"Lifetime Operating Timer at Event Time Zero (sec)"

[mcretu]

Hi there, I'm an attorney working on a case involving a car accident. I have the CDR report from Bosch, but am (admittedly) a complete novice in this arena. It's my understanding that the report does not indicate the date/time of the "non-deployment event." However, it does give a number (in seconds) for the "lifetime operating at event time zero." I'm trying to figure out what that number means. Can anybody help explain it to me? (P.S. If I should post this question in another forum, please just let me know.)

[Bob Anderson]

Hi Mary,

With the exception of some of the newest cars, in general automobiles do not know what day or time it is.

Most automobiles keep "time" in terms of the number of times the vehicle is powered up and down (ignition cycles) or odometer reading.

The number of seconds the vehicle has been powered up is what is known as the Lifetime Operating Timer. If the Lifetime Operating Timer at download is recorded, that information can be used to evaluate the relatedness of the recorded data to the crash of interest, as can ignition cycles and odometer readings, if those parameters are reported.

[mcretu]

Thank you, Bob--that makes sense now. I appreciate it!

[DPatrickRyan]

You know the saying about the person who acts as his own lawyer? Well, it applies at least as well to acting as your own crash expert... You need to hire someone competent to assist in interpreting that kind of data.