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Fixd OBD-II Active Car Health Monitor

The Fixd Active Car Health Monitor plugs into your vehicle's OBD-II port and connects to an app on your phone to provide maintenance reminders and other helpful info to help keep your car in top shape.

A check engine light can mean serious engine trouble, such as a misfire that can cause extensive and expensive damage if not resolved, or it might just mean you forgot to tighten your gas cap after your last top-off. Fixd ($59.99) is a small sensor that plugs into your car's OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics) port. This neat little accessory scans your car's computer system for error codes, and delivers a diagnosis, in layman's terms, via a mobile app, so you can either try to make the necessary repairs yourself or at least know what to expect before you bring the car to a mechanic. It's easy to use and did a good job of diagnosing problems in our tests, though every so often it had trouble connecting to the Fixd network.

Design and Features

Nextcar Bug artThe Fixd is a smallish device, measuring 1.9 by 1.6 by 0.8 inches (HWD), that plugs into your automobile's On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) port, which grants access to the car's computerized self diagnostic system. All cars manufactured in 1996 and later have an OBD-II port, which is usually located under the dashboard on the driver's side. The Fixd sensor works on all gasoline-powered cars equipped with an OBD-II port, but it doesn't work on cars manufactured before 1996, nor does it work on cars that are powered by diesel engines or cars that are exclusively electric. It will work on hybrid cars, however.

FIXD Car Health Sensor 1When a check engine light comes on it's because the system has detected an issue such as a misfiring cylinder, a malfunctioning mass airflow or oxygen sensor, or a fuel vapor leak. The on-board computer generates a code that mechanics use to troubleshoot and resolve the problem, which is why you'll see them at work staring at a handheld screen with the engine running. The Fixd sensor lets you see what the mechanic sees, and is capable of detecting up to 6,800 possible causes for a check engine light. It also offers a description of the probable cause, along with the standard error code and possible consequences if the issue is not resolved. It'll let you turn off the light, but it won't diagnose other dash light indicators such as ABS (anti-lock brakes), TPMS (tire pressure monitoring), airbag, stability control, or transmission cooling.

The Fixd sensor draws power from the OBD-II port so you never have to worry about charging it, and once it's plugged in you can leave it in. Or you can remove it and use it on any other OBD-II-enabled, gas-powered car.

It uses a free Android or iOS mobile app and communicates with your phone via Bluetooth. The app connects to the Fixd servers via cellular or Wi-Fi to retrieve diagnostic data and save your car's scanned results. It opens to a Condition screen that has a big Tap To Scan button in the center and a small engine icon button just above it. Along the bottom of the screen are Timeline, Wear Items, and Logbook buttons, as well as a button that takes you back to the Condition screen.

FIXD Car Health Sensor 3Use the Tap To Scan button to begin a scan: If no problems are detected you'll see a green Fixd icon, if moderate issues such as a faulty EVAP sensor are found the icon will turn yellow, and if it identifies more severe problems such as a misfire or a malfunctioning EGR Vacuum regulator the icon will turn red. If an issue is detected, tap the Details icon to see the diagnosis with a brief description and possible consequences if the issue is not resolved.

Tapping the engine icon opens the Other Dash Lights screen with buttons for Brake System, Brake Pads, Engine Coolant, Oil Pressure, Tire Pressure, Stability Control, Maintenance Light, and others. As mentioned, the Fixd does not currently scan for issues with these components, but if you tap any icon you'll get a description of what the light means. The Timeline screen offers maintenance reminders including routine oil changes (every five months), tire rotation, air filter replacement, steering linkage inspection and lubrication, transmission fluid changes, and more. Tapping the Wear Items button takes you to a screen where you can enter information about the battery, tires, and windshield wipers, such as the last time they were replaced, the amount of tread, and the battery voltage (there's even a built-in voltage tester).

Fixd will use this data to notify you when it's time to replace the battery, wipers, and tires, and has a Purchase button that gives you a list of compatible parts you can purchase through Amazon. The Logbook keeps records of recent scan results and cleared codes.

Tapping the three-bar icon in the upper right corner launches a menu where you can view and edit your account information, add new sensors to your account, see a map of local repair shops, buy parts, and view active recalls for your vehicle. Tapping the car icon in the upper left corner displays all active sensors and vehicles associated with your account.

FIXD Car Health Sensor 4

Installation and Performance

The Fixd sensor worked well in testing, but I ran into connectivity issues while running scans one afternoon. Things were working just fine when I suddenly started getting a Network Error message. I tried restarting the app, unplugging the sensor, and even deleted and reinstalled my truck's VIN, but to no avail. A company spokesperson informed me that they may have been performing server maintenance at that time, which would account for the disconnect. Fortunately, I was able to connect the following day and thereafter, but the sensor was useless on that particular Saturday afternoon, which for me (and most DIYers) is prime time for resolving car issues.

I tested the sensor's diagnostic prowess by forcing a few engine issues. I disconnected a spark plug wire and ran a scan that came up red with a cylinder misfire diagnosis. I also unplugged an air intake sensor and the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) solenoid, and the scanner correctly diagnosed both issues. It successfully cleared the Check Engine light each time.


The Fixd sensor won't actually fix your car for you, but it does a great job of diagnosing issues quickly and accurately. It's affordable, a snap to install, and easy to use, and with one exception, it worked as advertised in our tests. Its Timeline maintenance reminders and Wear Item checklist will help you keep your car or truck safe and in tip-top shape, but more importantly, you'll have a good idea of what to expect before you bring your vehicle into the shop or try to fix things yourself.

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