Question 1

What is Kaiju Mechanic?

Accepted Answer

Kaiju Mechanic is an AI-powered OBD-II diagnostic app for iOS and Android. Connect a Bluetooth OBD-II adapter to your car's diagnostic port, and the app reads live sensor data, decodes trouble codes (DTCs), and lets you chat with an AI assistant to understand what's wrong and what to do next.

Question 2

What do I need to use Kaiju Mechanic?

Accepted Answer

You need three things: (1) A compatible smartphone — iPhone (iOS 15+) or Android (8.0+). (2) A Bluetooth OBD-II adapter plugged into your car's OBD port (usually under the dashboard on the driver's side). (3) A car made in 1996 or later (all US vehicles from 1996+ are required to have an OBD-II port). Wi-Fi or cellular data is needed for AI features.

Question 3

Which Bluetooth OBD-II adapters are compatible?

Accepted Answer

Kaiju Mechanic works with Bluetooth 4.0 (BLE) OBD-II adapters. We recommend the Veepeak OBDCheck BLE+, FIXD, or BLUEDRIVER as reliable options. Generic ELM327 Bluetooth adapters (Wi-Fi versions are not supported) also work in most cases. Adapters advertised as "iOS compatible" or "BLE" are your safest bet.

Question 4

Does my car need to be running to use the app?

Accepted Answer

Your car's ignition must be on (you don't need the engine running — "key on, engine off" works for most features). For live sensor data like RPM, coolant temperature, and MAF readings, the engine should be running.

Question 5

Does it work with electric vehicles (EVs)?

Accepted Answer

Kaiju Mechanic works with EVs that have a standard OBD-II port — most modern EVs do. However, the available data varies by manufacturer. Standard OBD-II PIDs (state of charge, 12V battery, general fault codes) typically work, but proprietary EV-specific data (high-voltage battery health, thermal management) usually requires manufacturer-specific software. The app clearly indicates which PIDs returned data for your vehicle.

Question 6

How do I connect the app to my car?

Accepted Answer

Plug your Bluetooth OBD-II adapter into your car's OBD port and turn the ignition on. In the app, go to the Diagnostics tab, tap "Connect Adapter," and the app will scan for nearby OBD devices. Select your adapter from the list and the app will handle the pairing. Most adapters connect in under 10 seconds.

Question 7

My adapter isn't showing up. What should I try?

Accepted Answer

First, make sure the adapter is firmly seated in the OBD port and the ignition is on — the adapter's LED should be lit. Check that Bluetooth is enabled on your phone and you've granted the app Bluetooth permissions. If the adapter previously paired with another device (another phone or car app), unpair it from that device first. As a last resort, unplug the adapter for 10 seconds, then try again.

Question 8

The connection drops while I'm driving. Is that normal?

Accepted Answer

Occasional brief disconnects are normal if your phone and adapter are far apart or the adapter's Bluetooth signal is weak. Kaiju Mechanic automatically reconnects when the adapter comes back in range. If disconnects are frequent, try a different adapter position or a higher-quality adapter with a stronger Bluetooth signal. Leaving your phone on the dash or in a mount close to the OBD port also helps.

Question 9

Can the adapter drain my car battery?

Accepted Answer

A good Bluetooth OBD-II adapter draws very little power (typically under 20mA in standby), so leaving it plugged in is generally safe for vehicles driven regularly. If your car sits unused for weeks at a time, unplug the adapter to eliminate any risk. Some premium adapters have sleep modes to minimize standby current.

Question 10

How does the AI diagnostic feature work?

Accepted Answer

When your car sets a fault code (DTC), Kaiju Mechanic sends the code along with your vehicle's year, make, model, and live sensor context to Claude — Anthropic's AI — to generate a plain-language explanation. The AI describes what the code means, the most common root causes for your specific vehicle, and suggested next steps, from DIY checks to when to see a mechanic.

Question 11

Is the AI diagnosis accurate enough to trust?

Accepted Answer

The AI provides well-informed guidance based on OBD data and automotive knowledge — it's significantly more helpful than looking up a code on a generic website. That said, it's a diagnostic aid, not a replacement for a certified mechanic. For safety-critical systems (brakes, steering, airbags) or when the AI recommends professional inspection, please visit a qualified technician. Always confirm AI suggestions against your specific vehicle's service information.

Question 12

What is the AI Chat feature?

Accepted Answer

AI Chat lets you have a free-form conversation with an automotive AI assistant about your vehicle. Ask follow-up questions about a fault code, describe a symptom you've noticed, or ask general maintenance questions. The AI has full context about your vehicle's profile and any active DTCs — you don't have to repeat yourself.

