10 Diagnostic Apps and Devices to Make You a Better Driver

Since 1996, cars sold in the U.S. have been required to provide a connection for mechanics and inspectors to measure what's going on electronically under the hood. The system, called On-Board Diagnostics generation two (OBD-II), uses a 16-pin connector mounted somewhere near the instrument panel to gather information. If it detects faults, it transmits them in four-digit codes in four categories: P for powertrain, U for computer, C for chassis, and B for body.

That's great if you want to know why your Check Engine light is on. But how does this translate into having a little fun behind the wheel? Over the past half decade, there's been an explosion of aftermarket gadgets that allow the OBD-II connection to transmit useful stats, such as instant fuel economy, engine speed, temperature, and vehicle speed. Couple this valuable info with the accelerometers and GPS locating ability of common smartphones, and you can get a sophisticated view of your car's performance, efficency, and even your own driving prowess. Here are 10 of our favorite apps and devices for performance driving.

Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/products/10-diagnostic-apps-and-devices-to-make-you-a-better-driver?src=rss

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