Best Apps for Vehicle Operation and Maintenance
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For your company, vehicle and driving expenses are standard operating procedure. Fortunately, the power of mobile technology can keep you and your workers on the road. The 16 apps listed below represent a selection of the best reviewed tools for iOS and Android devices to gauge fuel expenditures and keep track of maintenance schedules and related driving related expenses.
Fueling Up
Whether you purchase, rent or lease your company’s vehicles – or reimburse your workers for using their own vehicles, fuel expenditures represent a major expense, even when you factor in historically low gas prices. The apps listed below can keep your company’s vehicles moving while reining in fuel costs.
- Gas Buddy: This app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. It directs you to the nearest gas station – and the station with the best prices based on information provided by users. Both versions are free.
- FuelLog: This Android app provides detailed information on your vehicle’s mileage, fuel consumption, and helps you keep track of maintenance. Basic version is free. A paid version with more features is also available.
- PlugShare: This free app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and scopes out charging stations for plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles. Results can be further categorized to inform you of free stations, quick charge stations and Tesla superchargers.
Reducing Repair Costs
These two apps can find repair shops while your company’s cars are on the road, and help insure help ensure that you’re getting a fair price for repairs.
- RepairPal: This app is compatible with iOS and Android mobile devices and helps you determine what fair repair costs should be based on the type of vehicle and your location. Both versions are free.
- Breakdown Lane: an iOS app featuring a database of mechanics and garages curated by CarTalk fans. The app also features tips on basic roadside challenges as fixing a flat tire. You can call the mechanic or shop you choose right from the app. Even at $1.99, it’s not a bad deal.
Navigation and Beating Traffic
If you’ve ever suffered through so-called rush hour traffic, you know that it represents a tremendous misnomer. Cars inching along at an excruciatingly slow pace produce frayed nerves, not to mention wasted fuel and time. While there’s no way to absolutely eliminate traffic jams, your mobile device can help you dodge the slowest-moving snarls.
- Google Maps: The app is compatible with iOS and Android devices, and the mobile site is compatible with all devices. It’s simply an essential tool for navigation. Best of all, it’s free for all devices.
- Waze: This iOS and Android app uses real-time user input to help drivers avoid traffic jams. As a result, each user both benefits and helps other benefit. Both versions of Waze are free.
Monitoring Maintenance Schedules
Maintaining your company’s vehicles is essential – you understand that. But unless your company has a dedicated garage and mechanics, it’s all too easy to let essential maintenance slide. These apps can make it easier to monitor the maintenance needed to keep your company’s vehicles in top shape.
- aCar: This Android app lets users keep track of basic maintenance, gauge fuel economy and maintain separate records for personal and business miles. Best of all, it’s free.
- Gas Cubby: This iOS app helps users track gas mileage and maintenance schedules. It costs $1.99.
- CarMinder: Another iOS app helps you monitor maintenance schedules for one vehicle or an entire fleet. The basic version is 99 cents. CarMinder Plus, with more features, is available for $2.99.
- CARbonga: this iOS app works with your car’s computer to diagnose “check engine” and other warnings – and may save you an expensive repair. It’s one of the more expensive apps – with a cost of $4.99.
- Torque: An Android app that works with your car’s computer to help you diagnose problems. It’s also pricey, costing $4.95.
- Dynolicious Classic: This iOS app is pricey at $8.99, but compares favorably with instrumentation equipment costing thousands. It uses iOS accelerometers to gauge horsepower and other performance data. The Fusion version of the app costs $12.99 and allows sharing results online.
Scoping Out Parking Spaces
Circling the block over and over to find parking spaces is a waste of gas and time. These apps can help you find available parking without the hassle.
- Parker: Compatible with iOS and Android devices, Parker lets you scope out free street parking, paid parking lots and garages. In some locations, you can reserve your spot before you arrive. Both versions are free.
- Parking Panda: This app is compatible with iOS and Android devices and for download at the Windows store. It clues you in to available parking in 40+ cities across the country. You can find free and paid parking, along with airport parking. All versions of the app are free – but of course you’ll still need to pay for parking.
- SpotHero: This top rated app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices and allows you to reserve parking in advance. In many cases you can get a discount on parking lot and garage rates. Both versions are free.
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Posted In: Technology, Vehicles & Fleets