Question 13

Do AI features work offline?

Accepted Answer

AI features require an internet connection since the analysis runs on Anthropic's servers. Core OBD features — reading fault codes, viewing live sensor data, and checking previously cached analyses — work offline. Cached AI results from previous sessions are stored on your device and remain accessible without a connection.

Question 14

What's the difference between AI tiers?

Accepted Answer

Free users get a set number of AI analyses per month with standard response quality. Starter subscribers get more monthly credits and access to enhanced analysis. Plus subscribers get unlimited AI analyses and access to the most capable AI models for detailed, nuanced diagnoses. All tiers use Anthropic's Claude — the difference is monthly credit allowance and which model version is used.

Question 15

How many vehicles can I add?

Accepted Answer

Free accounts support 1 vehicle. Starter subscribers can add up to 2 vehicles. Plus subscribers can add unlimited vehicles. If you need to swap your vehicle, you can delete an existing one and add a new one at any time.

Question 16

Can I add a vehicle manually without scanning the VIN?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can enter your vehicle's year, make, model, and trim manually. VIN scanning and OBD-based VIN reading are faster and more accurate (they capture the exact engine and transmission configuration), but they're optional.

Question 17

What service records can I track?

Accepted Answer

You can log oil changes, tire rotations, brake service, filter replacements, fluid flushes, and any custom service events. Each record stores the date, mileage, cost, notes, and photos of receipts. The app also tracks upcoming service intervals based on your vehicle's OEM schedule and alerts you when service is due.

Question 18

Can I attach photos to service records?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can attach photos to service records and maintenance logs — useful for photographing receipts, parts, or before/after comparisons. Photo storage counts against your account's storage limit (2 GB for Free/Starter, 5 GB for Plus).

Question 19

Is there a free plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The free plan includes OBD-II connectivity, fault code reading, a limited number of AI analyses per month, 1 vehicle, and basic service record tracking. No credit card required.

Question 20

What's included in the paid plans?

Accepted Answer

Starter adds more monthly AI credits, 2 vehicles, and enhanced analysis quality. Plus adds unlimited AI analyses, the most capable AI models, unlimited vehicles, 5 GB photo storage, and priority support. Both paid plans are available monthly or annually (annual saves ~20%).

Question 21

How do I cancel my subscription?

Accepted Answer

Subscriptions are managed through the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) — Kaiju Mechanic never stores your payment details. To cancel: on iOS, go to Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions; on Android, go to Google Play → Subscriptions. Your plan stays active until the end of the current billing period.

Question 22

Is there a free trial for paid plans?

Accepted Answer

Yes — new subscribers get a 7-day free trial on both Starter and Plus plans. You won't be charged until the trial ends, and you can cancel anytime during the trial with no cost.

Question 23

What happens to my data if I downgrade or cancel?

Accepted Answer

Your data is never deleted when you change plans. If you cancel, your account moves to the free tier. If you have more than 1 vehicle saved (Starter/Plus), additional vehicles become read-only until you upgrade again or delete them to stay within the free limit. All service records, photos, and chat history remain accessible.

Question 24

What data does Kaiju Mechanic collect?

Accepted Answer

We collect the data you provide (account email, vehicle information, service records, photos you upload) and diagnostic data from your OBD-II connection (fault codes, sensor readings). We also collect standard analytics (feature usage, crash reports) to improve the app. We do not sell your data to third parties. See our full Privacy Policy at rbzilla.com for details.

Question 25

Is my vehicle data shared with anyone?

Accepted Answer

Vehicle fault codes and sensor data sent for AI analysis are processed by Anthropic (the maker of Claude) under our data processing agreement. Anonymized, aggregated diagnostic data may contribute to community caches that improve analysis accuracy for all users. Your personal vehicle data (VIN, service history, photos) is never shared with third parties.

Question 26

Can I export or delete my data?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In the app, go to Settings → Account → Export Data to download a copy of all your data. To delete your account and all associated data, go to Settings → Account → Delete Account. Deletion is permanent and completes within 30 days per our Privacy Policy.

Question 27

Does the app work without creating an account?

Accepted Answer

Yes — you can use the app anonymously without creating an account. Anonymous users get access to OBD-II connectivity and fault code reading. Creating a free account unlocks AI chat (15 conversations per month), full service record tracking, cloud sync across devices, and the ability to restore your data if you switch phones.

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