National car care provider AAMCO released a mobile application that gives customers access to diagnostic tools and up-to-the-mile maintenance information at the touch of a button.

The iGAAUGE, among the first of its kind for a national car care provider, is available for the iPhone and iPod touch and can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store. It is free of charge for a limited time.

?AAMCO is always looking at ways to extend our brand and engage current and potential customers,? said Jack Bachinsky, vice president of marketing at AAMCO, Horsham, PA. "Mobile applications are a great way to reach and engage consumers, particularly the younger demographics of Millennials and Generation Y who are less familiar with AAMCO. 

?We feel the features of the iGAAUGE are extremely compelling and extend far beyond applications developed by our competitors, putting advanced diagnostic tools, GPS functionality and AAMCO offers right in the palm of your hand,? he said.

Exclusive offers delivered through the iGAAUGE offer an incentive to download the application and help generate leads and drive interest in AAMCO and its total car care services.

IGAAUGE provides a car?s maintenance schedule, troubleshoots car issues, provides traffic updates, locates the nearest gas station, contacts roadside assistance and connects users to the nearest AAMCO. Special AAMCO offers and coupons will be made available exclusively to iGAAUGE users via the application.

Qorvis Communications designed the application.

Within the application is the Troubleshooting Diagnostic Tool that walks drivers through a series of questions to identify the cause of dashboard indicator lights, unusual sounds or other causes of car trouble.

Roadside Assistance connects drivers with the nearest AAMCO dealer and tow service, if necessary.

The Maintenance Schedule lets car owners view a car?s routine and preventative maintenance schedules.

The Fuel Locator function, powered by GPS, identifies the closest gas stations. Additionally, the Traffic Finder tool can be used to identify traffic trouble spots and delays.

The Local AAMCO function is a map that identifies the closest AAMCO dealers. Application users can also use AAMCO Specials, which are deals exclusive to iGAAUGE users that can be used at local AAMCO dealers.

AAMCO has developed print and television advertising that mentions the iGAAUGE.

In-store posters will also be sent to dealers for display in their shops.

AAMCO will be engaging customers and leads through direct marketing outreach to alert them about the application and encourage downloads.

The company is also participating in social media vehicles such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter and are using those platforms to engage consumers.

?AAMCO continues to have strong brand recognition across the baby-boomer generation as a result of TV-heavy advertising of the previous decades,? Mr. Bachinsky said. ?However, the younger demographic of Generation Y and Millennials are less familiar with AAMCO.

?As mobile devices are ubiquitous with younger consumers, an application such as the iGAAUGE is a great way to reach this demographic and alert them to AAMCO?s total car care services,? he said.

Dan Butcher contributed reporting to this story.