07-04-17, 02:16 PM
There are several on Amazon like this. Many under $20

Here's (KOBRA Wireless OBD2 Car Code Reader Scan Tool OBD Scanner Connects Via WiFi With IOS, Android & Windows Device, Features 3000 Code Database, For Most Vehicles In the USA! Diagnose Your Car Like a Pro! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C3HAHCS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_vS9wzbF6WFGDH) an Amazon Best Seller

TravelGal
07-04-17, 05:42 PM
There are several on Amazon like this. Many under $20

Here's (KOBRA Wireless OBD2 Car Code Reader Scan Tool OBD Scanner Connects Via WiFi With IOS, Android & Windows Device, Features 3000 Code Database, For Most Vehicles In the USA! Diagnose Your Car Like a Pro! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C3HAHCS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_vS9wzbF6WFGDH) an Amazon Best Seller

I figured something was up. Thanks. That one didn't open but I'll look further. "This site can’t be reached"

nrc
07-04-17, 06:39 PM
Link format is broken in the post, URL includes description.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C3HAHCS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_vS9wzbF6WFGDH

TravelGal
07-05-17, 02:56 PM
Thx. Seems to be more of a scanner. Doubt we'll bite, even for $20. Thanks all.

pfc_m_drake
07-05-17, 08:47 PM
Thx. Seems to be more of a scanner. Doubt we'll bite, even for $20. Thanks all.
I have this one that connects to android via bluetooth. (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PJPHEBO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) You use it in conjunction with the Torque Lite App (https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwijsO_ntvPUAhXGyj4KHanNCPwQFggiMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Fapps%2 Fdetails%3Fid%3Dorg.prowl.torquefree%26hl%3Den&usg=AFQjCNGN0TJ9TFDAiz3WbLNsw5Bh4aYXMA) from the Play Store.

$10.99 and free shipping if you have Prime. You probably won't do much better than that without garage saling/dumpster diving. I'm actually surprised at how much you can do with the freeware version of the app too!

TravelGal
07-07-17, 11:39 AM
I have this one that connects to android via bluetooth. (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PJPHEBO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) You use it in conjunction with the Torque Lite App (https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwijsO_ntvPUAhXGyj4KHanNCPwQFggiMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Fapps%2 Fdetails%3Fid%3Dorg.prowl.torquefree%26hl%3Den&usg=AFQjCNGN0TJ9TFDAiz3WbLNsw5Bh4aYXMA) from the Play Store.

$10.99 and free shipping if you have Prime. You probably won't do much better than that without garage saling/dumpster diving. I'm actually surprised at how much you can do with the freeware version of the app too!

:thumbup: Thanks!!

pfc_m_drake
07-08-17, 08:15 PM
:thumbup: Thanks!!NP. By the way, it's not super obvious, but I believe the bluetooth PIN that it uses is 1-2-3-4 (without the dashes). I recall that being somewhat difficult to track down in the documentation.

G.
07-09-17, 04:07 PM
I bought one a few years back. Torque Lite is pretty nice.

These only show the basic stuff, plus the emissions diagnostic stuff.

What do you get for the $100-$200 ones? I see they add capability for ABS, SRS, Trans and/or engine functions.

How beneficial is that?

For example, I have a TPMS light that comes on sometimes.
It's due to the sending units being 10+ years old, probably. The tire pressures are good.

Will the expensive ones tell me which wheel is faulty, and that it's due to "no-signal" vs. under-inflated? (I know that I need to replace all of them - just wondering what details you can get.)

TravelGal
07-10-17, 12:14 PM
NP. By the way, it's not super obvious, but I believe the bluetooth PIN that it uses is 1-2-3-4 (without the dashes). I recall that being somewhat difficult to track down in the documentation.

Thanks for that! I just ordered the gizmo yesterday along with some other Amazon stuff.


I bought one a few years back. Torque Lite is pretty nice.

These only show the basic stuff, plus the emissions diagnostic stuff.

What do you get for the $100-$200 ones? I see they add capability for ABS, SRS, Trans and/or engine functions.

How beneficial is that?

For example, I have a TPMS light that comes on sometimes.
It's due to the sending units being 10+ years old, probably. The tire pressures are good.

Will the expensive ones tell me which wheel is faulty, and that it's due to "no-signal" vs. under-inflated? (I know that I need to replace all of them - just wondering what details you can get.)

Calling pfc_m_ rake! Calling pfc_m_drake!

manic mechanic
08-04-17, 01:31 AM
Thanks for that! I just ordered the gizmo yesterday along with some other Amazon stuff.



Calling pfc_m_ rake! Calling pfc_m_drake!

Why not call a pro you know nearby? :confused:

TravelGal
08-07-17, 06:29 PM
Why not call a pro you know nearby? :confused:

I didn't think you were near G. It was his post I replied to. BUT, since you mention it, if you want to stop here on your way to O re gone and pop that little puppy in one of our cars, we'll give you a glass of lemonade as a thanky. :)