X

Top 5 free iPhone automotive apps

Although its main focus is on communications and media playback, the iPhone offers a surprising amount of utility for cars. Developers have written numerous apps to help out drivers. Here are our favorite five free apps.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
Trapster.jpg
1 of 5

1. Trapster

Pros: Uses iPhone GPS to determine proximity to speed traps, speed cameras, and red light cameras; audible warnings even when iPhone locks itself; users can easily report speed traps.

Cons:Red light and speed trap warnings can sound off too frequently.

The gist: Short of using a radar detector, Trapster identifies hazards to your driving record through an active community. This type of information used to travel by word-of-mouth, but Trapster makes it readily accessible.

CheapGas.jpg
2 of 5

2. Cheap Gas

Pros: Lists fuel prices at specific gas stations around your current location; tapping each entry displays prices for regular, unleaded, premium unleaded, and diesel.

Cons: Button to map each gas station doesn't work properly; fuel prices may not be up-to-date.

The gist: Being able to find the cheapest gas within your proximity at a glance will save you quite a bit of money over time. Cheap Gas is especially useful in unfamiliar areas.

TakeMeToMyCar.jpg
3 of 5

3. Take Me To My Car

Pros: One-button interface for marking car location; interfaces with Google map app for directions, can be used to mark locations other than parked cars.

Cons: Can only mark one location at a time.

The gist: There are many apps for finding parked cars, but Take Me To My Car is free. And how many features do you really want in a simple car finder?

RepairPal.jpg
4 of 5

4. RepairPal

Pros: Includes useful tips with repair estimates; local repair shop search specific to car makes; one-touch access to roadside assistance.

Cons: Model years before 1990 not represented.

The gist: RepairPal is useful when you've got a breakdown, giving good advance knowledge of what to expect from the repair bill.

PocketDyno.jpg
5 of 5

5. PocketDyno

Pros: Two modes to start a timed run; shows 10 mph increments leading up to 0 to 60 mph time; calculates horsepower.

Cons: Free version filled with nag screens; need a stable mounting bracket for accurate statistics.

The gist: PocketDyno is the cheapest performance computer you can get, as long as you already have an iPhone or iPod Touch.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos