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Getting started

What you need

  • An iPhone with GasTab from the App Store (Step 1 below).
  • An OBD2 BLE adapter plugged into your car’s OBD2 port (OBD-II). We’ve tested the OBDLink CX, Veepeak OBDCheck BLE, and Vgate iCar Pro BLE. Other OBD2 BLE adapters may work as well. Note: the OBDLink CX often does not work reliably with many GM and Ford vehicles — for those, a Veepeak or Vgate is the safer choice.
  • A gasoline or hybrid vehicle with OBD2.

Step 1 — Install GasTab

  1. On your iPhone, open GasTab on the App Store and tap Get.
  2. Searching the App Store instead? Search GasTab (or gastab). The direct link above is the surest way to find it.

Step 2 — Welcome & GasTab Settings (first launch)

  1. On first launch, GasTab shows Welcome with these fields already on screen. (You can reopen them any time from the gear icon on the Live tab, upper right.)
  2. Enter Driver name or alias and Vehicle name, then tap Save. Or tap Skip for now.

Step 3 — Allow iPhone permissions

Your iPhone records each trip — route map and stats. The OBD2 adapter simply supplies the engine data.

  1. Location: allow when prompted. GasTab requires While Using the App or Always. If available, choosing Always gives GasTab the best chance to keep recording in the background.
  2. Make sure your phone’s Bluetooth is turned on: iPhone Settings → Bluetooth, but do not tap Connect — GasTab connects directly; pairing in Settings blocks it.

Step 4 — Plug in the OBD2 BLE adapter

  1. Plug the adapter into the OBD2 port (usually under the dash, often near the hood release). You may want to use a mirror to find it. The wider part of the port and adapter should be closer to the car floor in most vehicles. The engine can stay off until Step 5.
OBDLink CX, Veepeak OBDCheck BLE, and Vgate iCar Pro BLE adapters
Supported adapters. GasTab has been tested with OBDLink CX, Veepeak OBDCheck BLE, and Vgate iCar Pro BLE.
Empty OBD2 port under the dash next to the hood release lever
Find the port. Look under the driver-side dash. In many cars the OBD2 port sits near the hood release lever.
Empty OBD2 port showing trapezoid shape with wide edge toward the floor
Orientation. The port is a small trapezoid. In most vehicles the wide edge faces the floor — match that when you plug in the adapter.
OBDLink CX adapter fully plugged in with power and link lights on
Plugged in. Push until the adapter seats fully. Status lights (green power, blue link) mean it is ready for GasTab to connect in Step 5.

Step 5 — Connect OBD2 in GasTab

  1. Open GasTab → Live tab.
  2. Tap Start.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Watch the status line: Scanning… → Connecting: [adapter name] → Ready (polling) • [name].
  5. Wait for RPM to show. The first time it may take up to 90 seconds.

Step 6 — Drive and Record a Trip

  1. Drive.
  2. When finished, tap Stop.

Notes:

  • Trips shorter than one minute are not saved.
  • During your first trips: Keep GasTab on Live and your iPhone screen on for the whole drive.
  • While you’re recording, Stop is red. If Stop is grey, you’re not recording — tap Start again.
  • Locking the screen or using CarPlay can stop recording early in the current version.
  • At your destination: Stay on Live and tap Stop before you lock the phone or leave the car.
  • After a few reliable trips: You can switch to other apps while GasTab stays open in the background.

Step 7 — Confirm the trip on your phone

  1. Open the Trips tab — your drive should appear.
  2. Tap a trip for map, fuel, and scores.

Step 8 — Web dashboard

  1. The web dashboard is in early access (invite-only for now). Request a login token with the Intake form — Scott usually emails yours within 6–12 hours (often sooner). You can record on your phone while you wait.
  2. In GasTab Settings (Live → gear): turn on Upload trips and enter your access token.
  3. Now completed trips will upload automatically when you have network access.
  4. Sign in at gastab.app with the same token.

Stuck?

Having problems connecting? Tap Copy Info on the app.

Email scott@getcarprint.com with the pasted copy or a screenshot.

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