Automakers to gearheads: Stop repairing cars

[Wild and Free]

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/04/20/automakers-gearheads-car-repairs/

 

I am kinda speechless right now!

[IBMobile]

Looks like we're all going to be felons. This looks like another power play by the vehicle manufacturers. They want to increase market share of the auto dealers' repair business by keeping the software proprietary. I run in to this when I'm working on Volvos. My every day scan tools will not always interface with the car's systems like the SRS (air bags) or transmission. If i want to access all of the systems and sub-systems I need to use Volvo's VIDA hardware and download their software all at a hefty price,this is similar to Chrysler's wiTECH.  A few years ago you couldn't get service up dates or repair bulletins from the manufacturer. Some body sued and won the right for the public to get them but at a price.  I'm sure glad I'm retiring soon.

[Wild and Free]

I have the same issue at the mine, Need equipment specific software for so many different things and all at hefty prices as well. We are primarily Cat and are relying on our vendors more and more now days.

[Mopar1973Man]

I'm not scared off by this. Once again Gov't Agencies have been trying to limit everyone form modifying their vehicles for YEARS. Even if some sort of laws was made I sure people will still modify their vehicles. Just like the fines levelled at Edge and other manufactures. Companies are still producing delete kits, modules and programmers. Heck you might as well outlaw my OBDLink being I can now hack the bus data on my truck. I remember growing up in the later 70's and 80's when Unleaded Gas came out and the Catalytic Converters. Big Scare don't cut your Cat out you could be fined big. Still to this day people still do it.

[flagmanruss]

All in favor of Stealerships having a monopoly, raise your hands. 

In all fairness, my cousin ran a great dealership, gave great service & was worth every penny. 

The folks who bought them out, fired all the mechanics & especially the job writer...  who was simply amazing.  Service went to hell.  They didn't find the problem I took it in for & failed to latch the hood correctly (causing the hood to fly up as I described in another post) & then damaged & concealed the air box they broke.  

I tried another dealer, for a fuel pump failure who charged me for code reading which wasn't done (or they lied to me when they said there were no codes.)   

I get real pissy about mechanics who treat my stuff like crap after I paid nearly 40K for the truck off the showroom. 

I'm undecided on the dealer I bought the Avenger at...  we'll see.

[Me78569]

I have been needing a reason to run megasquirt or something similar.....

 

If I am not using their code then there is no issue.

[CTcummins24V]

They're just trying to justify more government control. The automakers are in bed with the government because of bail outs and what not, now the feds can enforce their extensive emission controls and will be telling us what kinds of cars we can and cannot buy and who we can take them to for service. "You like your mechanic, you can keep em"...yaaaa right

[Hawkez]

I'm not sure this is something to get spun up over.  What are the chances of legislation would be passed that would outlaw modifying repairing your vehicle.  Think of the precedent that would set.  Would that open doors to make it illegal to make repairs or install upgrades on your home or other purchased goods as well?  This would open Pandora's box.  This is also the first I have read or seen of this, so I question the validity of the article.  Of course, I always advocate writing your representatives and see how they feel about the subject--just don't plot to land a plane on the Capitol Building's lawn to deliver the letter...there are much better ways to deliver your message.

[Wild and Free]

This admin probably wants to up the game from cash for clunkers to jail for owning one we can still work on now. Bring on Jade Helm scenarios. we the people are the enemy of the corporately owned state now.

[Wild and Free]

I'm not sure this is something to get spun up over.  What are the chances of legislation would be passed that would outlaw modifying repairing your vehicle.  Think of the precedent that would set.  Would that open doors to make it illegal to make repairs or install upgrades on your home or other purchased goods as well?  This would open Pandora's box.  This is also the first I have read or seen of this, so I question the validity of the article.  Of course, I always advocate writing your representatives and see how they feel about the subject--just don't plot to land a plane on the Capitol Building's lawn to deliver the letter...there are much better ways to deliver your message.

 

Even made bigger news sites today.

 

http://www.infowars.com/automakers-want-to-outlaw-gearheads-from-working-on-their-own-cars/

[CTcummins24V]

It's food for thought. They'll take baby steps and no one will notice till one day apple/google will be driving us everywhere while we're in the backseat, like the article says. I don't think it's an immediate threat but you can see where we are heading.

