The 7 Best Car Maintenance Apps

--Updated January 2026—

Article overview

• Simplify car maintenance: Explore top-rated apps like CarFAX Car Care, Simply Auto and FIXD to track service schedules, fuel economy and diagnostics.
• EV-friendly options: Apps like Simply Auto and Carly offer specialized features for electric vehicles, including battery health tracking and charging cost analysis.
• Save money & avoid breakdowns: Preventive maintenance reminders help you avoid costly repairs and keep your car running smoothly.
• Boost resale value: Use these apps to maintain a detailed service history, increasing your car's resale appeal.

Today, many modern cars have computer systems that monitor maintenance schedules and send service reminders. But if your car is without this system or you prefer a more comprehensive and flexible view of maintenance that can be managed from the palm of your hand, you may want to consider a car maintenance app.

Here, we’ll provide an overview of some popular free car maintenance apps that people use every day to lessen the burden of routine maintenance and avoid potential mechanical neglect. 

While car maintenance apps help you stay on top of service schedules, pairing them with trusted real-world resources ensures even more peace of mind. AAA Members can take advantage of AAA-owned Car Care Centers or AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities, rely on Roadside Assistance when emergencies arise and use helpful Gas Price Tools to plan smarter trips. By combining digital tools with AAA’s proven services, you can keep your vehicle running smoothly—both on the app and on the road.

1.       CarFAX Car Care: Best for service history and recalls.

The CarFAX Car Care app gets some of the highest ratings in the industry for its car maintenance-reminder capabilities. Available for both iOS and Android, this app can track and provide service reminders for up to eight vehicles, provides cost estimates for repairs, catalogs past service history and even issues important safety recalls. The most unique feature of the CarFAX Car Care app compared to others is its ability to integrate with your actual CarFAX vehicle history report.

Apple App Store users rate this app at 4.8, and Google Play Store shows 4.7 stars.

2.       Simply Auto: Best for fuel economy and mileage tracking.

The only app that allows users to track fuel economy based on octane, Simply Auto is winning drivers over for this feature and more. Available for free and as a premium version, the app offers everything you’d require from a vehicle maintenance tracker and helps you easily record all tax-deductible or reimbursable mileage with its GPS-tracking capabilities. Drive an EV? The Simply Auto app has EVs covered with kilowatt-hour (kWh) tracking, too. In-app purchases are also available on Simply Auto for advanced features.

Apple App Store and Google Play Store give the app positive ratings of 4.1-4.4 stars.

3.       Fuelly: Best for monitoring fuel costs and real-world MPG.

This app is a popular option for those who want to set up reminders for service and track other basic vehicle information. As the name implies, Fuelly excels at tracking your car's fuel costs and consumption, indirectly supporting sustainability. And the unique advantage of this app over others is its ability to calculate actual MPG, allowing comparisons with community averages for specific vehicles and revealing real-world performance vs. EPA estimates. A premium version and in-app purchases are available for those who want home-screen widgets for fuel efficiency or the option to attach photos and PDF files to records. 

Available only for iPhone, this free app has a 4.5-star rating.  

4.       FIXD: Best for check engine light diagnostics.

If you’re a curious but non-technical type who wants to know more than just your next service due date, FIXD may be the best auto maintenance app for you. Available for free and as a premium version on iOS and Android, FIXD explains what needs to be done to your car in plain, simple terms. Top features include car health monitoring, explanations of fault codes, estimates for repair, maintenance reminders and service records.

And like many other highly recommended apps, FIXD can monitor recommended services and maintenance for multiple vehicles at once. What sets FIXD apart is its plug-and-play setup and direct integration with smart hardware via a dedicated Bluetooth OBD2 sensor for real-time diagnostics. FIXD reflects a good user experience. In-app purchases are available for those who want to unlock advanced predictive features.

Rated 4.6 on Apple and 4.2-4.3 on Google Play

5.       Drivvo: Best for multi-vehicle maintenance tracking and expenses.

Drivvo has been downloaded more than 1.5 million times and distinguishes itself with a clean, simple interface. There is a premium version of the app available that allows you to sync your vehicle data to the cloud for a minimal annual fee, but the free version works reliably for multiple-vehicle maintenance tracking, fuel analysis and service-records storage. Drivvo offers in-app purchases and, unlike many competitors, provides custom integration available for the Home Assistant smart home platform.

