A vehicle interlock is a device installed so that, when the driver takes a breath test, vehicle starting is controlled according to the result. The official package contents of the AF-i1 include a handset that measures the breath, a control box that serves as the central processing unit connected to the vehicle, a cable linking the two, installation wiring for the vehicle connection, and a handset holder. After installation, drivers and fleet managers should not only check that the device works, but also look at whether taking the handset out and putting it away from the driver's seat interferes with fastening the seat belt or getting in and out.
This check is not a procedure for users to move the holder or wiring themselves. It is a process of identifying, as concrete scenes, the discomfort that arises in the normal driving position, and passing it on so the installer can review it for the vehicle's conditions. The right holder position is judged not only by reach, but also by whether the display can be read, whether the handset is stored securely, and whether the cable catches on the body, clothes, or bags.
First distinguish the roles of the handset and the holder
The handset is the device the driver blows into for the test, and the holder is the part where the handset sits when not in use. The AF-i1 includes a handset holder as a component, but the fact that a holder is attached does not mean it has been placed properly for the driver's seat.
With the vehicle stationary, adjust the seat as usual and sit in the driver's seat. Check whether taking out and putting back the handset is overly awkward, and whether the handset's OLED display is hidden by the steering wheel or hard to read because of glare. Even if there is discomfort, do not remove the holder or pull the cable to change its position.
Break down the movements from getting in to getting out
Rather than judging vaguely that "it's awkward," checking in the order of actual actions makes clear what to tell the installer. In particular, fastening the seat belt and getting in and out are brief but repeated actions, so they are good for spotting cable interference.
| Scene to check | What to confirm while parked | What to note if there is a problem |
|---|---|---|
| Right after sitting in the driver's seat | Whether the display is hidden or reflects glare in the driving position | In which posture which part is hard to read |
| When taking out the handset | Whether it touches or catches on the arm, steering wheel, or seat belt | Positions hard to reach and the objects that interfere |
| When putting it back after use | Whether the handset sits securely in the holder | Any pulling or bending of the cable while putting it away |
| When getting in and out | Whether legs, clothes, or bags touch the handset or cable | What it touches when getting in and out through which door |
The cable is not just a part for making the interior look tidy. If it catches on your feet or clothes when getting in and out, or is pulled repeatedly every time you put the handset away, that is a reason to have the wiring checked. The locations of the vehicle's safety devices, interior panels, and electrical wiring are hard to judge from the outside, so the installer must check them.
Write down discomfort with both the place and the action
Saying only "the holder position is off" makes it hard to know what to review. It is better to write the place and the action together, for example: part of the display is hidden by the steering wheel when seated, the elbow touches the cable when fastening the seat belt, or a coat hem touches the stowed handset when getting out.
As a hypothetical example, imagine a situation in which, while parked, the driver's right arm touches the cable every time they put the handset back and then fasten the seat belt. Record the observation as "right arm repeatedly touches the cable when fastening the seat belt." This leads to the interpretation that there may be interference in the getting-ready movements, and the possible action is not for the driver to tie up or disconnect the cable, but to show that movement to the installer and ask them to check the wiring and holder position.
If adjustments are made, fasten the seat belt again in the same driving position and take out and put back the handset. If there is no cable interference, the handset can be stored securely, and the display can be read, the check for that item can be finished. When sending photos to describe the situation, narrow the frame so that information unrelated to the check, such as the license plate or people nearby, is not captured.
Separate display checks from actions while driving
The official AF-i1 information confirms that the handset has an OLED display. At installation handover, check whether the driver can read this display from their own driving position, and have the specific on-screen messages and operating sequence explained based on that product's user manual and the guidance provided at installation.
Do not deal with discomfort by holding the handset and moving it, or by continually looking at the display, while the vehicle is moving. If something about the device needs checking while driving, it is appropriate to first stop in a safe place and then check the guidance received at installation and the actual device instructions. This is also why the check of movements around the driver's seat must be completed while parked.
Recheck vehicles that several drivers will use
The installer's demonstration alone does not prove that every driver can use the device comfortably. If family members or several drivers use the same vehicle, each person likely to drive can try taking out and putting back the handset from their usual seating position. Different body sizes and seat positions can change how much the display is hidden and where the cable makes contact.
Do not record problems that remain after the check only as "check later." Organize in which seat position, during which action, and with which of the handset, holder, or cable the discomfort occurred, and pass this on to the installer. The standard for finishing the driver's seat movement and holder position after installation is to keep checking until, after the installer's review and adjustment, repeating the same movements causes no interference.
