This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Zubie. All opinions are 100% mine.
You might have seen me Tweeting about a new service that I'm using for my Saturn lately, and it's time to tell you about my firsthand experience with it! I installed Zubie right before the new year and it's already been a big help. You see, my Saturn Vue is 7 years old, and I've driven it like mad! I used to commute 29 miles to work each way, and we've taken road trips all over NC, to Key West, Orlando, Tampa, etc - my poor car has 150,000 miles on it already! Right before Christmas, my check engine light came on and I felt like I'd been given the kiss of death. Chris called up our mechanic and made an appointment to bring it in, but when he got into the car to take it over, the light went off. So he came back home...
After installing the Zubie, while the light wasn't on, the Zubie gave me a notification that I have engine trouble. We are still waiting to get another appointment with our mechanic but I'm so grateful that I have Zubie to tell me that there's still a problem!
What Exactly IS Zubie?
Zubie is a service that lets you track and improve your driving behavior, but it also gives you real- time information on the heath of your cars systems and condition, like it did with my engine trouble. All you need is the easy-to-install Zubie Key and mobile app for your iPhone or Android phone! The Zubie service costs $99.00 a year, but right now you can get a 20% savings! You can order today with code SAVE20JANand SAVE 20% on one year of the Zubie always-connected car service and a free Zubie Key. *Offer good through February 28, 2014. Shipping charges apply.
Zubie Features:
Monitors and tracks speeding, sudden acceleration, hard braking, vehicle location and more, making it a great service for families - especially with teen drivers in the house!
You can save money on car repairs and prevent breakdowns with simple translations of engine codes. Zubie even tracks your battery life while your car isn't running, how high-tech is that?
Say goodbye to those "WHERE ARE YOU?!" text messages between family members! Zubie allows you to stay in touch with your family and friends with their secure location sharing and trip coordination features. You set up groups to allow access to your location, so it's completely private and you don't have to worry about any weirdos knowing where you - or your teenagers - are!
Zubie more than an accessory, it's a service that uses a cellular connection to keep you, your car and your car's on-board systems always in communication. Zubie Key connects to your car directly to the Zubie cloud, wirelessly and there's no Bluetooth pairing to a phone necessary.
If you're the competitive type, you'll love that Zubie has share-worthy driving scores and badges that make safe driving more fun!
How to Properly Install Your Zubie
Firstly, find the diagnostics port in your car. If your gas-powered car was manufactured after 1996, it will likely have it. You might have to get down on the floor board of your driver's side, as it's generally pretty hidden. I found mine right under the steering wheel.
You'll see that there's a little grid, which the prongs of the Zubie will match up to once you insert it.
After you insert the Zubie into your diagnostics port, a little blue light will brighten up on your Zubie - if it hasn't lit up, that means you haven't inserted it all the way.
Once the light is on, download the Zubie app on your iPhone or Android phone and go to the Activate Zubie Key tab in your menu. The Key is the code that came with your Zubie box. Enter your info to completely set up your account and then take your car for a drive to activate it! I just drove around the block once and that was enough for mine to activate.
Everyone talks about improving their health for the new year, but have you thought about making a resolution to take better care of your vehicle this year?
Have a Zubie New Year! Order today with code SAVE20JAN and save 20% on one year of Zubie always-connected car service and a free Zubie Key. A great way to use your Best Buy and Amazon holiday gift cards! Offer good through February 28, 2013. Shipping charges may apply.
You can even try Zubie for free before you buy it! Download the free Zubie app to try smartphone-based location sharing for free,and you can add it to your full service after buying the Zubie Key at any time. You can even return the Zubie Key within 30 days for your money back if you decide the service isn't for you.
Don't forget to like Zubie on Facebook and follow Zubie on Twitter to stay up to date on the service and get help with any questions you might have!
Stefani
I haven't heard of this but after reading your post, I want one for my car. I have two cars that I love but have some miles on them. I would like to probably get this for both of them.
Cara
This is awesome! I know our insurance carrier has something similar for those with teen drivers. I may look into this on for my older vehicles!
