Get help with PlainAuto — vehicle maintenance explained in plain language.
PlainAuto is a dual-audience vehicle maintenance app available on iOS and Android. It serves both car owners (education, tracking, DIY guides) and mechanics/technicians (quick-reference specs, repair procedures, diagnostic tools). Features a mode selector to switch between Car Owner and Mechanic mode. All content is 100% offline — no accounts, no internet required, no data collection.
Yes. PlainAuto is fully offline with no accounts, no cloud sync, and no analytics. Vehicle data (year/make/model) and service history are stored locally on your device. We never collect any personal information. See our Privacy Policy for details.
Free car owner features include: all 22 dashboard warning lights (color-coded urgency), all 8 emergency guides (flat tire, dead battery, overheating, accident, etc.), 50 auto glossary terms, 1 vehicle profile, basic maintenance schedule (oil, tires, brakes), under the hood overview, 2 DIY guides (tire inflation, wiper replacement), and 1 seasonal prep checklist.
Free mechanic features include: 10 common torque specs, 10 common repair procedures, fluid capacities by vehicle class, top 50 OBD-II codes with plain-language explanations, bolt pattern reference (19-20 patterns), and 5 customer explainer cards.
PlainAuto offers three one-time purchase tiers:
• Owner Premium ($4.99) — Full maintenance schedule (15+ tasks), all 12 DIY guides, under the hood deep dive, service history log, cost estimator, mechanic visit prep, full 200+ glossary, all seasonal checklists, fluids guide, buying/selling guide, and multi-vehicle support.
• Pro Unlock ($9.99) — Full torque spec database, 50+ detailed repair procedures, wiring color codes, diagnostic decision trees, full 500+ OBD-II code library, all 30 customer explainer cards, labor time estimator, parts cross-reference, and seasonal service checklists.
• Complete Bundle ($12.99) — Both Owner Premium and Pro Unlock together (save $1.99).
You choose your mode (Car Owner or Mechanic) at first launch. You can switch modes at any time through Settings. Each mode has its own 5-tab navigation optimized for its audience.
iOS: Open PlainAuto → Settings → Restore Purchases. Your purchase is linked to your Apple ID.
Android: Open PlainAuto → Settings → Restore Purchases. Your purchase is linked to your Google account.
No. PlainAuto is 100% offline. All guides, specs, OBD-II codes, and reference content are bundled with the app. No internet connection is ever required.
Try these steps:
1. Force-close and reopen the app.
2. Restart your device.
3. Make sure you are running the latest version from the App Store or Google Play.
4. If the issue persists, contact us (see below) with your device model, OS version, and a description of the problem.
Bug reports, feature requests, or questions about the app. We read every message and respond as quickly as possible.
Business, partnership, or general inquiries about PlainAuto.
Disclaimer: PlainAuto provides vehicle maintenance information for educational purposes only. Always follow your vehicle manufacturer's maintenance schedule. For complex repairs, electrical work, or safety-critical systems, consult a qualified mechanic. PlainAuto is not responsible for any damage or injury resulting from repair attempts.