Five Automotive Apps You Need

Whether you’re a town-cruising parent, a weekend warrior or a long-distance traveler, having a mobile companion helps. Aside from remote start options, a backup camera, and onboard music, a smartphone is your best driving tool and entertainment gadget. That said, a smartphone is little more than an electrical rectangle without useful applications. Check out these five driving apps, and outfit your smartphone for your next journey.

1.      DriveSafe.ly
DriveSafe.ly reads your phone’s texts, Facebook messages, and Twitter updates. More importantly, it reduces your need to grab the phone. It’s a high-quality safety option, and it’s definitely worth a spot in your day-to-day commutes. No buttons need to be pressed.

2.      Openbay
The free app, Openbay, lists nearby vehicle maintenance service options. It covers local automotive professionals, lists the prices and gives ratings. Why settle for Google Maps? Get quotes immediately, and compare prices. Openbay covers repair costs, repair time frames and lets you authorize your card, too.

3.      RepairPal
On the personal maintenance side of things, RepairPal covers your vehicle’s day-to-day maintenance needs, mileage and average depreciation. The award-winning app is free, covering your vehicle’s repair history, likely maintenance estimates, and relevant service provider recommendations. Browse local stores, synchronize your repair-related data and create online records.

4.      Find My Car
Doesn’t it sound useful? Find My Car uses location-based services, Internet connectivity, and a custom profile to locate your vehicle’s parking location. It offers augmented reality technology, too, so as to lay out relevant landmarks around your car. The Find My Car Smarter system saves your vehicle’s location, ensuring a timely return to your car’s last destination.

5.      GasBuddy
GasBuddy is free, and it’s worthwhile for tech-savvy comparison shoppers. It marks nearby gas stations, lists their prices, compares credit card discount options and recommends services based upon custom preferences. Covering over 110,000 fuel stations, GasBuddy is your one-stop shop for in-depth gas needs.

While these apps aren’t entertainment-based, we feel they deserve representation. Between your car’s subwoofers, sound systems, and laptop accessibility, it pays off to be travel-focused. These apps will make your trip smarter, safer and cheaper. Don’t text while you drive, and download these apps before you’re on the road. If you’re on a road trip, install them before setting off. Over time, you’ll start saving money. Your trips will be a bit easier to complete, too.