LIVING HEALTH RECORD SPECIFICATION
===================================
Vehicle health inspection format for Glovebox beta

PURPOSE
-------
A standardized format for capturing and displaying vehicle inspection data from shops.
Designed for consumer understanding with progressive disclosure (summary → details → tech notes).


CORE INSPECTION ITEMS (29 total)
================================

BRAKES
------
1. Front Brake Pads
   - Measurement: mm thickness
   - Green: >5mm
   - Yellow: 3-5mm
   - Red: <3mm

2. Rear Brake Pads
   - Measurement: mm thickness
   - Green: >5mm
   - Yellow: 3-5mm
   - Red: <3mm

3. Front Rotors
   - Measurement: status (can include mm thickness)
   - Green: Smooth, within spec
   - Yellow: Scored, light grooves
   - Red: Warped, deeply grooved, below minimum

4. Rear Rotors
   - Measurement: status (can include mm thickness)
   - Green: Smooth, within spec
   - Yellow: Scored, light grooves
   - Red: Warped, deeply grooved, below minimum


TIRES
-----
5-8. Tire Tread (LF, RF, LR, RR)
   - Measurement: 32nds inch
   - Green: >6/32"
   - Yellow: 4-6/32"
   - Red: <4/32"

9-12. Tire Pressure (LF, RF, LR, RR)
   - Measurement: PSI
   - Green: At spec
   - Yellow: +/- 5 PSI
   - Red: >10 PSI off

13-16. Tire Age (LF, RF, LR, RR)
   - Measurement: years (from DOT code)
   - Green: <6 years
   - Yellow: 6-8 years
   - Red: >8 years


FLUIDS
------
17. Engine Oil
   - Measurement: status
   - Green: OK (full, clean, proper color)
   - Yellow: Monitor (low, dark, due soon)
   - Red: Service Required (very low, black, sludge, contaminated)

18. Brake Fluid
   - Measurement: status
   - Green: OK (full, clear)
   - Yellow: Monitor (low, dark, due for flush)
   - Red: Service Required (very low, contaminated, moisture)

19. Coolant
   - Measurement: status
   - Green: OK (full, proper color)
   - Yellow: Monitor (low, discolored)
   - Red: Service Required (very low, rusty, milky, contaminated)

20. Transmission Fluid
   - Measurement: status
   - Green: OK (full, red/pink, clean)
   - Yellow: Monitor (low, dark, brown)
   - Red: Service Required (very low, burnt, black, metal particles)

21. Power Steering Fluid
   - Measurement: status
   - Green: OK (full, clean)
   - Yellow: Monitor (low, dark)
   - Red: Service Required (very low, contaminated, foamy)


FILTERS
-------
22. Engine Air Filter
   - Measurement: status
   - Green: OK (clean, white/light)
   - Yellow: Monitor (dirty, dusty, gray)
   - Red: Service Required (very dirty, clogged, restricted)

23. Cabin Air Filter
   - Measurement: status
   - Green: OK (clean)
   - Yellow: Monitor (dirty, debris)
   - Red: Service Required (very dirty, clogged, moldy)


BATTERY
-------
24. Battery Voltage
   - Measurement: volts
   - Green: >12.4V
   - Yellow: 12.0-12.4V
   - Red: <12.0V

25. Battery CCA (Cold Cranking Amps)
   - Measurement: % of rated capacity
   - Green: >80%
   - Yellow: 50-80%
   - Red: <50%

26. Battery Age
   - Measurement: months
   - Green: <48 months
   - Yellow: 48-60 months
   - Red: >60 months


UNDER HOOD
----------
27. Belts
   - Measurement: status
   - Green: OK (no cracks, proper tension)
   - Yellow: Monitor (cracked, worn, glazed, chirping)
   - Red: Service Required (squealing, chunks missing, slipping)

28. Hoses
   - Measurement: status
   - Green: OK (firm, no leaks)
   - Yellow: Monitor (soft, surface cracks, bulging)
   - Red: Service Required (leaking, cracked, collapsed)

29. Leaks
   - Measurement: status
   - Green: OK (dry, no leaks)
   - Yellow: Monitor (seep, weep, moisture, staining - NOT dripping)
   - Red: Service Required (leak, drip, active leak, puddle)

30. Radiator/Cooling System
   - Measurement: status
   - Green: OK (no leaks, fins clear, fan works)
   - Yellow: Monitor (minor damage, bent fins, weep hole damp)
   - Red: Service Required (leaking, cracked, fan inop, overheating)

31. Under Hood Other
   - Measurement: status + notes
   - Captures miscellaneous findings (missing bolts, broken clips, aftermarket parts, etc.)


