BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION The motor vehicle industry today has three types of fuel, namely, diesel, leaded and unleaded fuel. It is important that the correct type of fuel is used when refueling a vehicle. However, as a result of the different types of fuel available it still happens that the incorrect fuel is used when re-fueling a vehicle especially when a third party using the motor vehicle has to refuel it or the refueling of the motor vehicle is done by a third party such as an attendant. If the wrong type of fuel has been used to refuel a vehicle, such fuel will have to be drained by cleaning the fuel lines and petrol tank. The wrong type of fuel may also cause damage to the engine of the motor vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention there is provided an indicator device comprising an activator being located in close proximity to the fuel flap of a vehicle for activating a signal generator to activate an indicator to provide an indication of the type of fuel the vehicle uses.

There is provided for the activator to be located behind the fuel flap or fuel cap of a motor vehicle ; Alternatively, for the activator to be located in close proximity or to be associated with the fuel cap on the fuel inlet pipe of a motor vehicle.

There is provided for the activator to be a micro switch which is activated upon opening of the fuel flap of the motor vehicle ; alternatively, for the activator to be a light sensitive device such as a light sensitive resistor or light sensitive

switch which activates upon the opening of the fuel flap when light falls on a fuel inlet panel arch behind the fuel flap.

The activator may also be located in close proximity to the fuel inlet pipe of the motor vehicle.

A further feature of the invention provides for the warning signal generator to be a computing means arranged to activate the indicator upon activation of the activator.

A still further feature of the invention provides for the indicator to be an audio indicator; alternatively, for the indicator to be a visual indicator such as a light or a number of lights.

There is yet further provided for the audio indicator to be a speaker for transmitting a voice message.

These and other features of the invention are described in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of example only, and by way of the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 shows a side view of a motor vehicle including an indicator device; Figure 2 shows an open fuel flap over a fuel inlet pipe and fuel inlet panel arch of the motor vehicle of figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a schematic block diagram of an indicator device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With reference to the drawings, in which like features are indicated by like numerals, an indicator device is generally indicated by reference number 10.

The indicator device 10 includes an activator in the form of a light sensitive switch such as a light activated diode or transistor or a light sensitive resistor which is located on the outside of a fuel inlet panel arch 5 behind a fuel in let flap 4 of a motor vehicle.

The indicator device further includes a warning or indicator signal generator in the form of computing means 10, as is known in the art. The computing means 10 is connected or includes a random access memory or read only memory for storing an indicator message in the form of a voice recording.

The indicator device further includes a indicator in the form of loud speaker 8 for transmitting the voice recording as explained below. The loud speaker is also mounted in the panel of the panel arch 5 so that it faces outwards towards the fuel flap 4.

In this embodiment the activator is a light sensitive switch 6, such as a light sensitive transistor or diode or any other prior art light operated switch.

A display is also mounted on the panel arch 5. In this embodiment, the display is a liquid crystal display (LCD).

A control unit 9 is powered from a power supply 2 in the form of the motor vehicle's own battery and the control unit 9 controls an supplies power to the computing means 10, memory 11, display 7 and switch 6.

A message may also be displayed on the LCD to provide a visual indicator.

In use, with the fuel flap 4 closed and the light sensitive switch 6 not activated the motor vehicle is driven to a refueling point such as a service station.

When the fuel flap is opened, the light that enters behind the fuel flap and falls in the switch 6 activates the switch 6, which, in turn causes the control unit to activate the memory means 10. The computing means 10 retrieves the recorded voice message from the onboard memory and causes it to be transmitted via the loud speaker 8. The message may include something along the following lines :"Good morning, please note that this vehicle only takes unleaded fuel". The indicator device will thus inform the person refueling the vehicle as to the type of petrol the specific vehicle uses. The voice message may also be recorded in various difference languages so that the message is played sequentially in the various different languages.

It is envisaged that the warning device described herein will prevent or at least minimize the risk of refueling a vehicle with the wrong type of fuel. The warning device will thus save cost, down time and inconvenience to the owner. The invention is not limited to the precise details described herein. For example; instead of using the light activated switch 6 it could be replaced by a micro switch which is enabled or disabled when the fuel flap is opened. The indicator device could of course also have its own power supply instead of using the vehicle battery 2. The warning device may also have an input means in the form of a microphone and control keys for changing the message or messages thereon. Instead of being and audio message, the indicator may also be a number of lights associated with the types of fuel, so that the correct corresponding light flashes at the time of opening the fuel flap.

The indicator device may also be used in other applications instead of being used in a motor vehicle to warn or indicate as to the type of fuel to be used.

The indicator device may for example be used in factories or the like for warning personnel of possible dangers when certain predetermined actions are performed by such personnel.