[IBMobile]

I'm not sure this is something to get spun up over.  What are the chances of legislation would be passed that would outlaw modifying repairing your vehicle.  Think of the precedent that would set.  Would that open doors to make it illegal to make repairs or install upgrades on your home or other purchased goods as well?  This would open Pandora's box.

Legislation does not have to be passed to outlaw something.The EPA makes laws an regulations all the time. They along with all the other government agencies were given that power by the Congress. The California Air Resource Board (CARB) make the laws and regulations for the States air emissions. The people that over see this agency are appointed by the Governor.  I've installed an Edge EZ on my truck. The EZ is a CARB unapproved device and therefor and outlawed modification to my truck. Luck for me that where I smog my truck they turn a blind eye to it or it would be an automatic failure.

 

In this State I can not buy and install a home furnace or A/C system, only a license contractor can. In this State I can not purchase a gun magazine over 10 rounds. In this State there are a lot of thing I can not modify or purchase that if I did would be an infraction, misdemeanor, or felony. These laws and regulations were passed by legislation or an agency.  So with the right mind set in government any thing is possible.  The box has already been open!

Edited April 21, 2015 by IBMobile

[Mopar1973Man]

Just like the high idle mod and MPG fooler is also unapproved device. But I'll continue to support and design them.

[CTcummins24V]

Then point gets raised, why pass a law/legislation and then not enforce it? Power hungry. I'm guessing dealerships aren't getting the volume of customers they used to because they are just so expensive. Plus you almost never get to see/talk to the person that actually worked on your vehicle and it makes for a hard case against them if something fishy happens.  

[flagmanruss]

I think this is a lot more about Independant shops...  who work every day...  than about DIY owners.  Most owners do not have the shop & tools to do many of the repairs.  I think this is another attempt to keep the Independant shop from getting the tools that are supposedlt "dealer only".  

But if it were not for independant shops, GM ignition switches would still be killing owners.  I don't think this will fly.

[Mopar1973Man]

I don't think this will fly.

 

I know it won't fly. People, web sites, racers, gear heads, etc... Will continue to modify their vehicle to the way they see fit. Now area like California with smog checking and other states with vehicle inspections tends to keep this in check and preventing off-highway vehicle being used on highway. Some people go through the trouble each year to change back to stock smog and then reinstall all the toyz again. Yeah I was one of those too back in the day of living in Cally.

[Killer223]

it's same as the cell phone Rooting issue, i OWN the devise, and as such i can do with it as i please. i do no LEASE it like most do to Microsoft. when i own it i can and will modify it as i see fit.  if they are going to require the dealer be used to work on vehicles then i'll require the service to be free for the life i own the vehicle. i really hate government. and uneducated people that don't stand up to them.

 

off to a race.

[IBMobile]

I think this is a lot more about Independant shops...  who work every day...  than about DIY owners.  Most owners do not have the shop & tools to do many of the repairs.  I think this is another attempt to keep the Independant shop from getting the tools that are supposedlt "dealer only".  

But if it were not for independant shops, GM ignition switches would still be killing owners.  I don't think this will fly.

Most people out there can't work on their own truck/car because of a multitude of reasons, this leaves the dealer or independent repair shop.Customer retention  for the dealer has always been a problem. There's an 80% chance that in 3 years the vehicle that the dealer sells today will be serviced at an independent shop and in 5 years its close to 100%. 

The dealer/manufacture now think they have a way to corner the after sales diagnostic and repair market by saying these proposed regulations and laws are for public safety and liability concerns. Most of the state and federal legislators are trial lawyers and the Trial Lawyers' Association wont' let some law get passed that might infringe on a good class action suite. The manufactures' lobby will throw a bunch of money at it and maybe a back door deal will be made. The consumer will pay more in the end. We always do.      

[Wild and Free]

What I find scary are the possibilities and already hacks going on with the newer cars being able to totally control them wirelessly. There have already been high profile murder or suspicious deaths that have been linked to or suspicions of vehicle hacks being the cause of them by gov agencies.

 

Much like the cashless system we are barreling towards so the watchers can monitor every single thing in your life they are pushing for the same in vehicles.

[Killer223]

Someday they will outlaw driving in the name of "public safety".  the sad part is a a large amount of people will demand it.