Pro & Upgrading to Pro

• What features will I get by upgrading to Pro?
  For a complete list of Pro features please refer to Upgrade to Pro! screen (on this app), or alternatively to aCar website.
• How should I upgrade to Pro?
  Refer to Upgrade to Pro! screen (on this app) to find out how to upgrade.
• I am a donor via the old PayPal system but I've forgot my Donation ID and can not upgrade to Pro! How do I retrieve it?
  Go to Upgrade to Pro! screen. It has a facility to help you to retrieve your Donation ID. Tap on I am a donor button and select I want to use the old registration system option. Notice the I've forgot my Donation ID button there.

Import/Export & Backup/Restore

• 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:

  1. Launch aCar on your old phone/tablet.
  2. Go to Import/Export Center and take a full backup of your data.
  3. 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
  4. Install aCar on your new phone/tablet, and launch it.
  5. You will get the auto restore dialog right after the launch.
  6. Choose the backup file you're going to restore from and DONE!
  7. Upgrade to Pro on your new phone/tablet.
  8. If you somehow manage to miss the auto restore dialog, just go to Import/Export Center and manually restore your backup from there.
  9. 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:

  1. 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
  2. Install aCar on your new phone/tablet, and launch it.
  3. You will get the auto restore dialog right after the launch.
  4. Choose the backup file you're going to restore from and DONE!
  5. 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.

Calculations & Statistics

• 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.

Data Entry

• 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.

Data Manipulation: Edit & Delete

• 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.

Customization

• How do I edit/customize the service reminders for a particular vehicle?
  Tap on the Reminders icon on the main screen. Then select your desired vehicle on Reminders Center screen and tap on the EDIT icon to customize the service reminders for that vehicle.
• I'm looking for a service, expense, fuel type or trip type that I can not find it in the built-in list. How can I add it?
  Go to Advanced Dashboard screen and tap on Services, Expenses, Fuel Types or Trip Types icon. You'll see a big PLUS icon at the top right corner. Tap on it to add whatever custom type you need. Moreover, you can tap on any existing item there to edit it.

Widgets

• I want to put an aCar Widget on my home screen but I don't find any of the aCar Widgets in the widgets list!
  Perhaps you've moved aCar to the SD-Card of your phone/tablet. Widgets are only available when aCar is installed on the internal memory of your phone/tablet and NOT on the SD-Card.
• I've been using an aCar Widget on my home screen but suddenly it has disappeared!
  Either you've uninstalled aCar or you've moved it to the SD-Card of your phone/tablet. Widgets are only available when aCar is installed on the internal memory of your phone/tablet and NOT on the SD-Card.

Supported Platforms

• What mobile platforms is aCar app available on?
  aCar is currently available on Android (2.1+), Amazon Kindle Fire and BlackBerry (10+) platforms and devices. You can download it from Google Play Store, Amazon Appstore and BlackBerry World.
• Is there any plan to port aCar to another platforms (iOS/iPhone, Windows, etc)?
  Porting to other platforms has always been in our long term plan. We have an eye on that and we will definitely do it whenever we get the time and resource.
• I want to access/modify my data on my computer or on the web. Is there any website or PC support?
  Website integration (so that you can access your data on the web and on your PC) has not been implemented yet but it's already part of the long-term plan. It's one of the most frequently requested features and it will be definitely implemented.

New Features & Improvements

• I have more than one mobile device and I want keep my data synchronized across all of them. Is there any synchronization support?
  Online data synchronization is not supported but we're currently working on an online data synchronization and backup solution. Though it's far from a final release yet. You will get the announcement when it's ready!
• Is there any plan for supporting hour-based engines?
  Yes, we have that feature in our to-do list and will implement it in a future version.
• Is there any plan for supporting bi-fuel vehicles?
  Yes, we have that feature in our to-do list and will implement it in a future version.

Misc.

• I've already sold my vehicle and I don't want to receive any more reminders for that vehicle!
  You can retire that vehicle, and here is how:
  
  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 Retire option from that menu.
• Why don't I see any active service reminders (at Reminders Center) while I have already set them up for my vehicle?
  You should have at least one service record for the service types that you would like aCar to remind and track them for you. This gives hint to aCar that you are interested for those particular service types. There are tens of services (thus reminders) setup for your vehicles and it's not logical to track them all while you might not be interested in many of them.
• I've already upgraded to Pro but I can not find the option to change the language/locale!
  1. Make sure that aCar supports your desired language. You can check the website to see what languages are currently supported.
  2. Go to your phone/tablet Settings and change the language from there. aCar uses the current language set on your phone/tablet.