As a lead developer at FIXD, I wanted to address user reviews and offer an insider’s perspective on the complexities of OBD2 diagnostics and how Fixd Obd2 approaches these challenges. Many users are familiar with basic, inexpensive OBD2 scanners, but the reality of modern vehicle diagnostics is far more intricate.
The Hidden Complexity of OBD2 and CAN Bus Systems
The world of OBD2 (On-Board Diagnostics II) and CAN (Controller Area Network) bus systems is significantly more complex than it appears on the surface. Simple, budget-friendly scanners, often priced around $15, typically offer a very basic level of functionality. These devices and their accompanying apps usually rely on limited, on-device code databases, often compiled from publicly available wikis. They generally support only single protocols and modules within a vehicle.
Furthermore, these basic scanners often lack sophisticated error filtering or advanced frame parsing capabilities, which are crucial for accurately retrieving data from vehicles with communication issues. They operate using static, generic scripts that are applied universally across a limited range of diagnostic addresses.
The diagnostic landscape becomes exponentially more challenging when you move beyond basic engine diagnostics and start to consider other vehicle modules such as airbags, TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System), seatbelts, and transmissions. These modules often communicate using different protocols, necessitating mid-stream protocol switching and negotiation by the diagnostic tool. Specific baud rates and communication parameters are also unique to each vehicle make, model, and year.
Once you progress beyond rudimentary Mode 3/7/9 hex-to-code parsing – the translation of hexadecimal data into readable diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) – the intricacies multiply rapidly. It quickly becomes impractical to store the vast and varied diagnostic logic required for every vehicle directly within a mobile app.
Adding another layer of complexity, some diagnostic commands and instruction sequences are proprietary and licensed by vehicle manufacturers, with access often requiring substantial financial investment.
FIXD OBD2’s Innovative Approach: Cloud-Based Diagnostics
Instead of attempting to house a multi-gigabyte database directly on your smartphone, FIXD OBD2 employs a smarter, more adaptable approach. Our system begins by scanning your vehicle to assess its specific communication capabilities. Based on this initial scan, the FIXD app then downloads the most current, customized command list tailored precisely to your vehicle.
We have dedicated teams of skilled engineering interns who focus on specific vehicle modules, for instance, airbag systems in 2008-2012 Toyota models. These teams develop and deploy test scripts, gather diagnostic data, create custom parsers to interpret the data, and continuously release software updates. Because these diagnostic scripts are refreshed and downloaded each time you log in, your FIXD app effectively receives new diagnostic capabilities every launch, even without requiring a traditional app update.
This dynamic, cloud-based approach, however, necessitates API (Application Programming Interface) calls, which in turn require network access and authentication tokens to ensure secure communication with our servers and deliver the correct, vehicle-specific diagnostic information. While we do cache these scripts locally to improve performance and reduce data usage, an initial network connection is essential to acquire them.
Addressing User Concerns: Login Requirements and Offline Functionality
We understand the frustration some users experience with the login requirement. Born as a small, four-person startup, our initial infrastructure was built around user accounts. We are currently undertaking a significant infrastructure overhaul to streamline the signup process, including the implementation of auto-account generation to minimize friction for new users. This is a complex undertaking that will require time to fully implement.
In the interim, we are actively developing an “offline mode.” In this mode, if you have successfully logged into the FIXD app previously and cached the necessary diagnostic information, you will be able to access the app even without an active internet connection. This mode will likely include an “OFFLINE MODE” banner to indicate potentially reduced functionality compared to online operation.
It’s important to note that network access is primarily required for initial authentication, login, and downloading the latest diagnostic scripts upon app launch. Once you are logged in and the necessary data is cached, features like Live Data gauges do not require a continuous network connection during vehicle operation.
However, due to the reasons outlined above regarding the dynamic nature of our diagnostic scripts and the need for vehicle-specific data, performing full vehicle scans and reading diagnostic trouble codes will likely always require an internet connection for FIXD OBD2 to function optimally and accurately.
To mitigate potential data loss in areas with unreliable network connectivity, we have implemented a network error prompt that automatically saves your scan data. If you initiate a scan, lose internet connectivity mid-scan, and then regain connection, a popup will appear allowing you to retry submitting the cached raw data for parsing and to resume the scan process seamlessly.
FIXD Premium: Providing Enhanced Diagnostic Value
FIXD Premium is offered as an optional subscription service to provide advanced features that incur ongoing operational costs for us. For instance, our confirmed fixes feature is powered by a third-party company that compensates mechanics for their diagnostic and repair data. We pay this third-party provider per API call to access this valuable information. Offering this feature, along with others like issue forecasting (which involves sophisticated issue aggregation, machine learning analysis, and complex backend processes), would be financially unsustainable without a subscription model.
We are committed to improving our messaging and ensuring clarity regarding the features included in the free version of FIXD OBD2 versus those offered within FIXD Premium.
Thank you for your valuable feedback. We are excited about the future of FIXD OBD2 and are working diligently to bring exciting new features – both free and premium – to our users throughout this year.
EDIT: Offline mode is now live in version 7.1.1! To enable “Offline Mode,” you need to log in successfully at least once with an internet connection. You can now also view basic diagnostic codes from a scan even in offline mode via the network error popup. This is an initial implementation of offline capabilities, and we are committed to continuously improving this feature over time based on user feedback and technological advancements.
