Auto Expert Shocked: How This "Genius Device" Is Helping Thousands of Drivers Avoid Getting Ripped Off By Mechanics
by Jennifer Peterson
Consumer Technology
Monday, March 01, 2025.
by Jennifer Peterson
Consumer Technology
Monday, March 01, 2025.
"You need a new transmission. It's going to cost around $3,200."
Those were the words from the mechanic I'd trusted for years. I'd taken my car in for what I thought was a simple oil change and tire rotation. Nothing had seemed wrong with my Honda—it was running perfectly fine.
But there I was, being told I needed an expensive repair that would drain my savings. What choice did I have? Like most people, I don't know much about what goes on under the hood. When a mechanic tells me something needs fixing, I've always just nodded and paid the bill.
What happened next, though, changed everything—and saved me thousands of dollars.
That's when my neighbor Jim stepped in and revealed something shocking that mechanics don't want you to know.
Jim is a retired automotive engineer who's been helping people in our community avoid getting ripped off for years. He took one look at my worried face when I told him about the transmission quote and said, "Before you spend a dime, I want to check something."
He went to his garage and came back with a small device about the size of a key fob.
He said, "Let me show you something mechanics don't want you to know about. It's called FIXD, and it's going to tell us exactly what's wrong with your car in plain English."
Jim plugged this little device into a port under my steering wheel (apparently all cars made after 1996 have this port), connected it to his phone, and within seconds, he was looking at a detailed report about my car.
He smiled and showed me his phone screen. "You don't need a new transmission. You have a loose gas cap and a minor sensor issue that costs about $85 to fix. That's it."
I was shocked. My trusted mechanic was trying to charge me over $3,000 for completely unnecessary repairs!
What Jim told me next made my blood boil:
"According to nationwide studies, the average consumer is quoted higher prices and recommended unnecessary repairs nearly 60% of the time. The auto repair industry has a dirty secret."
Research shows that the average person pays about $380 more per repair than necessary for the EXACT same work. And certain groups like seniors and those who appear unfamiliar with cars? They're targeted even more aggressively.
It's not just the occasional bad mechanic—it's a widespread industry practice that preys on people who don't have technical knowledge about cars.
The worst part? Until now, there was no way for most of us to know if we were being scammed.
Jim explained that FIXD was created by three engineering graduates from Georgia Tech who were tired of seeing their friends and family members getting ripped off by mechanics.
They created a simple device that plugs into your car, connects to your smartphone, and tells you exactly what's wrong in plain English—no technical jargon, no confusion, and no way for mechanics to take advantage of you.
After Jim showed me what was really wrong with my car, I called another mechanic and asked specifically for the two minor issues FIXD had identified. The total bill? Just $85.
Just to be sure, I asked this new mechanic about my transmission. After looking at it, he confirmed what FIXD had shown—there was absolutely nothing wrong with it.
I was stunned. I had almost paid $3,200 for a problem that didn't exist!
The next day, I ordered my own FIXD device. It arrived two days later, and I was amazed at how easy it was to use. The device itself is smaller than my key fob, and it took me less than a minute to set everything up:
That's it! Now I can check my car's health anytime with just a tap on my phone. If my check engine light comes on, FIXD instantly tells me:
No more anxiety. No more being taken advantage of. No more unnecessarily expensive repairs.
FIXD is specifically designed for people who don't know much about cars but want to protect themselves from dishonest mechanics.
Created by automotive engineers who saw their own family members getting ripped off, FIXD is:
Just three weeks after getting my FIXD, my check engine light came on while I was driving on the highway. Normally, this would have sent me into a panic—especially being far from home.
But with FIXD already plugged in, I just pulled over at the next rest stop and opened the app on my phone. In seconds, I knew exactly what was wrong: "Loose or missing gas cap."
The app explained this was a minor issue that wouldn't damage my car, and I could safely continue driving. It even showed me how to fix it myself: just tighten the gas cap until it clicks.
I did exactly that, and FIXD even let me clear the check engine light right from the app!
Before FIXD, I would have limped to the nearest service station in a panic, where who knows what "urgent repairs" they might have convinced me I needed.
Almost everyone has experienced that sinking feeling when a mechanic starts listing all the "urgent" problems your car supposedly has. You're left wondering: "Do I really need these repairs? Am I being ripped off? What choice do I have?"
FIXD changes that power dynamic completely:
Unlike other diagnostic tools that just show confusing error codes, FIXD translates everything into simple language anyone can understand, putting the power back in your hands.
John Gattuso, one of the founders of FIXD, explains why they created this device:
"We created FIXD after seeing too many of our friends and family come home upset after mechanic visits, feeling like they'd been taken advantage of. With over 2 million sensors sold, we're proud to say we've helped people save millions of dollars in unnecessary repairs. Our mission is simple: we want every driver to have the information they need to make confident decisions about their vehicles, regardless of their technical knowledge."
