I want to build a car maintenance app — which APIs should I use?

HIGH MOBILITY
Sep 5, 2018 · 5 min read

Welcome to our fourth post in the AUTO API series. Today we’re delving into the car maintenance service industry as well as providing key information on the APIs you might need if you want to get started building your own car maintenance app or service.

With many car troubles easily avoided through regular service and maintenance, increased numbers of car users are turning to easy-to-manage car cleaning and repair applications to arrange the work needed on their cars to keep them in good condition and road-safe. From notifications to remind drivers of when to change the oil, to fuel consumption tracking, there are countless tasks which car maintenance businesses can simplify for the user.

(Want to build a different kind of connected car app? Then check out our other posts on fleet management, ride sharing and insurance apps for connected cars.)

Today we’ll be looking at the following APIs: Unlocking, Fluid levels and Tire Pressure — all containing useful functions for a car maintenance service.

As with our previous posts, let’s first dive a little deeper into the car maintenance service industry as it looks right now and some of the key players leading the way with their innovative and user-centered apps and services.

Car maintenance applications

Of all the types of connected car applications we’ve covered so far in this series, the car maintenance app market is probably the longest-running and most saturated of them all. According to a report by the Global Industry Analysts, the automotive aftermarket industry is expected to reach $722.8 billion by 2020 and exceed $1 trillion by 2022. Reasons for this include car owners keeping their vehicles for considerably longer than in the past and an increased awareness of the importance preventative measures such as regular maintenance and scheduled servicing have in helping to increase the overall lifetime value of their cars. This consumer demand not only for services but also for parts is therefore sparking growth and revenue opportunities for app developers, startups and businesses operating in the automotive aftermarket.

With the average car on the road in the US 11.5 years old consumers are equally as interested in maintaining their current vehicles as they are in buying the latest models. In fact, the average length of vehicle ownership for new and used vehicles has increased 60% in the last ten years which can be credited to higher quality vehicles and improved maintenance services.

What we can take away from these statistics is that older cars are lasting longer than ever before and consumers are interested in keeping them as long as they can and in the best possible condition rather than trade them in for new versions. Think you have an idea that could contribute to the car maintenance, repair or service industry? Read on for some inspirational companies in the field, plus those all-important APIs for building your own connected car app or service.

Key players in car maintenance apps and services

Fuelly

Fuelly helps drivers calculate their vehicle’s fuel economy. Tracking the car’s fuel usage over time can help drivers monitor changes to their driving habits and keep tabs on the health of their vehicle.

Car Minder Plus

Car Minder Plus is an app that allows users to track multiple cars, keep track of their fuel economy, make note of what maintenance has been done to the vehicle and have a general overview of the health of the vehicle.

Autosist

Autosist has some crossover into fleet management, but its maintenance tools are also worth noting. They include a system and maintenance tracker, record transfers, spending reports and more.

myFuelLog

This app by MyFuelLog keeps track of your fill-ups and car expenses conveniently. It also tracks time and location.

APIs to build your own car maintenance app or service

Door Locks

Found in the Digital Key category in the Developer Center, the Door Locks API is a useful tool for numerous types of apps or services which require access to the vehicle, or applications which simply want to allow the driver the ability to lock or unlock the doors when away from the car. This API is crucial to pretty much any car maintenance application as mechanics, cleaners or other drivers will need to be able to access the vehicle with the permission of the owner. Using the Door Locks API the owner can approve everyone who enters the vehicle, ensuring the security of the car and any valuables stored inside.

{
"doors": [
{
"doorLocation": "front_left",
"doorPosition": "closed",
"doorLock": "unlocked"
}
]
}
}

Fluid levels

{
"washerFluidLevel": "low"
}

Both the Brake Fluid Level API and the Washer Fluid Level API can be found in the Diagnostics category of the Developer Center. Both key elements to a maintenance or repair project, these APIs can reveal if there is enough fluid for either the windscreen wipers or the brakes so that a mechanic or driver would know to top them up, or identify if lack of fluid is the cause of other, perhaps more serious, issues.

Tire Pressure

{
"fuelLevel": 90
}

The Tire Pressure API is also found in the Diagnostics category of the Developer Center. Like the fluid level APIs this API shows the user or mechanic the tire pressure of the vehicle and could alert them if tire pressure levels were low or dangerous. In the context of a repair or maintenance app, this API is great for keeping an eye on the general health of the vehicle and ensuring that problems don’t go unforeseen for long periods.

— — — -

Want to learn more about car maintenance applications in the current market?

Over on our Featured Developers page, we’ve profiled Handl, a UK-focused company which has used our SDKs and is already set to communicate with a carmaker’s back-end through the Auto API. The company specialises in the development and conception of direct-to-car services. Working with trusted service providers across the UK they ensure that users’ vehicles are maintained, cleaned and working at full performance.

We’ve also profiled Third Space Auto, an application which seeks to offer multi-agent systems designed to enable the mobility environment to adapt seamlessly and intuitively to the needs of people and products going from A to B.

Make sure you keep an eye on our Featured Developers page as we’ll be adding more car maintenance apps over the next few months.

In the next post in this series we’ll be taking a look at some more of the APIs you can play around with in our car-branded workspaces, focusing on parking services. Stay tuned to our social media for further updates and news!

HIGH MOBILITY Magazine

We're the vehicle data platform for applications working with personalised car data. Follow us for articles about developer tools, car tech and connected life.

HIGH MOBILITY

Written by

HIGH MOBILITY is the leading vehicle data platform for applications working with personalised car data. Follow us for vehicle data insights and platform news.

HIGH MOBILITY Magazine

We're the vehicle data platform for applications working with personalised car data. Follow us for articles about developer tools, car tech and connected life.

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