Auto Care Computer

Electronic signal computer assures car maintenance...protects warranty...and enhances car safety.

Fleet vehicle operators can maintain their cars in full compli­ance with manufacturers' require­ments under the 5-year-50,000 mile warranty programs now in ef­fect, Not only is the warranty pro­tected, but car safely is further en­hanced.

The completely new and revo­lutionary Electronic Signal Main­tenance 'Plan, offered by American Fleetway Leasing, Inc., Beverly Mills, Calif., available not only to their own leased fleets but also to other leasing companies and com­pany fleets, if properly adhered to not only keeps a car in safe and more efficient operating condition while the car is being driven, but more important, helps to bring a much higher resale price when the car is being replaced.

The maintenance plan revolves around an auto care unit-a highly accurate, miniaturized electronic computer. This unit counts, mem­orizes, adds and signals when the next engine servicing is required by the car.

How the computer does all it does is not a mystery. However, its operation is so complex that a tech­nical explanation will not be at­tempted here.

Simply, the computer (mounted below the instrument panel) re­ceives and records information from three sources in a car. This information covers (1) the passage of time (days); (2) the number of times the starter switch is used; and (3) the number of hours of engine   running   time.

As the car is driven, the com­puter memorizes and adds these; three factors together. When the total of all three-in any propor­tion or combination-indicates the end of the car's safe service period, the computer activates a signal which tells the driver that it is time for another car servicing.

The reminder signal is a light which flashes momentarily in the window of the computer when the ignition switch is turned on.

This warning signal will flash each time the ignition switch is turned on until the unit is reset at the start of the next service period.

The electronic signal computer was developed because car manufacturers do not at present provide a gauge to indicate the actual status of the car's service and lu­brication needs. A cars service needs should be measured by more than mileage alone.

For example, on long trips the computer will indicate that serv­ice is needed only after many more miles have been traveled than when the car is driven primarily in city traffic involving a large amount of stop and go driving.

With this computer installed in the car, it is not necessary to keep track of the calendar, the distance traveled, or the number of engine starts. The computer does tin's for the driver and alerts the driver to the need for service at the proper time.

The Electronic Signal Computer

The Electronic Signal, Computer is mechanically de­signed to be installed in less than ten minutes with the use of a pair of pliers and a screw driver. It is electronically designed to continuously compute the use to which the automobile is put and to signal the driver when service is needed.

The replaceable E-Cell is the basic computing ele­ment of the computer. It is preset at the factory to the level of automobile use recommended by Ameri­can Fleetway. As the automobile is driven, this com­puter element continuously calculates the effects of the automobile's use as it is represented by the three inputs. When the automobile use has reached the level preset in the E-Cell, the light in the computer will come on each time the ear is started only during the starling process. When the E-Cell is replaced with one which has been reset, the computing process will repeat.

This computer is a much more accurate representa­tion of the automobile's use and need for service than the odometer. Automobile manufacturers recognize the limitations of the odometer in their instructions to owners. Typically the owner will be instructed to have the automobile serviced at a given mileage or time, whichever comes first, unless the automobile is subjected to heavy duty operation involving continu­ous stop-and-go or prolonged idling in which case it should be serviced more frequently. The computer is programmed to fit these instructions. It will not only take account of hard use, but will also recognize light-use and modest driving giving "more miles per serv­ice" to the owner.

The unit is designed to mount tinder the lower edge of the dashboard on any metal surface. It is located so that the face of the computer is visible to the driver when turning ignition switch, and mounting should preferably be under the ignition switch.

The Electronic Signal Maintenance Plan

In actual operation, the plan is quite simple, re­quiring nothing more than having the driver follow complete detailed instructions furnished when the computer is installed.

By following the scheduled services required by the manufacturer of the car, the Electronic Signal Main­tenance Plan provides unparalleled service and main­tenance through the facilities of a dealer of the driver's   own   choice.

All work must be done at authorized dealer service departments in the make of the ear being driven because the manufacturers will not recognize war­ranty work unless it is done by one of their own deal­ers. Warranty books are supplied with each car which   remain in the car at all times.

A Maintenance Plan booklet is furnished the fleet ear driver when the computer is installed. The driver is cautioned that it is important that the maintenance schedules outlined in the booklet are followed exact­ly. Each service coupon lists the operations to be done at each interval. There are four such main­tenance service operations, each due when the elec­tronic signal flashes its light which indicates that a servicing must be performed.