this post was submitted on 19 Jul 2023
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To what extent could companies wreck my freedom in cars even more? I have heard of heated seats being pay walled, despite the technology to heat the seat being installed in the factory... Computer controlled locking systems where if my key fob breaks I can't get into my car, or worse, the electronic control system fails and I'm up shit creek without a paddle.
As to education, how can I even learn to repair something like that? My ignorance makes me think soldering may be useful, but how can an individual have greater control on the freedom to repair and own their automobile. The generality of my question lays in my ignorance to the inner workings of most cars.
You have to buy special $3000 computer handhelds that plug into the car and let you interface with it completely. Often you can only buy those with a business account direct from the manufacturer.
You cand do a little bit with OBD II using a $10 Bluetooth dongle and free app. But that's basically limited to reading and clearing codes.
What's with Toyota's TechStream? What is all that about?
I got an OBD-II device for reading and clearing codes and at least I can snatch them from my vehicle. I haven't heard of the dongle before, does it connect to the infotainment system and then allow you access to the underlying file system? I don't want to brick anything doing that lol
Everything is paywalled. I’m leasing a less than 2 years old BMW, and now everything is included (e.g. phone app, carplay, guarantee), but after a while these run out, and you have to pay for even navigation.
This is also why I think it’s not worth to buy these cars, lease/rent it at the most. If you want to own smg, buy a reliable Jap/Korean option - when looking at used cars I’ve seen Mazdas hold their value incredibly (unlike the fancy German cars).
Oh man... I grew up poor and couldn't imagine my car's daily functions spontaneously malfunctioning due to a stupid code you can't control (reliably) as an end user. Having never had money to throw at solutions , I can't imagine how horrible equity will be as time progresses with knowledge and understanding of these things.
I'll check out Mazdas! I'm in the market for a new car, but really anything that just is a "dumb" car. I don't want the infotainment crap and paywalled everything, just let me repair my vehicle so I can afford to live :D