Shop manual for the Aptera

[DavidHoff]

All,
An additional thing I would like to see is the ability to buy a shop manual for the Aptera. I don't mean the filmsy thing that fits in the glove box either. A real one that breaks down all repairs and replacements. I am hoping maintenance will be minor, but things like brakes and belts, I would like to replace myself. Also, I am wondering if there is a diagnostics plug in for a compter to diagnose the electronics system. Maybe this program could be a CD sold to owners allowing them to do some of their own work? I am not sure if Aptera will try to build the model of sell them the car and then make money on the repairs/service end of the equation, but for me, I would like to do some of my own work.

Thoughs?
Enjoy,
Dave

[Prestadude]

Forget the CD. I want all the Aptera documentation pre-loaded into the StreetDeck center console so I can view it in the vehicle. OK, we will also need a hard copy tucked away somewhere just in case the electronics fail. Of course, we would also have access to the same files over the Internet to study the intricacies of the Aptera with a cup of coffee at our computer station.

[3-4-me]

Forget the CD. I want all the Aptera documentation pre-loaded into the StreetDeck center console so I can view it in the vehicle. OK, we will also need a hard copy tucked away somewhere just in case the electronics fail. Of course, we would also have access to the same files over the Internet to study the intricacies of the Aptera with a cup of coffee at our computer station.
That's what I picture too.

[pk-sd]

How about being able to connect to the Internet wirelessly and run a diagnostic with their latest software on the website.

Also this wireless connection can update GPS maps and latest POIs.

[onugs]

How about being able to connect to the Internet wirelessly and run a diagnostic with their latest software on the website.

Also this wireless connection can update GPS maps and latest POIs.
SWEET! I love it!

[KarenRei]

I definitely hope they release a shop manual in some form or another. Not for me, but for our mechanic. I don't live anywhere near Cali, so we'll need to do the "normal" maintenance ourselves.

[Chupacabra]

How about being able to connect to the Internet wirelessly and run a diagnostic with their latest software on the website.

Also this wireless connection can update GPS maps and latest POIs.

That would be an incredible idea.. no need to drive in to have them connect some clunky computer to figure out whats wrong. Better yet why not just have the Aptera TELL YOU on your screen?

[davidrools]

I read that the onboard computer will have diagnostic functions built in. Here's a quick list of what I see might be normal maintenance on an aptera 1e (1h would require typical combusion engine maintenance on the generator):

-hydraulic brakes: pads, rotors, bleeding fluid (very rare, maybe never needed due to the combination of light weight and regen braking taking some load off the mechanical braking system. this might only need to be performed every 50k.
-cabin air filters
-tires
-main drive belt tensioning/replacement
-washer fluid? and wiper blades
-headlamps
-motor cleaning/lube

and replaceable/maintenance parts that will probably never need to be replaced:
-suspension dampers
-LED lamps
-wheel bearings
-motor brushes?
-electrical/wiring issues
-damaged suspension arms/body panels

From what I can imagine, the typ-1e might very not need any maintenance in the traditional sense. It's possible that you could drive it for 5 years without needing to bring it in. Of course, they'll probably recommend that it be brought in and inspected for damage or evidence of components that are about to fail.

[KarenRei]

AFAIK, it's a brushless motor.

The heat pump and fans for the AC/heating is another item with a low but finite chance of failure. Anything electronic has a low but finite chance of burning out. So, cameras, the display, the StreetDeck hardware, the stereo system, the charger, any battery pack circuitry, and so on. Also, the battery pack is not immune to defects or wear. A123 rates theirs, for example, for 10+ years and 7000+ cycles. But that's still finite. I've seen some calculations that say a good lithium phosphate pack would have only 20% degradation after 15 years of typical use, but I'm not sure how accurate that is. Anyways, the extra upside to such a long lifespan is that the batteries should be cheaper by the time they need to be replaced (if they need to be replaced at all), and higher energy density batteries should be out by then, too.

[azg00]

SWEET! I love it!

I work at a wireless equipment manufacturer (I'm talking about the Wifi, 802.11 flavor of wireless here) and it would be trivial for us (or any other wireless outfit) to provide a connection...IF Aptera provides a connector, such as an Ethernet port. I'm imagining that you would drive into range of an Access Point, like at home, and the car would "call home", i.e. Aptera, periodically.

[Chupacabra]

Would it be too big brotherish if you could set your Aptera to call home periodically to do diagnoses on the go? Some mechanical issues get worse as the problem goes unnoticed; think how great it'd be to have a smart car that alerted you right away...

[pk-sd]

Would it be too big brotherish if you could set your Aptera to call home periodically to do diagnoses on the go? Some mechanical issues get worse as the problem goes unnoticed; think how great it'd be to have a smart car that alerted you right away...

I thing they already do that.:eek:



http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:_xMimnjl8opW5M:http://beancounterblog.com/wp-content/images/checkenginelight.jpg

[azg00]

Clearly the Check Engine light is the on-board indication that there is some problem. IMHO, there is also a place for the "check back with HQ" function. This "call home" can serve a number of purposes:
1) Provide a diagnosis regarding what to do about the Check Engine light. It is typical that the onboard diagnosis (OBD) system will only know how to compare "normal readings" with the current state of the car. Note that this does not indicate what to do to fix the problem. The "what to do" is usually kept in a central database that contains the accumulated knowledge.
2) Update various onboard databases, such as GPS maps, etc
3) Provide feedback to Aptera regarding actual usage of the car, such as average time between charges, average trip time, etc.
4) Some of things...TBD

[pk-sd]

"Check Engine Light" was meant to be a joke.;) :)

[azg00]

Joke or not...its the right idea. I expect some sort of onboard indication (Check Engine icon...or something equivalent) that the car has a problem.

[LQUAN]

"Check Engine Light" was meant to be a joke.;) :)

You got the right idea about those Check Engine Lights. They are as valuable as those valve dust caps on your tires. :p

[azg00]

Okay, so the "Check Engine" light has a lot of history.

Does anyone have an idea of what Aptera should use for an icon when there is a problem with the car?

As a starter, how about one of the smiley-face icons in this dialog?
:) Goodness
:( Pending badness
:eek: Really bad

[garygid]

The smaller User Manual should at least cover checking
air pressure on these "low rolling resistance" tires.
Do the front wheel skirts obstruct access to the air stem?

I am #1707 in line, and am willing to work on
the User, Service, Shop, and Repair manuals.

Great Forum!
Cheers, Gary

[pk-sd]

I am #1707 in line,


Welcome to the forum Gary. When did you make your reservation ?

PK

[KarenRei]

Wow, they're over 1700 already? Those reservations are ticking up :)

As for what icons they use, I'd love to see it be something like my "Today's Terrorist Threat" display on my wall at my office. It's a parody of the color coded terrorist threat alert system that goes green (no threat), blue, yellow, orange, and red (immediate threat). They're all based on smiley faces that get progressively more and more frightened and concerned. The green smiley face is mocked up to look like a flying pig. The red smiley face is staring up as though something is heading right toward it, screaming, and stamped in huge letters across the whole page is the word, "PANIC!!!"

I'm not as bad about displays that look like they were designed by Captain Obvious as a lot of people are. If I was upside down in a ditch, I wouldn't mind the display flashing, "You are not on the road!" and "Car is upside down. Please right it before driving." Just so long as the car doesn't talk -- "The door is ajar! The door is ajar! The door is ajar!..."