Here's what drivers are saying about how FIXD has changed their experiences with car repairs:
"This device is a game-changer for anyone who doesn't know much about cars. My check engine light came on during a trip, and FIXD told me it wasn't a critical issue and would not affect the performance of my car. What a relief to know my car wasn't going to break down! When I took it to the shop later, I already knew exactly what needed fixing. The look on the mechanic's face when I told him precisely what was wrong was priceless." - Don, Verified Buyer
"I bought three of these - one for each of our family vehicles. What a great product and well worth the money! I can check on my daughter's car even when she's away at college. Last month, her check engine light came on, and I could see it was just a minor sensor issue, not the 'urgent' repair her local mechanic was trying to charge $650 for. It paid for itself right there!" - April M., Verified Buyer
"After losing my longtime mechanic, going to repair shops became one of my biggest anxieties. The first time I went to a new place, they tried to tell me I needed $1,200 in repairs for a simple oil change visit. A friend suggested FIXD, and now I feel empowered. Yesterday, I actually had a mechanic apologize to me when I showed him my FIXD report contradicting his 'diagnosis.' This should be mandatory for anyone who owns a car!" - Thomas R., Verified Buyer
"This device is the best thing I have ever purchased for my car. I was always anxious when that check engine light came on, and mechanics seemed to smell my fear. Now I plug in my FIXD, check the app, and know exactly what's wrong before I ever talk to a repair shop. I've saved over $2,000 in the past year alone by avoiding unnecessary repairs. Finally, I feel confident dealing with car issues, and that's priceless." - Marcus C., Verified Buyer
When I first discovered FIXD, it was selling for $59.99 per device. At that price, it would still have saved me thousands on that one avoided transmission repair.
But I have great news! FIXD is currently running a special promotion for readers of this article with incredible savings:
Since most households have multiple vehicles, the multi-device options are extremely popular. I personally bought the "Buy 2, Get 1 Free" package so I could put one in each of our cars and give one to a family member.
With more than 2 million devices sold and over 10,000 five-star reviews, FIXD is quickly becoming standard equipment for smart car owners who are tired of being taken advantage of by mechanics.
If you or someone you love owns a car and doesn't have extensive mechanical knowledge, then YES, FIXD is absolutely essential.
This is especially true for:
With FIXD, you gain confidence, peace of mind, and protection from predatory repair practices. It's like having a trusted mechanic in your pocket at all times.
And with the 30-day money-back guarantee, there's absolutely no risk in trying it.
*IMPORTANT UPDATE: * Due to a recent feature on a major morning show, FIXD inventory is running critically low. Over 37,000 units were sold in the last 48 hours alone, and they're struggling to keep up with demand. To secure your FIXD sensor(s) at these special prices before they sell out, immediate action is recommended.
Donna L. 
I can't tell you how many times I've been taken advantage of by mechanics over the years. Last time my check engine light came on, the shop quoted me $750 for repairs. With FIXD, I found out it was just a loose gas cap! This little device paid for itself in one use, and now I feel so much more confident when dealing with car issues. I bought one for each of my family members too.
Margaret J.
After my husband passed last year, car maintenance became so stressful. My neighbor recommended FIXD, and it's been life-changing. The app is super easy to use - if I can figure it out at 71, anyone can! When my check engine light came on last month, I knew exactly what was wrong before I even called the shop. The mechanic was quite surprised when I told him exactly what needed fixing!
Robert
I bought this for my wife after she was quoted $1,200 for repairs during a routine oil change. FIXD showed there was nothing seriously wrong with her car! We've had it for about 8 months now, and it's saved us thousands. It's especially great for monitoring both our vehicles from one phone. Peace of mind is priceless!
Sarah K.
As someone who knows nothing about cars, this device has been a game-changer. I've always felt so vulnerable at auto shops, never knowing if I was being told the truth. Now I check my FIXD app before going in, and I can speak with confidence about what's actually wrong with my car. No more unnecessary repairs or feeling intimidated. Every car owner should have this!
David W.
I got this for my mother after she was charged $2,500 for repairs she didn't need. Now I can check her car's health from my own phone, even though we live in different states. Last week her check engine light came on, and I could tell her exactly what was wrong and that it was safe to drive to her regular appointment. This device provides incredible peace of mind for families with elderly parents.
Patricia
Three months of using FIXD has completely changed my relationship with auto repairs. I used to just nod and agree to whatever the mechanic recommended. Now I know exactly what's wrong with my car before I even walk into the shop. The look on the mechanic's face when I told him I knew the oxygen sensor was faulty (not the catalytic converter he was trying to replace) was priceless. This device has already saved me over $1,200!