With the scanner
Trip recording
With the OBDLink MX+ scanner in your car, the PulsCar app records each drive for you, checks for new trouble codes while you are on the road, and keeps a trip log you can show your mechanic.
Example · trip log
startlive readings ~ every 10 send
Trip summary
Duration, readings, codes that appeared
Code re-check
Every 5 minutes while you drive
What gets recorded
- Live readings from the car about every 10 seconds during the drive.
- Trouble codes: read when the app connects, and re-checked every 5 minutes while you drive. A new code triggers a notification.
- A trip log your mechanic can read, instead of "it makes a noise sometimes".
- A picture of how your car normally behaves, which builds up over about 100 km or 5 trips.
How it works
- Install the scanner. Plug the OBDLink MX+ into the OBD port once.
- Drive. The app connects and records. On Android you can turn on driving detection so it starts by itself.
- Open the log. See each trip, any codes that appeared and the readings behind them.
Good to know
- Recording needs the scanner plugged in and the phone within Bluetooth range.
- Trip recording is part of the PulsCar membership.
- The app records readings and codes. It does not repair or clear anything by itself.
Questions
Do I have to open the app for every trip?
On Android, with driving detection turned on, the app can start by itself when you get in the car. On other setups, open the app once the scanner is connected.
What can my mechanic do with the log?
They can see when a problem started, which codes appeared and how the car behaved before it, instead of guessing from your description.
Does it work with any scanner?
The PulsCar app works with the OBDLink MX+.
Does it track my location?
See the privacy policy for what the app collects and why.
Related guides
- OBDLink App 2026: Which App to Use, What It Costs, iPhone vs Android, and What to Do When It Won't Connect
- Car Diagnostic Tool in 2026: Which of Nine Tools Your Problem Needs, and What Each One Cannot See
- Best OBD2 Code Reader: Handheld, Bluetooth or Pro Tool?
- OBD2 Codes: Which Get a Software Fix? 1,412 Manufacturer Bulletins Analyzed
- Used Car Inspection Checklist 2026: Paperwork, Walk-Around, Test Drive and the OBD2 Check for Cleared Codes
- How to Find an Honest Mechanic in 2026: Test Them Before You Need Them
Scanner + app
Scanner + app →More services: see all PulsCar services.