Currently holding one of the highest car maintenance app ratings (4.6-stars)

6.       Carly: Best for advanced diagnostics and coding.

A mobile tool for car diagnostics, maintenance and customization, the Carly , app offers live engine data, provides repair guides and maintenance resets (like oil changes), checks used car history (accidents, mileage fraud) and allows for hidden feature coding. Carly offers high integration with your car’s smart devices, but there’s some disparity in Google Play Store ratings (around 3.5), as users highlight a more aggressive subscription plan than other apps and some recurring charges. While Carly offers a free car history check, a paid annual subscription is required for advanced features.

The app earns high marks on Apple App Store of 4.7 for reading and clearing fault codes but on Google Play Store the ratings are around 3.5

7.       AUTOsist: Best for organized maintenance records and fleet-style management.

Praised for its ease of use and strong customer support, the AUTOsist app offers a full suite of essential maintenance management features within a single platform. Schedule preventive maintenance, track repairs, perform digital inspections, track fuel use and store important receipts and documentation. While primarily used by businesses with multiple vehicles or fleets, AUTOsist is flexible enough for individuals to manage their personal vehicles.  AUTOsist offers a free version for personal use and offers a premium, paid version for businesses and fleets.

It receives ratings of 4.2 to 4.7 stars across regions.

Best car maintenance apps for EVs and hybrids

If you drive an electric vehicle, a maintenance app can be particularly useful. Many apps are designed to help you monitor your EV’s battery health, track charging sessions and analyze energy costs. These features give you the insights needed to maximize your vehicle's range and keep the battery in optimal condition for years to come.

• Battery health tracking: Apps like Carly help monitor your EV’s battery condition, offering insights to extend its lifespan.

• Charging costs vs. fuel: Simply Auto tracks charging sessions, kWh used and costs, making it easy to compare savings with gas vehicles.

• Reduced maintenance schedules: While EVs need less upkeep, essentials like tire rotations and brake checks still matter. Drivvo lets you customize reminders for EV-specific maintenance and skip unnecessary alerts.

Choosing a specialized app ensures you focus on what matters most for your EV or hybrid: saving money, protecting your battery and keeping your ride running smoothly.

Why use a car maintenance app?

We’ve reviewed some of the best free car maintenance apps, but what are the core benefits of using one? Beyond tracking your next oil change, these handy applications offer a surprising number of advantages that can save you money and keep you safer on the road.

• Save money with preventive maintenance: Following your car’s recommended service schedule is the best way to keep it running smoothly. Car maintenance apps make this easy by sending you reminders for everything from tire rotations to fluid checks. Addressing small issues before they become major problems helps you avoid expensive, unexpected repair bills down the line. Preventive care is always more affordable than a major repair.

• Avoid breakdowns and emergencies: A well-maintained vehicle is a reliable one. By helping you stay on top of your car's health, these apps reduce the likelihood of a sudden breakdown or roadside emergency. For added peace of mind, it’s also wise to have the AAA Mobile app on your phone. If you ever do need assistance, you can request roadside service directly from the app, 24/7.

• Improve your car’s resale value: Thinking of selling or trading in your vehicle one day? A complete and organized service history can significantly boost your vehicle’s resale value. Vehicle maintenance apps act as a digital logbook, recording every service and repair. This detailed record proves to potential buyers that the car has been well cared for, making it a more attractive purchase.

The AAA Mobile App: A trusted name in car care

Choosing the best vehicle maintenance app may feel like a strategic decision, but almost any of these apps you select will help you stay on top of basic car care needs and recommended services. Paired with the AAA Mobile App, which helps you find AAA-owned Car Care Centers and AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities for maintenance, locate gas stations, book travel and manage roadside assistance, vehicle maintenance apps give you comprehensive access to the information and tools you need for many miles of safe and hassle-free driving.