Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Cars Are Now Rolling Computers, So How Long Will They Get Updates? Automakers Can’t Say
Spotify ^ | 25 July 2024 | AArian Marshall

Posted on 07/27/2024 12:16:15 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT

Phones are supported well beyond their average ownership lifetime. In stark contrast, automakers are struggling to work out how long their “smartphones on wheels” can be kept on the road.

In 2022, the automaker told drivers of the affected cars, some only three years old, that a technical solution was delayed by the pandemic. Now, more than two years later, those drivers still don’t have access to telematics services.

A recent report found that cars and trucks just reached a new record average age of 12.6 years, up two months from 2023.

“Whatever anybody is saying right now, it will really have to be proven out in time,” says Stacey Higginbotham, a policy fellow at Consumer Reports.

(Excerpt) Read more at open.spotify.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Humor
KEYWORDS: automotive; cars; computers; expired; rollingcomputers; updating
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120121-129 next last
To: The Louiswu
One day you’ll get an update and your car WILL NOT FUNCTION any longer.

Once time our van went into "limp mode" (wouldn't go faster than about 35mph). Turns out all that was wrong is the transmission software needed an update.

We were out of state visiting relatives, so a MAJOR inconvenience.

101 posted on 07/27/2024 8:10:05 PM PDT by P.O.E. (Pray for America.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: TexasGator

The market for heat pump service techs is just now coming around.

Also the tech changes quickly, from day to day.

I have my eye on Equium;
The so-called Acoustic Heat Pump (AHP) can cover a household’s heating needs without the use of refrigerants. Instead, its operation is based on the phenomenon of thermoacoustics — the convergence of thermics, acoustics, and fluid mechanics.

The core works with a high-fidelity (Hi-Fi) speaker powered by electricity, which generates an acoustic wave in tubes filled with helium — a neutral and non-toxic gas that accelerates the propagation of sound. The acoustic wave causes the gas to compress or expand, producing heat or cold, respectively. It remains confined within the system, which allows the machine to be silent.

https://www.equium.fr/


102 posted on 07/27/2024 8:11:55 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT ( "The enemy has overrun us. We are blowing up everything. Vive la France!"Dien Bien Phu last message)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: TexasGator

I never park my p/u in an an angled spot. It would stick out too far.

Plus it’s a PITA to back out of into traffic.

I go around to a less trafficked places where there are more friendly spaces, if I ever take it downtown.

Even with my cars, I eschew angled parking.

Fortunately I live in a low population place where I don’t have to participate in such.


103 posted on 07/27/2024 8:14:26 PM PDT by Paladin2 (YMMV)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 86 | View Replies]

To: Paladin2

—”I have driven personal vehicles where one could see the road going by on the passenger side.”

Usually a road sign and a few pop rivets, some luck finding a solid spot for the rivet...

Plywood, and I have heard of using cardboard, it freezes solid for the winter.

We use salt on the road, so nothing is safe.


104 posted on 07/27/2024 8:18:37 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT ( "The enemy has overrun us. We are blowing up everything. Vive la France!"Dien Bien Phu last message)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 84 | View Replies]

To: DUMBGRUNT

“a few pop rivets”

Been there, done that....

Some RTV like sealant helps.


105 posted on 07/27/2024 8:22:02 PM PDT by Paladin2 (YMMV)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 104 | View Replies]

To: maddog55

—”By a vote of 6-3, the justices overruled their landmark 1984 decision in Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, “

A start.
You may have that much of the current administration, does not acknowledge the court system.
They cram down some bs laws and lawyer up with tax dollars, then drag it out until all the plaintiffs are broke...


106 posted on 07/27/2024 8:24:27 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT ( "The enemy has overrun us. We are blowing up everything. Vive la France!"Dien Bien Phu last message)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 95 | View Replies]

To: Paladin2

“I never park my p/u in an an angled spot. It would stick out too far.”

Are you one of those guys that back into spaces so far over the walk that it is hard for pedestrians to get by?

“Plus it’s a PITA to back out of into traffic.”

A lot easier with a BU camera and rear-cross alarms.


107 posted on 07/27/2024 8:26:07 PM PDT by TexasGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 103 | View Replies]

To: TexasGator

Are you one of those guys that back into spaces so far over the walk that it is hard for pedestrians to get by?

No, I basically never go downtown.

Certainly not in the p/u.


108 posted on 07/27/2024 8:29:07 PM PDT by Paladin2 (YMMV)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 107 | View Replies]

To: Paladin2

—”Some RTV like sealant helps.”

That is some high-roller stuff and usually smells awful.

Cheapo caulk that is half hard in the tube, but you cut open the back of the tube and scrape it on with a stick.
But hardly anything sticks to rust.


109 posted on 07/27/2024 8:29:37 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT ( "The enemy has overrun us. We are blowing up everything. Vive la France!"Dien Bien Phu last message)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 105 | View Replies]

To: DUMBGRUNT

“But hardly anything sticks to rust.”

