Fighting for vehicle owners’ rights to inspect the code that runs their vehicles

[Hersbird]

We bought a used Impala police car that had the dome light disabled by the body control module. I saw it on the window sticker, they actualled charged the police department $150 to break the dome light. Then when I took it in for some warranty work I asked them if they could reprogram it to make the dome light work again. They said I had to buy the program for $150 and then pay an hour worth of shop labor to put the program into the computer. This was not a new computer mind you just a flash program of the existing body computer. So $300 to fix the dome light that somebody else paid $150 to break. I said no thanks.

[freebeard]

That's crazy. You can get a stick-on battery powered closet light for $2.

The Register ran an article titled There's data in your dashboard, so liberate it from Big Auto's grasp:

One startup, Sydney’s GoFar, recently successfully crowdfunded a little device that plugs into the OBD port, and uses your car’s data to drive a device that gamifies your driving. Drive inefficiently with GoFar, and its little dashboard display glows an angry red. Drive more efficiently, and that same display glows blue.

As you drive more with GoFar, you begin to develop a body-memory sense for the most efficient driving techniques. Within a few months, those techniques become instinctive. You’re a more eco-friendly (and safer) driver - cutting perhaps 20 per cent off your petrol bill, and your automobile makes fewer emissions than it did before you learned - under GoFar’s tutelage - how to drive more efficiently.

gofarcar | Just another WordPress site

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

...

I agree, three quick points (might be covered in your post).

1. Most people don't add to what their car has - e.g. you aren't likely to add traction control to a car that doesn't have it.

2. Those that do tend to buy OEM modules made by external manufacturers but sold as original (e.g. GM) components. Installation usually requires some kind of "coding" to the car. Insurance here would kill that idea, maybe less so in the colonies.

3. No non-OEM component maker is going to sell something like Traction Control as a generic module which can be added to any car. They may make mechanical items such as brakes, suspension, steering and joints as most of those tend to be generic anyway.

[freebeard]

You still have colonies?

Traction control is something I'd like to add to my Superbeetle, since that episode with the black ice in December last. But it apparently requires a tachometer on each axle.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by freebeard

You still have colonies?

Yes, anywhere outside of Great Britain that uses English. The level of civilisation depends on the ability to make a decent cup of tea, a good bacon roll, and driving on the correct (left) side of the road.

Originally Posted by freebeard

Traction control is something I'd like to add to my Superbeetle, since that episode with the black ice in December last. But it apparently requires a tachometer on each axle.

And maybe stuff to work the brakes or do something with the ignition ?

[freebeard]

Well, I guess it's a cutting brake then:


Cutting Brakes - VW Baja Bug & Dune Buggy Parts

[Xist]

This tea, is it like whiskey?