EZ Car Fix ("we", "us") publishes free DIY auto repair guides and runs a community forum. This policy explains what data we collect, why, and what choices you have. If you do not agree with it, please do not use the site.
Information you give us
- Forum accounts. When you register, we collect your name, email address, and password (stored hashed, never in readable form). You may also add a bio and a profile photo. Your questions, answers, and username are public by design: that is the point of a forum.
- Newsletter. When you subscribe, we collect your email address so we can send repair tips and site updates. Every email includes a one-click unsubscribe link, and unsubscribing deletes you from the mailing list.
- Contact form. When you write to us, we receive your name, email address, and message by email at our support inbox so we can reply. Messages are not stored in a website database.
Information collected automatically
- Server logs. Our host records standard technical data needed to run the site: IP address, browser type, and pages requested. Logs rotate automatically and are used for security and debugging only.
- Analytics. We use Google Analytics 4 to understand aggregate usage (for example, which guides are popular). Analytics data is aggregated and does not identify you personally. You can opt out with Google's analytics opt-out add-on.
- Cookies. We use a small number of cookies strictly needed for the site to work: a session cookie, a security token, and a "remember me" cookie if you stay logged in. We do not use cookies to track you across other websites.
Advertising
EZ Car Fix may display ads served by Google AdSense and other third-party vendors. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this website or other websites. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to you based on your visit to this site and/or other sites on the Internet. You may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. You can also opt out of a third-party vendor's use of cookies for personalized advertising by visiting www.aboutads.info.
Embedded video
Guide pages may embed a YouTube "nocookie" player as a visual aid. YouTube only sets its own cookies if you click through and interact with the video, which is then covered by Google's privacy policy.
How we use your information
- Operate your account and the forum (login, notifications, your posts).
- Send the newsletter you subscribed to, and respond to your messages.
- Keep the site secure, fix bugs, and understand which content helps people.
We do not sell your personal data. We share it only with the service providers needed to run the site (hosting, email delivery), and only as much as they need, or when required by law.
How long we keep data
Account and newsletter data is kept until you delete it: remove your forum account from your account page or unsubscribe from any newsletter email. Server logs and aggregated analytics rotate automatically.
Your rights
You can view and edit your profile at any time, download or correct your information, and delete your account entirely. To exercise any of these rights, or to ask what data we hold about you, write to privacy@ezcarfix.com and we will respond within 30 days.
Children
EZ Car Fix is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their personal data. If you believe a child has given us data, contact us and we will delete it.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the site evolves. Material changes will be noted here with a new "last updated" date. Continued use of the site after changes means you accept the updated policy.
Contact
Questions about privacy: privacy@ezcarfix.com.
The Chrome extension has its own policy at https://ezcarfix.com/obd2-extension-privacy.html.