Author Topic: BMW calling home for service? (Read 616 times)

Wolfala · « **on:** April 17, 2006, 02:38:12 PM »

Interesting story, something funny happened to my dad on the way to work the other day. He drives a BMW - nothing special in the way of equipment, just a leased 5 series. Anyways, they do oil changes every 15,000 miles or so. So the alert went off on the annunciator panel that service was near. Not 20 minutes later, his phone rings. "Hello, this is Manhatten BMW - we're calling to remind you that you need a service." He's like WTF, I was going to call, and they said "your car called us." Which begs to question, what other data is being sent out?

And now back to our regularly scheduled DRM discussion.

Wolf

mora · « **Reply #1 on:** April 17, 2006, 02:44:27 PM »

Did you know that the planned next generation OBD-systems will feature a transponder, which will send data to roadside receivers. This is supposed to be done to ensure that emission control systems are working properly. This equipment will become mandatory just like the current OBD-II/EOBD systems. It will also enable law enforcement to control speeds. I'm totally sure that in 10 to 15 years there will be speed governors utilizing GPS on all cars. They are allready testing them in Sweden.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #2 on:** April 17, 2006, 02:45:38 PM »

Considering the BMW is leased, I don't blame the dealership one bit for doing this. They're just looking out for their equipment.

mora · « **Reply #3 on:** April 17, 2006, 02:51:49 PM »

Systems like that have been used in forests machines and timber trucks for quite a while, now they are available to almost all new trucks. The natural next step is to have them in passenger cars.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2006, 03:03:33 PM »

Apparently, the future is to have cars that can communicate directly with the dealers, and have diagnostics performed remotely. Dealers could make sure parts were in stock before the car arrives, and software updates could be done without even bringing the car in for service. (just learned this from the BMW forums)

mora · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2006, 03:21:28 PM »

Yes, I wouldn't be worried about them at all. One can disable suchs a system if he's so conserned about privacy. What I'm worried about is the goverment mandated systems, which are supposed to be for the "common good".

NattyIced · « **Reply #6 on:** April 17, 2006, 03:23:12 PM »

You have nothing to fear if you have nothing to fix.

LePaul · « **Reply #7 on:** April 17, 2006, 05:26:35 PM »

Will the software do the same as the dealer? Insist you have >insert leaking part/seal/etc< and *must* have it done? Turning a $29 service turn into a $1,200 one?

Friend went thru that with his Chevy truck. Went in for some sort of recall service, the tech comes out with 3 pages of things that "should be" fixed. He declines but asks for that list of "issues". Takes truck to his usual mechanic who informs him the tech was commission hunting. Do these guys have quotas or something?

Sandman · « **Reply #8 on:** April 17, 2006, 07:08:14 PM »

Here's a fairly compelling reason to track the manner in which a motor vehicle is operated.

Quote

The 1998 NHTSA report "Traffic Safety Facts 1998 Annual Report" reports 41,471 fatalities and 3,192,000 injuries, 414,960 of them serious.

Pei · « **Reply #9 on:** April 18, 2006, 02:06:27 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Sandman
Here's a fairly compelling reason to track the manner in which a motor vehicle is operated.

We are adults and we should know and accept the risk in driving. It is not the state's responsibility to protect us. If you can't accept the risk involved in driving then don't drive.

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #10 on:** April 18, 2006, 02:10:51 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Sandman
Here's a fairly compelling reason to track the manner in which a motor vehicle is operated.

Half a million Americans die of heart disease anually. Is that why Safeway tracks my grocery purchases with their frikkin club card? To make sure I eat a balanced and healthful diet?

Debonair · « **Reply #11 on:** April 18, 2006, 02:16:15 AM »

I made a perdiction to myself that

would soon be appearing in this thread, but I never admit I'm wrong.
I never am.

Of the 410,000+ serious injuries, how many were "totaly serious"?

mora · « **Reply #12 on:** April 18, 2006, 04:28:50 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Sandman
Here's a fairly compelling reason to track the manner in which a motor vehicle is operated.

I wonder how the statistics would look if you had madatory vehicle testing like every other civilized country?

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #13 on:** April 18, 2006, 05:12:05 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by mora
I wonder how the statistics would look if you had madatory vehicle testing like every other civilized country?

The cars that the drunks drive would be in better condition just prior to the crash.

50% drunk driving, 17% speeding, 8% right of way, 8% crossing center line, running a stop sign, 2.6% improper passing 2.5%,... vehicle condition is a minor percentage of accident cause.

eagl · « **Reply #14 on:** April 18, 2006, 05:49:38 AM »

I've read posts from people who have had their GM warranties cancelled without warning or hope of appeal as soon as any dealer even suspected that the owner was racing their car, so it wouldn't suprise me if the car called home if the speedo exceeds100mph, followed shortly by an official letter notifying the owner that the warranty is now void.

It's just a matter of time before the car notifies the police if speed limits are exceeded, resulting in self-generated speeding tickets. The DMCA as written would make it a felony to tamper with any digital information transfer not intended for consumer use, so you can't even intercept or shut off the transponder even without new legislation.