The quest to understand our vehicles better has taken a giant leap from greasy manuals to sleek smartphone apps. Enter the Automatic Labs Obd2 Diagnostic Tool, a device that promises to transform your driving experience by turning your car into a data-rich, smart machine. Inspired by the simplicity of fitness trackers, Automatic aims to monitor your car’s performance just as easily as you track your daily steps. But does this “smart driving assistant” live up to the hype, and more importantly, is it worth your money? Let’s dive deep into what the Automatic Labs OBD2 tool offers for the everyday driver.
Decoding Your Drive: What Does the Automatic OBD2 Tool Actually Do?
Imagine having a personal driving coach and a vehicle health monitor right in your pocket. That’s essentially what the Automatic Labs OBD2 diagnostic tool strives to be. This compact sensor plugs directly into your car’s OBD-II port – a standard feature in most vehicles manufactured since the mid-1990s. Once connected, it silently gathers a wealth of data as you drive.
The core function of the Automatic OBD2 tool revolves around tracking key driving metrics. It meticulously monitors your fuel economy, capturing every acceleration, deceleration, and speed fluctuation. This data isn’t just raw numbers; it’s compiled into actionable insights. At the end of each week, the companion smartphone app synthesizes all this information to generate a driving score, giving you a clear picture of your driving habits. Furthermore, after each trip, the app provides a detailed breakdown of your fuel efficiency, comparing it against EPA estimates for your specific vehicle model. By leveraging real-time fuel prices downloaded via your smartphone’s data connection, it even calculates the exact cost of each journey.
Beyond fuel efficiency, the Automatic Labs OBD2 tool is also a sophisticated GPS logger. Utilizing your phone’s A-GPS sensor, it tracks and records your routes. You can review past trips on a map, offering valuable insights into your driving patterns and helping with future trip planning. A particularly convenient feature is the automatic GPS tagging of your parked car’s location. No more wandering around parking lots – the app guides you right back to your vehicle.
More Than Just Fuel Economy: Diagnostic and Safety Features
The Automatic Labs OBD2 diagnostic tool goes beyond mere fuel monitoring. It also taps into your car’s diagnostic system. If your car’s check engine light illuminates, the Automatic app instantly becomes your diagnostic assistant. It downloads the trouble code, performs an automatic online database search, and provides a clear explanation of the issue. This feature empowers you to understand the problem and determine if it’s a minor issue, like a loose gas cap, or something requiring professional attention. In cases of minor issues, the app even allows you to clear the code and turn off the check engine light yourself.
Perhaps one of the most compelling features, albeit one that was still in development during initial reviews, is crash detection. Using its built-in accelerometer, the Automatic OBD2 tool can detect significant impacts indicative of a car crash. In such events, the app is designed to automatically contact emergency 911 services, providing them with your name, location, and vehicle details. Importantly, it also includes a cancellation feature for false alarms, such as those triggered by severe potholes.
Automatic Labs OBD2 Tool: Simplicity in a Plug-and-Play Design
What truly sets the Automatic Labs OBD2 diagnostic tool apart from many other OBD-II readers is its remarkable ease of use. Many traditional diagnostic devices require a degree of technical knowledge and manual configuration to function correctly. Even seasoned car enthusiasts can find themselves wrestling with complex settings to get accurate fuel economy readings or other data. Automatic aims to eliminate this complexity.
The setup process is designed to be as intuitive as possible. Similar to pairing a fitness tracker, the Automatic Smart Driving Assistant connects to your Apple iPhone (initially compatible with iPhone 4S and 5 via Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy). The pairing process is streamlined through a user-friendly in-app tutorial. You simply install the Automatic app, enter a unique PIN found on the device, plug the Automatic unit into your car’s OBD-II port with the ignition off, and the app handles the Bluetooth pairing. Finally, turning the ignition to the “on” position allows the app to automatically identify your car’s make, model, year, and engine details by cross-referencing with Automatic’s online database. This automated identification is crucial for ensuring accurate fuel economy calculations and eliminates the need for manual vehicle data input.
Driving Data Without Distraction
Another key differentiator of the Automatic Labs OBD2 diagnostic tool is its non-intrusive operation. Unlike some real-time OBD-II monitors that can bombard drivers with constant data streams, Automatic works quietly in the background. Once paired with your phone, it automatically starts logging trips, driving habits, and fuel consumption without requiring any active interaction. You can keep your phone in your pocket and use it for navigation or calls without disrupting the data logging process. The app itself intentionally avoids displaying real-time driving data, minimizing driver distraction. When the app is open while driving, it simply shows a “driving in progress” message, encouraging focus on the road. Trip data is available for review later, when you are not driving.
For drivers who prefer some in-trip feedback, the Automatic OBD2 tool offers configurable audible alerts. You can set chimes to sound when exceeding preset speed limits or experiencing sudden acceleration or deceleration. These alerts, generated by a speaker in the Automatic dongle, provide subtle coaching without being visually distracting. Even if audible alerts are disabled, these events are still logged for later review within the app.
Is the Automatic Labs OBD2 Tool Right for You?
The Automatic Labs OBD2 diagnostic tool offers a compelling blend of features in an exceptionally user-friendly package. However, at a price point that’s higher than many basic OBD-II readers, it’s important to consider if it meets your specific needs.
Pros:
- Extremely easy to set up and use: True plug-and-play functionality, ideal for non-technical users.
- Comprehensive data logging: Tracks fuel efficiency, trip costs, driving habits, and GPS routes.
- Diagnostic capabilities: Reads and clears check engine light codes, providing valuable insights.
- Automatic parking location tagging: A convenient feature for urban drivers.
- Crash detection and emergency contact (future feature): Adds a layer of safety and peace of mind.
- Non-distracting operation: Works in the background, minimizing driver distraction.
Cons:
- Higher price point: More expensive than basic OBD-II readers.
- Lack of real-time data display: May not satisfy users who want live engine data.
- Limited initial Android compatibility (at launch): Initially focused on iOS devices.
The Verdict: Convenience and Insight for the Everyday Driver
The Automatic Labs OBD2 diagnostic tool isn’t designed for hardcore car enthusiasts who crave granular engine data and real-time readouts. Instead, it’s tailored for the average driver who wants to understand their car better, improve fuel efficiency, and gain peace of mind without wrestling with complex technology. You’re paying a premium for the convenience and seamless integration that Automatic provides. If you value simplicity, ease of use, and a wealth of driving insights delivered through an intuitive app, the Automatic Labs OBD2 diagnostic tool is a worthwhile investment. It’s a smart driving assistant that truly automates vehicle monitoring, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their car tech expertise.