UNDERCARRIAGE
-------------
32. Suspension
   - Measurement: status
   - Green: OK (tight, no play, no leaks)
   - Yellow: Monitor (worn, some play, creak)
   - Red: Service Required (clunking, excessive play, bottoming out)

33. Steering
   - Measurement: status
   - Green: OK (tight, responsive, no play)
   - Yellow: Monitor (some play, slight pull)
   - Red: Service Required (loose, wandering, pulls hard, shimmy)

34. Driveshaft
   - Measurement: status
   - Green: OK (no play, tight)
   - Yellow: Monitor (some play, slight vibration)
   - Red: Service Required (loose, clunk, vibration)

35. Axles
   - Measurement: status
   - Green: OK (boots intact, no play)
   - Yellow: Monitor (boot cracked, minor leak)
   - Red: Service Required (boot torn, clicking, leaking grease)

36. Exhaust
   - Measurement: status
   - Green: OK (no leaks, quiet, secure)
   - Yellow: Monitor (minor rust, tick)
   - Red: Service Required (loud, hole, hanging, fumes in cabin)

37. Brake Hoses
   - Measurement: status
   - Green: OK (firm, no leaks)
   - Yellow: Monitor (surface cracks, aging)
   - Red: Service Required (leaking, swelling, cracked)

38. Undercarriage Other
   - Measurement: status + notes
   - Captures miscellaneous findings (splash shields, frame rust, impact damage, etc.)


VISIBILITY
----------
39. Wiper Blades
   - Measurement: status
   - Green: OK (clean wipe, no streaks)
   - Yellow: Monitor (streaking, chattering)
   - Red: Service Required (torn, cracked, not clearing)

40. Lights
   - Measurement: status
   - Green: OK (all working)
   - Yellow: Monitor (dim, foggy lenses, intermittent)
   - Red: Service Required (out, burnt out, not working)


DATA SCHEMA
===========

{
  "vin": "1HGCV1F34KA012345",
  "lastInspectionDate": "2026-01-15",
  "odometerAtInspection": 47823,
  "inspectingShop": "Main Street Auto",

  "brakes": {
    "frontPads": { "mm": 7, "status": "ok" },
    "rearPads": { "mm": 4, "status": "monitor" },
    "frontRotors": { "mm": 28, "minSpec": 25, "status": "ok" },
    "rearRotors": { "mm": 10, "minSpec": 9, "status": "monitor", "notes": "light scoring" }
  },

  "tires": {
    "lf": { "tread32nds": 7, "pressurePsi": 32, "dotCode": "2419", "ageYears": 6 },
    "rf": { "tread32nds": 6, "pressurePsi": 33, "dotCode": "2419", "ageYears": 6 },
    "lr": { "tread32nds": 5, "pressurePsi": 32, "dotCode": "2419", "ageYears": 6 },
    "rr": { "tread32nds": 5, "pressurePsi": 32, "dotCode": "2419", "ageYears": 6 },
    "recommendedPsi": 32
  },

  "fluids": {
    "oil": { "status": "ok" },
    "brake": { "status": "ok" },
    "coolant": { "status": "monitor" },
    "transmission": { "status": "ok" },
    "powerSteering": { "status": "ok" }
  },

  "filters": {
    "engineAir": { "status": "monitor" },
    "cabinAir": { "status": "service_required" }
  },

  "battery": {
    "voltage": 12.6,
    "ccaPercent": 92,
    "ageMonths": 36
  },

  "underHood": {
    "belts": { "status": "ok" },
    "hoses": { "status": "ok" },
    "leaks": { "status": "ok" },
    "radiator": { "status": "ok" },
    "other": { "status": "monitor", "notes": ["missing bolt on air box"] }
  },

  "undercarriage": {
    "suspension": { "status": "ok" },
    "steering": { "status": "ok" },
    "driveshaft": { "status": "ok" },
    "axles": { "status": "monitor" },
    "exhaust": { "status": "ok" },
    "brakeHoses": { "status": "ok" },
    "other": { "status": "ok", "notes": [] }
  },

  "visibility": {
    "wiperBlades": { "status": "ok" },
    "lights": { "status": "ok" }
  },

  "overallHealth": "fair",
  "attentionItems": [
    { "item": "Cabin Air Filter", "status": "service_required" },
    { "item": "Coolant", "status": "monitor" },
    { "item": "Rear Rotors", "status": "monitor", "notes": "light scoring" },
    { "item": "Rear Brake Pads", "status": "monitor" },
    { "item": "Axles", "status": "monitor" }
  ]
}


TIRE AGE EDUCATION
==================
Tire age is tracked via the DOT code on the sidewall. The last 4 digits indicate
week and year of manufacture. Example: "2419" = Week 24 of 2019.

Why Tire Age Matters:
- Tires degrade over time due to environmental factors, even when not in use
- Rubber compounds break down, leading to dry rot and cracking
- Industry guidelines (NHTSA, tire manufacturers):
  - Inspect annually after 5 years of service
  - 6-10 years is typical service life range
  - Actual condition depends on wear, storage, and climate

Display Approach:
- Show age in years with DOT code reference
- Visual timeline showing where tire falls on 0-10 year spectrum
- Educational "Learn more" content explaining why age matters
- Always defer to shop for actual condition assessment


DISPLAY PRINCIPLES
==================

1. PROGRESSIVE DISCLOSURE
   The Core Idea: Users should feel confident about their vehicle's health at a glance,
   without being overwhelmed by technical details. Details are available on-demand.

