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They put them in so that they can use a single key fob to open up all the cars in the lot. There's a socket that accepts a module. When they sell the car, they
by sgtnoodle 4y ago
They put them in so that they can use a single key fob to open up all the cars in the lot. There's a socket that accepts a module. When they sell the car, they pop out their key fob module and pop in the "security system" blinking LED module and try to upsell you $1K for the privilege of having your wire harness butchered.
- fortran77 4y agoThis is the most accurate answer in this thread. Toyota dealers in Northern California did this to me twice on new cars. (A third party autosound guy removed it and fixed the harness for me) Even though we always pay in full for cars, the dealer has you talk to the finance guy who will try to sell you useless addons like undercoating and an “alarm system” which has already been butchered into the car by the dealer. (If you buy it they would stick a key module with a blinking red light under the dash somewhere, but most of the circuit is already there.)
- toast0 4y agoThey also like to install brake light flashers, and pull them out if you object. So annoying.
- Gordonjcp 4y ago"Brake light flashers"?
- aaaaaaaaaaab 4y agohttps://www.customled.com/collections/brake-light-flashers-and-brake-light-modulators-for-motorcycles https://www.customled.com/collections/brake-light-flashers-a...
- CraigJPerry 4y agoThat's pretty wild that this is sold as aftermarket. This is baked into VAG & BMW car products for at least the last 12 years, and it was on my 2015 S1000XR, but it'll only activate under hard braking scenarios. I don't know if i'd want this to activate for every brake press, at least here in the UK i've gotten used to the idea flashing brake lights = car ahead is braking very hard.
- closewith 4y agoFlashing brake lights in certain circumstances are required in the EU (Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to the installation of lighting and light-signalling devices 2016/1723), although the linked brake light flashers seem to be unlawful as they flash on onset of braking rather than extreme braking force.
- Gordonjcp 4y agoI've never seen flashing brake lights, but indicators flash on very hard braking. It first showed up on the first-gen Citroën C5, and was copied by everyone else after that. On the C5, it was part of the "emergency brake assist", which would basically work out that if you were doing an emergency stop, you really wanted to throw out the anchors and dump all the hydraulic pressure into the brakes.
- CraigJPerry 4y agoAhh you’re right - it’s hazards that flash, it’s not the brake lights. OT: I was wondering if you were gordonjcp of scotlug fame (i don’t expect you’d remember me, i used to attend / was briefly active circa 2002-2004) but the mention of Citroen sealed it :-) hope you’re well!
- Gordonjcp 4y agoI am, yes. I think I remember you? Were you at Strath at the time? That must have been the Livvy Tower/Counting House era.
- rightbyte 4y ago> useless addons like undercoating Bad example really. Depending on car age that might be insane value. If people treated their cars like boats the car bodies would last for 30 years easely. Take it up once a year and paint the belly ...
- fortran77 4y agoOn a new car? No. In fact the Toyota owner's manual warned against after-market undercoatings. The dealer was trying to do something that the manufacturer warned against.
- rightbyte 4y agoOk ye not worth it the first 6-10 years or what ever it takes until the original coat gets bad.
- driverdan 4y agoDealer undercoatings are a scam. They are significantly overpriced. You can get it done elsewhere for much less or do it yourself.
- rightbyte 4y agoOh ok. I assume they entomb dirt and rust in the coating to keep costs down? Or do it when it is not needed? I just wanted to defend the awesome concept of "painting" the belly of cars.