My experience too....


110 posted on 07/27/2024 8:31:09 PM PDT by Paladin2 (YMMV)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 109 | View Replies]

To: Paladin2

“No, I basically never go downtown.”

The Walgreens I was at with a truck backed up to it was not downtown. Located on a corner of two roads with 55 speed limits.


111 posted on 07/27/2024 8:48:17 PM PDT by TexasGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 108 | View Replies]

To: DUMBGRUNT

I keep my 2005 GMC vehicle going simply because I don’t want all the computerized parts. I don’t want to have to interact with a computer to operate my car. As we saw with Crowdstrike last week, updates are unreliable and can cause computer failures.

The body, motor, and transmission in my car are all in great shape. I’ll keep replacing the various other parts that wear out and keep it as long as possible. I figure by the time it dies for good, we will all be competing for old parts and fighting over gasoline as we drive our Mad Max vehicles in the Civil War of 2030.


112 posted on 07/27/2024 8:53:44 PM PDT by CFW
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DUMBGRUNT

“Also the tech changes quickly, from day to day.

I have my eye on Equium;”

Not so rapidly with Equium!


113 posted on 07/27/2024 9:07:15 PM PDT by TexasGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 102 | View Replies]

To: TexasGator

#31 I saw a video where a guy bought a Chevy / GM pickup truck and found out the engine switches from 8cyl to 4cyl and not enough oil gets to the pistons and lifters and camshaft and the engine needs major fixing or a replacement around 40,000 miles. The next year model did a random shutdown of 4 cyls as the problem mentioned before would not happen for a while longer as not enough oil did not get to the engine parts. Chevy says 30% less fuel consumption.
It is called AFM - Active Fuel Management

There are 3rd party software that he said he bought to block the engine cyl shutoff. He said you should not have to do this and most would not know to do this. There is a class action lawsuit over this.

Why was this engine designed this way? Because of EPA regulations and all to save 1 to 2mpg...!!

Gov’t destroy’s the engine for that!
Many links to look over.
Google: AFM - Active Fuel Management causing problems


114 posted on 07/27/2024 11:12:15 PM PDT by minnesota_bound (Need more money to buy everything now)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Z28.310

I saw a 72 Fury lll for 12k a few months ago. Body fine. There isn’t a part of that thing you can’t buy today easily. And when it comes to engines you have so many choices involving mid to MASSIVE power it’s almost funny. If I didn’t have a firebird on the driveway I’d have bought it.


115 posted on 07/28/2024 6:42:23 AM PDT by TalBlack (I We have a Christian duty and a patriotic duty. God help us.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: TexasGator

Go to YouTube and search the five thousand dollar tail light. As for headlights I’ve heard two to three thousand each and that was two years ago. Three thousand dollars to replace an HVAC air director buried in the dash as opposed to under it and forward as was traditional is also on YouTube. Twenty dollar part that air director but it’s plastic, it fails and you have to disassemble the entire dash to get at them now. That means steering wheels, airbags the computer components therein. This all has to be cleared with the computer afterwards an d THt adds time and cost. Also on YouTube is the 80 dollar coil replacement that goes to high six hundred because the computer senses one new coil and requires ALL. be replaced. REQUIRES not suggests. In fact the mechanic involved in that coil job had told the customer 80 bucks and ate the extra 520.00 it cost then quit the biz, totally sick of such stupid outrages.


116 posted on 07/28/2024 7:00:39 AM PDT by TalBlack (I We have a Christian duty and a patriotic duty. God help us.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: Reno89519

Will there be a GM to honor the warranty in 5 years?


117 posted on 07/28/2024 7:04:44 AM PDT by bert ( (KE. NP. +12) Where is ZORRO when California so desperately needs him?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: TalBlack

Agree with all you said.
Parts are NOT a problem.
Have a neighbor with a 2015 Cadillac that has ABS alarm sounding and they cannot resolve it. “BEEP BEEP BEEP” going down the road. They won’t cut the wire for the beeps and the parts are no longer available.

Firebird must be fun to drive. What year?


118 posted on 07/28/2024 7:05:16 AM PDT by Z28.310 (does not comply well with others)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 115 | View Replies]

To: TalBlack

—” There isn’t a part of that thing you can’t buy today easily.”

YES!
But for one thing.
Leaded gasoline.

Some run aviation gas and some I know use additives.

IMO dropping a ‘pollution engine’ in is a can of worms.

Good luck!


119 posted on 07/28/2024 7:18:23 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT ( "The enemy has overrun us. We are blowing up everything. Vive la France!"Dien Bien Phu last message)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 115 | View Replies]

To: Z28.310

It’s a 98 and a bitch to work on. I only put about 6k on my daily driver per year so at 65 I figure to ride it to the grave. Im presently trying to figure out if I can get the engine and tranny out together thru the top.


120 posted on 07/28/2024 7:23:45 AM PDT by TalBlack (I We have a Christian duty and a patriotic duty. God help us.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 118 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120121-129 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson