Vehicle maintenance identification apparatus

Abstract

The invention described and claimed in this application is for a fluid drip, tire tread, tire pressure, and foreign exhaust identification apparatus for a vehicle and the like. The inventive device includes a mat with stenciled regions drawn on the mat that identify various vehicle systems, which is placed beneath a vehicle, whereby each region defines a receiving area for identifying fluid drips, particulate, or excessive emissions from a vehicle system and a tire platform comprised of a deformable material for measuring the tire pressure and tread depth.

1 . A vehicle maintenance apparatus, comprising: 
 a mat;    said mat configured for placement beneath a vehicle;    means associated with said mat for receiving a material exuded by a vehicle system and identifying the vehicle system from which said material is exuded; and    wherein said mat has a deformable planar surface on which a vehicle wheel can be positioned.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as recited in claim  13 , wherein said deformable planar surface is configured for identifying tire tread depth.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as recited in claim  14 , wherein positioning a vehicle tire on said deformable planar surface imprints said tire tread into said deformable planar surface.  
   
   
       4 . A vehicle maintenance apparatus, comprising: 
 a mat;    said mat configured for placement beneath a vehicle;    said mat having a stenciled region correlating to a vehicle system;    wherein said stenciled region defines an area for receiving and identifying a material exuded from said vehicle system; and    wherein said mat has a deformable planar surface on which a vehicle wheel can be positioned.    
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said deformable planar surface is configured for identifying tire tread depth.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein positioning a vehicle tire on said deformable planar surface imprints said tire tread into said deformable planar surface.  
   
   
       7 . A method for monitoring tire tread wear, comprising: 
 providing a mat;    said mat having a deformable planar surface on which a vehicle wheel can be positioned;    wherein positioning a vehicle tire on said deformable planar surface imprints said tire tread into said deformable planar surface;    positioning a vehicle tire on said deformable planar surface;    removing said vehicle tire from said deformable planer surface; and    determining tread depth from said imprint.    
   
   
       8 . A method for monitoring tire pressure, comprising: 
 providing a mat;    said mat having a deformable planar surface on which a vehicle wheel can be positioned;    wherein positioning a vehicle tire on said deformable planar surface imprints said tire tread into said deformable planar surface;    positioning a vehicle tire on said deformable planar surface;    removing said vehicle tire from said deformable planer surface; and    determining tire pressure from said imprint.