CarMD Connect: Answers to Common Questions

Purpose

This article will provide clear answers to frequently asked questions about CarMD Connect, helping users better understand its features, setup, functionality, and benefits.

About

Who can benefit from CarMD Connect?

Anyone who owns or is responsible for the upkeep of a car, light truck, SUV, or minivan can benefit from CarMD Connect. It’s great to monitor vehicle health and location for your own car. And it also enables you to co-manage a vehicle, which is ideal for households with more than one vehicle and teen drivers.

Where is CarMD located?

CarMD is headquartered in Irvine, California.

How long has the CarMD company been in business?

In 2006, CarMD.com Corporation launched to empower consumers by providing them with tools and information to make better-educated decisions about their vehicle’s health. Our affiliate company, Innova Electronics Corp., has been an industry leader of diagnostic tools and reporting for the automotive aftermarket since 1982.

Device

Will it work on my car?

CarMD Connect is designed to work on 1996 and newer cars, light trucks, SUVs, and minivans that are equipped with OBD2 technology.

How do I find where to plug in the CarMD Connect in my car?

CarMD connects to a universal 16-pin Data Link Connector (or DLC) found inside your vehicle. It is usually located under the dashboard on the driver’s side. This connector is standard on 1996 and newer vehicles in North America.

Is CarMD Connect the same as the CarMD device I had/heard about a few years ago?

From 2006 to 2013, CarMD sold its handheld device (2100/2150) and software kit. Drivers could plug the device into an OBD2 port under their vehicle’s dashboard and get a green, yellow, or red LED to see if their car was ready for a road trip or emissions test. The device is also connected to a computer to generate a vehicle health report, empowering them with upcoming maintenance and estimated repair costs, saving consumers thousands in automotive repairs. The original CarMD product earned many prestigious awards, including a 2007 CES Innovation Award and a 2010 Edison Award. Today, the company sells CarMD Connect, an all-in-one device and intelligent app that was launched in 2025.

Where can I get CarMD Connect?

CarMD Connect is now available at Walmart.com, Amazon.com, and on CarMDConnect.com.

How do I install CarMD Connect?

It's easy. Simply follow our step-by-step tutorial when setting up your account for iOS or Android.

Can I use CarMD Connect if I already have a similar product from my insurance company?

You can only have one device plugged into your vehicle’s OBD2 port, so if you already use a tracker for good driving discounts, you won’t be able to use CarMD Connect.

Can I use CarMD Connect with a hybrid or electric vehicle?

CarMD Connect works with newer model (2010 and newer) hybrids as well as most EVs, as long as the vehicle is equipped with an OBD2 port – where the CarMD Connect device is plugged in to gather vehicle data. However, EVs don’t have emissions-related components; their OBD2 systems primarily monitor the electric powertrain and battery health, so there may be limited functionality on EVs.

Can I use one for my entire family, or do I need one for every car in my household?

We recommend one CarMD Connect device for each household vehicle. However, the app can be shared and used by parents and their teens to help monitor their safety.

What is the CarMD Connect warranty?

We offer a limited one-year (1-year) warranty.

Mobile App

Does it require a subscription?

There are no hidden fees or subscriptions required to use CarMD Connect.

Do I have to install the CarMD Connect app?

Yes. To use CarMD Connect and access its features, functions, and benefits, you need to install the companion app, which is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Where is my VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)?

You can usually find your car's VIN in a few different places, including stamped on the dashboard near the driver’s side windshield, on a sticker inside the driver's side door, on your insurance policy, or on your vehicle’s title and registration.

Why does it ask for my VIN and mileage?

The CarMD database has tons of millions of vehicle-specific maintenance and repair insights. We need your VIN and mileage to provide you with the most accurate information for your specific vehicle and to ensure AskCarl, our AI chatbot, gives you personalized answers.

Do you have to own a CarMD Connect device to Join a Group?

No. Anyone in the family can download the app and Join a (family) Group. But you will need to give permission for someone to join the group. This makes it ideal for parents to help monitor their teen or elderly parent.

Where do you get the information for the AskCarMD chatbot?

CarMD has developed a proprietary knowledge base, developed over decades, with real-world vehicle service and repair data that includes maintenance and technician-verified, vehicle-specific fixes, plus licensed information from vehicle manufacturers. When you Ask CarMD a question, you get personalized answers customized to your vehicle, which is more accurate than if you were to ask a generic chatbot or any of the common artificial intelligence LLM engines.