Posted by Nikoletta Ventseslavova

 Mobile devices transform how people live and work. Their reach extends into every facet of modern life, even your car. Apps made for the iPhone, iPad and Android devices have replaced GPS devices for many drivers and made traveling easier than ever.

Try the following 5 car apps that every driver needs to help you get the most from your mobile device while you travel.

1. aCar: Keep Good Auto Records

This Android-powered application tracks almost every detail about a car. When used as intended, drivers can record automobile maintenance, miles traveled, tolls, parking and other expenses, so there’s never a doubt about how much a car costs to own and operate.

ACar will help tally miles per gallon performance, elapsed time before filling the tank and more. A disciplined personality will most benefit from this app since drivers must manually enter most of the data it uses.

However, most drivers will find the convenient form-like interface makes it easy to enter everything from service intervals to trip expenses.

The standard version of aCar is free from Android Market. A Pro version is available for a donation of $5, $10 or $15. Pro features include improvements such as localized language options, charts, import, export and manual backup

2. Voice Actions: Safely Use Phones While Driving

Apple fans went crazy when the iPhone and iPad receive voice control options, something Android already had for a long time. Voice Actions helps drivers use their smartphone while driving without the risk of taking their eyes off the road.

By speaking to their phone, drivers can check their email, play music, open Web pages, get directions and send text messages. They can also place and answer voice phone calls and take notes.

Google developed this free app exclusively for Android, so it offers exceptional compatibility.

3. Waze: Join a Social Driving Team

Community participation makes Waze a step above ordinary navigation apps. Versions for BlackBerry, Android and Apple iOS are available, giving smartphone users access to live maps that show current traffic conditions and other relevant driving information.

Drivers must download the app and run it as they drive to make Waze a successful social navigation application. Real-time GPS data displays on a user’s screen, so they can see where traffic jams, accidents, speed traps and other road hazards exist. With this information, drivers can choose a better route.

Users determine their own level of participation. They contribute to the system just by running the app. However, they can also choose to post additional information about traffic conditions and add updates to Waze maps.

4. Gasbuddy: Find Cheap Gas

Drivers love Gasbuddy because it helps them find nearby gas stations and reports their recent price. This is a community-powered app that relies on user input. To encourage participation, every time a driver enters an updated gas price or participates in the community, they earn points toward prizes.

Gasbuddy has thousands of users around the country posting the latest gas prices and lists the age of posted prices. Armed with this information drivers can gauge the reliability of the information they receive.

Users of Windows Phone, Android and Apple devices can download an app built for their phone. Drivers who have other phones can access Gasbuddy through a mobile website.

5. Parkdroid: Go Straight to Your Car

Drivers will never have trouble finding their cars after a ballgame, concert or shopping spree if they have the Parkdroid app on their phone. All they do is tap the app on their screen and it will tag their location using GPS. When inside parking garages, drivers must manually enter their car’s location.

This app lets drivers pay parking fees via SMS message (where supported) and has a handy parking meter alarm feature that helps avoid pesky parking fines. The app also has a map that identifies parking lots in the area and displays newly available spots.

These car apps turn phones into helpful travel companions. Drivers should download them all, try them and keep the ones they most like. After experiencing the benefits of these apps, they will likely look for more apps that make driving easier.

About the author: Tara Lynn helped author a car insurance guide covering the major American auto insurance companies. When not working on her autobiography, she can be found volunteering at the animal shelter near her home.

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