C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
This article was updated and checked for accuracy in April 2024. It was originally published in 2017.
Transportation is a key need today. People who own vehicles – drivers, mechanics and drivers – need to know the condition of their car, check that the fuel tank is full and learn many other things about maintenance. However, with busy lives and demanding schedules, sometimes these details are neglected, so people often find themselves in difficult situations. But don’t worry; we have you Check out some of the best car apps for drivers and owners.
Best Car Apps for Android
Android Auto is simply one of the best apps for cars. It gives drivers quick access to Google Maps, messaging apps, music apps and other utilities. It works in two ways. The app can be opened on your device and run from the dashboard tray. Most modern cars have it built in, and you connect your device to the car to put it on its touchscreen. Either way, it’s completely free and usually better than what the automakers offer. The only downside is that Android Auto is not available on older vehicles. You can also check out the best music players for Android Auto here.
CARFAX car care app
Price: Free
Umme Aimon Shabbir / Android Authority
CARFAX Car Care App is a car management application. This means you can keep an eye on a bunch of stuff. You can see all your maintenance and repairs from the app. In addition, the application alerts you when it is time for additional maintenance or even to renew your registration. There is a mechanic search. It is one of the best car apps to organize everything.
Drivvo and Fuelio
Price for Drivvo: Free Purchases/In-App Purchases ($2.00 – $400.00 per item)
Price for Fuelio: Free/In-App Purchases ($1.69 – $9.99 per item)
Drivvo is one of the most powerful apps for cars. You can track almost anything. This includes repairs, maintenance, expenses, mileage, fuel mileage and more. It’s perfect for those who drive for a living. With this app you can track your expenses for tax season. It also has maintenance records with reminders when additional maintenance is needed. Fuelio is a very similar app and arguably Drivv’s biggest rival in this space. They both do more or less the same thing in different ways. You can take whichever one you feel is best for your needs.
Joe Hindy / Android Authority
GasBuddy is a money-saving app for drivers. Aggregates fuel prices in your area. Then you can choose the gas station with the cheapest gas. It works best when traveling. But it’s just as good if you’re cruising through your hometown. You can also contribute by changing prices as soon as you become aware of them. Those who help can win $100 in free gas. Crowdsourcing helps keep fuel prices as up-to-date as possible, and is part of a fun little community. The app is known for borrowing user location data. You may want to skip this if it bothers you, or if you’re using a newer version of Android, set the location permission to only be active while using the app.
SpotAngels
Price: Free/In-App Purchases ($2.99 - $49.99 per item)
SpotAngels is a bit of a wild card. It is one of the newer car apps. However, it has a ton of potential. Its primary function is to help you avoid parking fines. There are currently 20 supported cities where this works. It can also track where you park. That way you won’t get lost trying to find your car. This feature is available to everyone, whether in a supported city or not. People can also submit information and pictures of safe parking spots anywhere. In time, this could be a great app for avoiding parking fines.
Torque Pro is a troubleshooting app. Pairs with various OBD-2 devices via Bluetooth. It can then read the codes and let you know what your check engine light is. It is one of the better car apps for mechanics and those who can work on their car. It can also track various statistics about your car. This includes GPS speedometer, alarms, warnings, CO2 emissions, etc. There is a free version that you can try first.
YouTube is a fantastic resource for car enthusiasts. There’s a bunch of mechanics, fans and other car people there. They make tons of videos on oil changes, brake repairs, and even cosmetic stuff like the correct method of waxing your car. You can also find videos of fun cars, new cars, vintage cars and highlights from various races. Of course, most people already know that. This is not a fascinating choice. It is still among the best car apps though.
Gas station reward applications
Price: Free
Most major gas station chains have rewards programs. You use your card when you buy gas and other items. Rewards points accumulate, and you use them to get gift cards, free stuff, and gas discounts. Several grocery stores and gas station chains offer similar rewards. It may take some time for them to be effective. However, over time it is possible to get things like free gas and other things. These are the car apps worth having. Everyone should have at least one of these apps. Some popular brands include Giant Eagle, Speedway, Kroger and Circle K.
Mobile applications for car parts
Price: Free
There are tons of stores that sell auto parts. AutoZone, Advanced Auto Parts and NAPA are just a few. Most major auto parts chains have dedicated apps. You can use them to order parts, buy things, and check inventory. Additionally, online stores such as eBay and Amazon (to a lesser extent) can be excellent sources of aftermarket and hard-to-find parts. We will not recommend any shop because they all have good results. However, these are the car apps that many should have.
Automotive applications from car manufacturers
Price: Free
Many manufacturers now have apps for cars. They also provide a number of functions. Some features include remote car start, door unlocking or locking, OnStar access, diagnostics and some extra stuff. It would help if you usually had the right trim levels and newer cars for these to work, but they can be quite handy. The range of features is quite extensive, but varies dramatically from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Most of them are good enough, but all could use stability improvements. However, you own the car; you might as well look. Some manufacturers that rely heavily on their mobile app experience include Ford (linked), Hyundai, KIA, and Chevy, but most have official apps that do at least something. Some of these services have an annual subscription fee, so be sure to check with your dealer for details.
If we’ve missed any great car apps for Android, tell us about them in the comments.