   Level 1: Category Summary (Default View)
   - User sees list of categories (Brakes, Fluids, Tires, etc.)
   - Each category shows high-level status:
     - "All OK" (green) - Everything in this category is green
     - "X items to monitor" (yellow) - Some items need attention soon
     - "X needs service" (red) - At least one item requires action
   - Answers "do I need to worry about anything?" in 2 seconds

   Level 2: Item List (Category Expanded)
   - Tap category to see all items within it
   - Each item shows: name, status value, color
   - Example: "Front Pads: 7mm (green)", "Rear Pads: 4mm (yellow)"

   Level 3: Technician Notes (Item Expanded)
   - Tap item to see raw technician notes
   - Shows exactly what technician observed/measured
   - Includes inspector name and shop
   - "Show me exactly what they found" layer

2. STATUS COLORS
   - Green = OK, no action needed
   - Yellow = Monitor, may need attention soon
   - Red = Service Required, needs action
   - Based on industry-standard DVI (Digital Vehicle Inspection) colors

3. NO DIRECT RECOMMENDATIONS
   - We state facts and cite industry sources
   - Actual service recommendations come from the shop
   - Example: "6 years old. Industry guidelines suggest inspection after 5 years."
   - Builds trust by being informative without being prescriptive

4. TECHNICIAN NOTES
   - Show the raw notes from the inspection
   - Include inspector name and shop
   - Builds trust through transparency
   - Differentiates us from black-box "your car needs X" apps


USER PSYCHOLOGY
===============

Confidence Without Overload
- Most users don't want to read 29 inspection items
- They want to know: "Is my car okay?"
- Category summary answers that question in 2 seconds
- Power users can dig deeper into details

Actionable, Not Alarming
- Yellow items should feel like "something to keep an eye on" - not scary
- Red items are "you should handle this soon"
- Language should be specific enough to act on, without being alarmist
- Avoid fear-based messaging

Trust Through Transparency
- Showing actual technician notes builds trust
- Users can see exact language the shop used
- Can verify measurements and understand context
- Differentiates from apps that just say "your car needs X" with no explanation


IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
===========================

Data Model Extensions
- Each item needs optional techNotes field:
  - techNotes.raw - Original text from shop's inspection report
  - techNotes.inspectedBy - Technician name (if available)
  - techNotes.shopName - Shop that performed the inspection

Category Aggregation Logic
- Category status badge priority:
  1. If ANY item is "service_required" → Show "X needs service" (red)
  2. Else if ANY item is "monitor" → Show "X items to monitor" (yellow)
  3. Else → Show "All OK" (green)

Empty State Handling
- If item has no technician notes, show placeholder:
  - "No additional notes from this inspection"
  - Still show inspector/shop if available


ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
==========================
- Don't rely on color alone - always include text status ("OK", "Monitor", "Service Required")
- Expandable sections need proper aria-expanded attributes
- Screen readers should announce category name AND status together
- Ensure sufficient color contrast (yellow on dark backgrounds needs attention)
- Tap targets should be large enough for mobile (minimum 44px height)


DESIGN DECISION: HANDLING MISSING DATA
======================================

When we only have partial inspection data (e.g., brakes and tires but not fluids):

OPTION A: Only Show What We Have
- Only display categories with data
- Pros: Clean, focused, builds confidence in what IS shown
- Cons: User doesn't know what COULD be shown, may wonder "did they check my battery?"

OPTION B: Show Everything with "Not Inspected"
- Always show all categories, mark empty ones as "Not inspected"
- Pros: Transparent about gaps, shows full inspection capability
- Cons: Looks incomplete, may undermine confidence

OPTION C: Hybrid (Recommended)
- Show all categories
- Auto-expand categories WITH data
- Collapse categories without data, show "Not inspected" in gray
- User can tap empty categories to see what COULD be there
- Pros: Focus on what we have while showing scope
- Cons: Slightly more complex

DECISION NEEDED: Which approach for beta?


FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
=====================

1. History View
   - Users should see how an item changed over time
   - Example: "Rear brakes went from 7mm → 5mm → 4mm over 3 inspections"
   - Requires storing historical snapshots per VIN

2. Comparison to Industry Standards
   - Show where user's measurement falls on a visual spectrum
   - Example: Tire age bar showing 6 years on a 0-10 year scale with color zones
   - Provides context without being prescriptive

3. Push Notifications
   - Alert when new inspection comes in
   - Especially notify if status changed (green → yellow, or yellow → red)
   - Keep user informed without requiring them to check

4. Quick Actions
   - On items needing attention, offer "Schedule Service" button
   - Pre-fills the issue into a service request
   - Routes to the shop that performed the inspection

5. Shop Integration
   - Link back to shop for follow-up questions
   - Easy re-booking for recommended services
   - Maintain shop-customer relationship


---
Living Health Record Spec v1.0
Piston Labs / Glovebox Beta
February 2026