10 ms·
That's a slightly differnet scenario, as the disgnostics don't actaully "fix" anything, although you can use disgnostics software to adjust settings like ride h
by kagamine 11y ago
That's a slightly differnet scenario, as the disgnostics don't actaully "fix" anything, although you can use disgnostics software to adjust settings like ride height, injector settings etc. There really was no extra work involved by the manufacturers in the link you provided, they had all the information well documented and just refused to publish it.
There is a downside to diagnostics tools being freely available, you can clear any fault codes before you sell the car to an unsuspecting buyer, this will prevent the dash warning lights appearing until the sensor registers the fault again, which could be under particular driving conditions. Of course, this is little different from the normal 'buying a used car' pitfalls.
ON the other hand, I saved literally thousands of dollars by diagnosing my air-suspension fault myself, and then carrying out the work required based on that fault code. Pretty sure the dealership don't want me doing that, but then maybe they shouldn't charge a high hourly rate for a 5-10 minute process of attaching a cable and looking at the screen?
- rjsw 11y agoIf you had the full documentation on all the systems on a car you could also reset the odometer before selling it to someone else, or turn off the alarm system and unlock the doors. Before the recent examples of using internet connected entertainment systems to hack cars there was a case where someone found that there was a vehicle bus connector in the wheel arch of certain vehicles, plug into it and you could do anything to the car from outside.
- JupiterMoon 11y agoThese would not be problems if the car software/hardware is properly constructed. The issues with the odometer, alarm and doors could be solved by signing the relevant binaries/data with a digital key. The issue with the bus connector is close to negligence in my non-professional opinion (the fuel cap is locked on my car as is the switch to release the bonnet). The security by obscurity argument is pretty dead at this time -- it doesn't magically get resurrected just because the object we are securing is a car.
- Dylan16807 11y agoSigning? Or just don't let it be changed. Odometers don't need updates.
- rjsw 11y agoThey do need updates if you need to replace the ECU where the odometer reading is stored.
- Dylan16807 11y agoWeren't we talking about diagnostic tools and security as it relates to tampering? Replacing the entire odometer is a different issue entirely. And how does support for replacing a circuit board imply that the circuit board needs to support software updates? I don't understand what you're saying at all.
- rjsw 11y agoA car is basically a LAN of fairly generic microcontrollers, they are fitted to the car then programmed in place to match their required function, the official odometer value will be stored in one of these microcontrollers picked at random for that particular car. The main function of the one that gets chosen could be anything, it could control seat position or electric windows for example. If this controller needs to be replaced then the new one will need to be programmed with the correct software then the old odometer value stored into it. The diagnostic tools provided to official dealerships handle reading fault codes and reprogramming the microcontrollers fitted to the car. I think that OBD-II is about as good a compromise as you are going to get to allow aftermarket diagnostics. In hindsight, it could have been better to have treated the car as a WAN, with every controller firewalled off from each other, particularly as the manufacturers have been talking for years about allowing access to the vehicle bus from outside so that cars can be linked together into a train and all changing speed at the same time. I don't think you would choose to do this with CAN though and I don't know of any proposals for newer network standards though it is a few years since I was a member of any of the ISO committees that worked on this.
- kedean 11y agoAll of those problems existed before fully electronic cars became the new thing. Were modified odometers a huge problem when they were mechanical? Not really. The encryption on fob-based door locks was broken YEARS ago (it was laughable), but it has yet to be a problem.
- jdmichal 11y ago> There is a downside to diagnostics tools being freely available, you can clear any fault codes before you sell the car to an unsuspecting buyer, this will prevent the dash warning lights appearing until the sensor registers the fault again, which could be under particular driving conditions. This is already reality. Any AutoZone store, and probably most other large auto parts retailers, will read and clear codes for you at no charge. Their upside is that you might buy a part to fix the code.
- kevin_thibedeau 11y ago> will read and clear codes for you at no charge. In many states they won't clear codes. Even for trivial faults that aren't safety issues.