FIXD Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner: Amazon
I’ve been testing out a bunch of different scan tools on my cars, trying to see what works well and what doesn’t. Recently when I picked up my recent project car, I got a pleasant surprise when I checked the OBDII port. I kept on getting a bluetooth signal on my phone with the name “FIXD”, but I couldn’t figure out where it was coming from. Turns out, the previous owner of my Audi TT had plugged one of these in and forgotten all about it.
With the recent buzz and popularity around the FIXD scan tool, I wanted to test it out and write a review on it in the case that anyone is interested in purchasing one of these. I’ve heard a bit more about these scan tools within the past few years, but I wonder why this is so popular considering these types of scan tools have been around for a while already.
The FIXD Scan Tool is a bluetooth wireless scan tool that you can plug into the OBDII port of your car in order to troubleshoot any issues you might be experiencing. The way it works is you download the FIXD app on your smartphone and you use it to communicate between the scan tool and the application.
Wireless bluetooth OBDII scan tools are nothing new; they’ve been around for a while now. What I have noticed however is that there are various scan tools devices that are sold, but you need to download a third-party app to communicate with the device. The thing that differentiates FIXD is that it combines their own OBDII scan tool along with their own app, so that everything is integrated.
If you look up reviews on the FIXD scan tool, you’ll find a lot of good reviews. I believe this is because this device is geared towards a lot of people who either typically don’t work on cars. So for the user who uses a device and app such as this for the first time, it’s pretty amazing because you don’t need to pay a mechanic to do the same thing. However, for the person who regularly works on cars, it may result in a lackluster response. This is because the device is just yet another bluetooth scan tool, but it’s paired with an annoying app that seems to keep trying to sell you on their expensive premium subscription.
In addition to purchasing a FIXD Scan Tool (which is about the same price or a little more than similar wireless bluetooth OBDII scan tools), the application will prompt you to try FIXD Premium for free for a week, before it charges you for the subscription for $99.99. The cost gives you some added features and data, which is okay, but the price is really high for these type of features. The good thing is that you can use the app and the scan tool for simply reading and clearing codes, without the need to purchase anything additional.
After you’ve plugged in the scan tool into the OBDII port and run your app, the two devices will pair. Scanning for codes is fairly straightforward and it will give you some additional information/data in addition to the diagnostic trouble codes.
Some of the other features of the app, which might be of use is some generic maintenance service interval information, the ability to track your maintenance items, and a log of your previous scans.
Probably the most annoying thing about FIXD is that the app has so much random features and information that only work to clutter up everything. It is likely for those who don’t know anything about cars and are using this app to research what diagostic trouble codes they are getting on their car and need help every step of the way. All of this which by the way, can be researched on your own with a basic Google search.
On a positive note, the scan tool does seem to pair with the FIXD app pretty seamlessly without any hiccups. Aside from all the annoying and sales-y prompts and features, the the app does run smoothly and I was able to pull and clear diagnostic trouble codes without issues. Finally, beware of the trap of signing up for the free trial, as many reviewers of this product have fallen victim to the expensive subscription fee of $99 automatically charging you after the 1-week free trial period.
FIXD Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner: Amazon
