The mysteries of what happens beneath the hood has always been something of a male preserve in motoring, but now women drivers can get an insight into what happens in the dark caverns of a car engine by using apps. Many smartphones now have Google Maps pre-installed to help with navigation, as well as finding garages, supermarkets or car parks.
But both Google Play and iTunes offer a whole host of apps which will help drivers recognise when there is something crucially wrong with their car – or let loved ones or family know when you need help.
bSafe – Free
Available for Android, iPhone and BlackBerry phones and tablets, bSafe enables you to pre-enter emergency numbers for a range of friends and relatives – and when you need a hand or are in any sort of trouble, a simple push button function will send alerts out to the pre-chosen numbers. The app uses GPS so you can be tracked via your smartphone – and bSafe also offers a pre-set deadline for phoning or arriving, after which an alert will be triggered if you have not contacted your friends or relatives by a certain time. Brilliant for women drivers who may use remote roads or are field workers, bSafe requires GPS and data connection. Visit www.bsafeapp.com for more information.
Car Locator – $3.99
Car Locator is an Android app which does what it says – it helps you find your car when you can't. Car Locator won first prize in the Verizon Power Your App Contest and features a nice clear screen with useful options such as Notes and Photos for Location, Send Location, Driving Direction (in case you are in a taxi), Save Location, Parking Time Notification – in fact if your car can possibly be found, Car Locator will find it. Check it out over at Google Play.
Driving Logger – Free
Driving Logger records details of your journey - such as speed, time, location and any events along the way - which can make reporting an accident on the road and recording your version of events much easier. Road accident apps like Driving Logger can make insurance claims more straightforward, as the details are recorded accurately. The app also videos the route ahead creating 90-sec files on a loop – so if someone pulls out in front of you, it’s all there on screen. You can lock the files for safekeeping to make sure you have the evidence. More details about Driving Logger on Google Play.
Car Minder Plus – $2.99
If only there were a simple app to check all the maintenance essentials like fuel levels, tire pressure, water and repairs – Car Minder Plus is like having a car mechanic at your fingertips. Car data needs to be inputted and then you can set up five different car servicing features and add pre-set scheduled alerts for each service requirement. You can check how close you are to an oil change using the traffic light indicators next to each pre-set service icon. Any repairs can be logged with cost and details – and fuel consumption can also be checked using the virtual dashboard. See more about Car Minder Plus by following this link to iTunes.
I'm On My Way – $1.99
I'm On My Way enables drivers to let others know of their ETA (estimated time of arrival). Users can pre-set the app as they start out and regular alerts will be sent automatically to the destination phone so family members, colleagues, friends and others know you're safe and on your way. For more details, check out the app here.
About the Author
Lee Pearce is a content writer for Simpson Millar and The Brain Injury Experts. He has particular interests in cars, music, internet, computers and fitness.
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