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
My car is a bit older than Chris's, but I still think I would get one for each of our cars. I think this is pretty awesome, actually.
Felicia
I am so blessed to have a husband who takes care of all of the car things. This does sound like a handy device, though!
Amy Desrosiers
This is a super cool device! I luck out because my husband is a mechanic and has a scan reader. This is perfect for people who are not so lucky!
Jessica
This is SO cool! I think I recently saw that All State has a similar program, I could be wrong about which insurance provider it is. The idea is genius and it's promoting safe driving which is most important. I love that you can get competitive with friends and family members by comparing scores. That would be motivation enough around here! I wonder if my provider has a program like this. If not, it sure is worth switching for!
Demetra
Zubie sounds like a great investment. I bought a used car last year, its also 7 years old. So far its running fine but it would be great to have Zubie to give warning about any car troubles that could have me stranded on the side of the road
Kecia
I would love to have Zubie installed on both of our cars. It's great that was able to detect you still had engine problems even though the check engine light had went off.
Paige
Wow that is amazing! I'm sure my husband would looooovveee to put it on my car! lol
Ellen Christian
What a neat idea. This would definitely come in handy.
Lindsey
This service would have saved my mom a TON of worry when I was a teenager. She was always making me call to check in!
Amy
This is so cool! I will definitely have these on my on my girls cars when they get old enough to drive!
Mickey Coutts
Zubie is so awesome! We put it on my husband's car because it's always having problems. It makes me feel better knowing that we'll be able to tell something is wrong before it gets worse.
Janel
I'm loving Zubie, too! I love that it can tell me the diagnostics. I use the trip feature all the time, though.
Melissa
This is such a neat service! I'd love to get this for my both my husband's car and mine!
Debi
I love Zubie. I want to get one for my hubby's car.
Janeane Davis
This seems like a good product/service that will help people feel more confident with car maintenance and repair.
Melinda Babiak
I should look into this for my daughter. everytime she leaves the house i panic thats she's not making good driving choices
Jamie
First off, I think your site is adorable! Second I think this Zubie is the best thing ever...I think my husband would love this!
Candy Olivares (
I'm always so leary of attaching things like thost to my car.. But I think it's def worth a try for savings.
Shelby Barone
This is brilliant. My car is getting up there in age too, and sounds like this tool will be very helpful for my family
Nancy Polanco
This is awesome. I know I could definitely use this. 🙂
Jennifer Wagner
This sounds great. Something like this should be mandatory in all cars. If we were still in the suburbs I would definitely get one but now that we live in NYC we don't have a car any more (which I love).
Cassie
I've never heard of Zubie before. It would be a bit awkward for me at first with that possibly bumping my knee but I think the benefits outweigh that.
Tasha
What a neat little device! This sounds like something my honey could use! Love that you can try before you buy too. Bonus! 🙂
Liz
I'm kinda thinking about putting that in my son's car so that if anything goes on with it, we'll have a starting point.
Jenn
Yeah, it's pretty cool! When I got the notification that there was engine issues, it actually listed them in detail! So when we finally get into the mechanic, I will know exactly what to tell them to look at, and I will know if they are trying to rip me off!
Jenn
I was worried about the same thing but it's so far down under the dashboard that you don't get close to it. Well, I am only 5'3" and I don't get close to it. LOL If you are super tall, maybe your knees stick out farther than mine! ha ha!
Jenn
Oh I am jealous! I would love not to need a car! 🙂
Brandy
I have heard of similar items car insurance companies use to help lower your cost of insurance, but never this Zubie. I kind of like the concept, my Town & Country would probably thank me for using such an item so I actually take better care of it. Thanks for sharing!
Liza
That actually doesn't look too hard to install! Thought I might have my husband do it, just in case 🙂
Danielle
How smart! What a great little device.
Ashley M
Our car just broke the 200,000 mile mark and it's at the point where parts are starting to give out. Zubie could definitely be helpful.
Bimmer transmission flash updates New Jersey
Preventing disasters from happening by regular maintenance on your cars is really a life saver. Cheaper in the long run and avoid disastrous problems on cars.