Tap on any of the following questions to see the corresponding answer...
-
I have my records in a CSV file exported from Excel or some other software/application that I would
like to bring them to aCar. What should I do?
Go to Import/Export Center and scroll down to Import block. If the software/application is already
listed there, tap on the corresponding icon to import your records. Otherwise tap on Plain CSV
(Excel/Office) icon.
Plain CSV Import will provide you a dynamic column-field mapping tool to import any kind of
standard CSV file you have, but please make sure to read the help and usage tips available on that
screen to have a successful import.
-
What fields/columns does aCar import from via Plain CSV Import screen?
All of the input fields (NOT the calculated ones) you see in aCar can be mapped and imported using
the dynamic column-field mapping tool on Plain CSV Import screen.
-
Where does aCar expect to find the CSV files to import from?
The CSV files must be stored in zonewalker-acar directory on the SD-Card of your phone/tablet
(or on the internal storage if it doesn't have any SD-Card).
-
I have already taken a backup of my data (or exported them), but I don't know where the files are stored!
They are all stored in zonewalker-acar directory on the SD-Card of your phone/tablet
(or on the internal storage if it doesn't have any SD-Card).
-
While my backups or CSV exported files exist in the right directory on my SD-Card, aCar
does not see of them to restore or import from!
Make sure your SD-Card is NOT mounted on your computer while running aCar. If you don't know what
this means, just make sure your phone/tablet is NOT connected to your computer.
-
How do I move to a new phone or tablet?
If you're using the Pro edition:
- Launch aCar on your old phone/tablet.
- Go to Import/Export Center and take a full backup of your data.
- Connect your old phone/tablet to your computer and copy the content of following directory
from your old SD-Card (or the internal storage of your phone/tablet if it doesn't have any SD-Card)
to the new one:
/zonewalker-acar/*.abp
- Install aCar on your new phone/tablet, and launch it.
- You will get the auto restore dialog right after the launch.
- Choose the backup file you're going to restore from and DONE!
- Upgrade to Pro on your new phone/tablet.
- If you somehow manage to miss the auto restore dialog, just go to Import/Export Center
and manually restore your backup from there.
- If everything went fine on your new phone/tablet, it's safe to uninstall aCar from the old one.
If you're using the free edition:
- Connect your old phone/tablet to your computer and copy the content of following directory,
where your automatic backup files are stored, from your old SD-Card (or the internal storage of your
phone/tablet if it doesn't have any SD-Card) to the new one:
/zonewalker-acar/*.abp
- Install aCar on your new phone/tablet, and launch it.
- You will get the auto restore dialog right after the launch.
- Choose the backup file you're going to restore from and DONE!
- If everything went fine on your new phone/tablet, it's safe to uninstall aCar from the old one.
-
My phone/tablet comes with internal storage only and it doesn't have any SD-Card.
Where should I copy my backups (from my old phone/tablet) to restore my data from?
You should copy your backup files to zonewalker-acar directory on the internal storage of
your phone/tablet.
-
I have taken backup of my data (or exported my data) and have sent it to my Dropbox, Google Drive or e-mail box.
How can I tell aCar to access that file to restore/import it again?
There isn't any direct mechanism for aCar to access your Dropbox, Google Drive or email box.
You should manually copy that file to zonewalker-acar directory on your SD-Card or on the
internal storage of your phone/tablet. That's where aCar expects to find the files to restore or import from.
-
Why doesn't the last fill-up record have any Fuel Efficiency (MPG) assigned to it?
The main reason is that the Fuel Efficiency Calculation method is set to assign the Fuel Efficiency
to the previous fill-up record. You can go to app Settings and change the Fuel Efficiency Calculation
method to Current Record.
The other reason could be that the last fill-up record is marked as partial.
-
Why don't I see any fuel efficiency while I've entered a couple of fill-up records?
Each partial fill-up or a group of continuous partial fill-ups must be surrounded with two FULL TANK
fill-up records (non partial and non missed-fillups). Fuel Efficiency calculation formula needs
FULL TANK records to function correctly. Moreover, any fill-up record marked as missed-fillups
breaks the continuity of the records and the fuel efficiency can not be calculated in such cases.
-
Why don't some of the stats on Statistics tab (Fill-Ups box) match the math on the Browse tab?
The total values you see on Browse tab are simply the sum of the corresponding values from displayed
records. But on Statistics tab the first ever fill-up might be excluded (thus causing a difference)
if you've chosen to set the calculated fuel efficiencies to the previous record. You can change this
on application Settings.
-
How is the total cost of a trip calculated?
Any expense record you enter between the start [odometer] and the end [odometer] of a trip will be
part of the total cost. Moreover, the average cost of fillups and services per distance unit
(e.g. mile) will be applied to the trip length and will be calculated as part of the total cost of that trip.
-
Why doesn't aCar allow me to enter my fill-up/service/expense record and warns that it's not in sync with sibling records?
All of the records must be kept in synced with each other and in order. For example if you have an
existing record dated on May 15, 2010 with odometer reading of 85,780mi, you can not enter a new
record dated on May 18, 2010 with odometer reading of 85,458mi. Nor you can enter May 11, 2010 and 85,994mi.
-
What is a partial fill-up and when should I mark my fill-up record as partial?
Partial is a marker to provide hint to fuel efficiency calculation process so that it knows how to
calculate. Partial means you have not fully filled your car tank regardless of how much of fuel
there has been before the fill-up. After the fill-up if the tank is full (okay! with some tolerance),
then it is a full tank fill-up otherwise it is partial.
-
When should I mark my fill-up record as Missed-FillUps and what is it for?
Missed-FillUps is a marker to provide hint to fuel efficiency calculation process on how to calculate
(it resets the statistics from that record and starts over). Missed-FillUps means there have been
some fill-ups which you have missed entering them before the current record (and you will never do).
-
How do I record my fill-ups, services and expenses during a trip?
Just start your trip record and continue recording your fill-ups, services and expenses like before.
Then finish your trip record (by entering the end odometer), go to Browse screen, find that trip
record and tap on it to view the details. Scroll down to end of the screen, and you'll find the
costs of that particular trip automatically calculated and listed there.
-
How do I edit the information of my vehicle(s)?
Select your desired vehicle at the top of the main screen. Then tap on icon at the right side of the
vehicle name to view its details. On the View Vehicle screen, tap on the top right corner MENU icon
and a context menu will be launched. Select the Edit option from that menu.
-
How do I delete a vehicle?
Select your desired vehicle at the top of the main screen. Then tap on icon at the right side of the
vehicle name to view its details. On the View Vehicle screen, tap on the top right corner MENU icon
and a context menu will be launched. Select the Delete option from that menu.
-
How do I edit my fill-up, service, expense or trip records?
Go to Browse screen, find your desired record and long press on it to get a context menu with Edit
option on it.
Alternatively, you can tap on your desired record on Browse screen to view its details,
then tap on the Edit icon at the top right corner to edit that record.
-
How do I edit or delete items from the following lists?
Payment Type, Fueling Station Brand/Address, Service Center Name/Address, Expense Center Name/Address,
Trip Purpose, Trip Client, Trip Location, Tags
There isn't any explicit list management facility. The lists are actually a compilation of your
previously entered values.
In order to edit an incorrect value or to delete a value, you should go to Browse screen,
find the corresponding records with those incorrect values and correct or delete the values.
The lists will be automatically updated.