This whole idea of incorporating wireless connectivity and merging this network into an automobile is wrought with peril.
I have seen this before:
Posted on 11/24/2012 6:24:43 PM PST by Chickensoup
So, I am looking at a new car. Perhaps the VW diesel. I drive the car and find that I am staring at computer screens. The car must have a full pc under the hood. I am told now that most do.
And I understand that for some reason beyond my understanding the cars now have wifi.
When I purchase a computer I get in there and disable, uninstall and delete items I don’t use like games…extra os and tools I won’t use.
So how do I turn off the garbage that is extra on a new car? Like Wifi? I certainly do not want my car broadcasting anything to the world?
What are people doing out there with these new cars?
Insight would be appreciated.
And I understand that for some reason beyond my understanding the cars now have wifi.
When I purchase a computer I get in there and disable, uninstall and delete items I don’t use like games…extra os and tools I won’t use.
So how do I turn off the garbage that is extra on a new car? Like Wifi? I certainly do not want my car broadcasting anything to the world?
What are people doing out there with these new cars?
Insight would be appreciated.
LOL.....technology shock; that’s all you are experiencing if you haven’t bought a car in a while. Don’t let the gadgetry intimidate you. Much of it is highly useful; some of it....not so much. Well designed cars have such systems with a wealth of information. Others....again, not so much. GPS, satellite radio, backup cameras....all nice. Bluetooth so you can pair your phone (use hands free), etc....not bad, but I don’t use that. Just know there’s a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it it’s really not that bad.
What it really means is the nail in the coffin of the shade tree mechanic.
The Wi-Fi is very likely a subscription service, requiring active participation on your part. For example, the car could connect to your smartphone via bluetooth and then serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot. This would require you to actively connect and permit this connection via your smartphone.
What bothers me, to no small degree - is this opens your car to a variety of malicious attacks. A car hacker could potentially create a virus that would propagate through the Wi-FI, and infect other cars. If your car’s network is connected to the security system, or the engine/transmission controllers - a malicious hacker could cause your car to shut down, or could hack into the Wi-Fi and set it to unlock with his personal fob - thereby bypassing your key and locking system.
This whole idea of incorporating wireless connectivity and merging this network into an automobile is wrought with peril.
Some ideas are neat; for example the idea of purchasing “Upgrades” via software for your car/transmission (say, winter driving transmission settings dictated by season, exterior temperature, local weather road reports and GPS position) are very neat. But the question I do not know the answer to, is how well is the individual car protected from malicious software. Could a malicious hacker cause your engine to go to full power, the transmission to lock in drive, and lock your steering wheel? Essentially turning your car in to a ballistic weapon? I simply don’t know.
I hear what you are saying about the attacks. But from what I understand there is a wifi component already in place. i would want that off!
I INSISTED that our new SUV come with all that stuff, or we weren't buying. The one we were looking at didn't have the 'computer' on board. I had them order/install one(for like $3,000). Backup cam still shows on the mirror though.(prefer it there anyway). The SUV we were trading in had all those features, and there was no way in hell I was gonna buy another one without them. I don't use the Bluetooth either. I can see how it would be nice for those who would though.
You’re talking about Autonet Mobile. The car does not come with wifi just wifi capability, unless there is a free trial period like for instance with XM Satellite radio. You’d have to subscribe.
For us, we are ignoring them. For the same reasons we ignore all the airhead smartphone crap. Fashion statements for the pierced generation.
My ten year old Subaru has a digital clock. That is as far as it needs to go. I do fiddle with the engine CPU for more power of course..............
You have a turbo or nonturbo? Those Cobb AccessPort ECM modules are nice, five programs, switchable pretty much on the fly if the gas in your tank is up to it, from economy mode on regular unleaded with turbo boost disabled up to I believe 325 hp on 110 octane racing gas. You’d need a catback exhaust to make the most of it, Subaru boxer engines sound good with the right catback. I’ve got an 07 Legacy GT Limted wagon, it’s a fun and practical car. Friends on ski patrol had them in college, I liked them but it never entered my mind to buy one until this car.
For example,my car has a feature...which was optional and I *very* much wanted...that fully applies the brakes when sensors in the front of the car detect that a collision is imminent.
Reality is, big power in Hawaii is not of much use anyway, other than embarrassing Harley clowns..........
There was a period in the early-mid 2000’s when the usually very competent Subaru engineers inadvertantly blew a lot of turbos, good thing you dumped the up-pipe cat, as they age you can suck chunks of it into the turbo, boom.
Mine is largely stock barring the mods described, daily driver, just wanted to smooth it out and get the most out of the engine and turbo without making a beast of it. Exterior appearance is dead stock, factory 18” rims, low profile Contis. No suspension mods, I actually enjoy the cushiness of the soft bushings while still being well planted to the road, it’s an almost French approach to a car suspension, lol. It can get a little roly-poly at high speed (meaning very extralegal) but I have no need and little occasion so that’s OK.
I have seen this before:
If the wifi bugs you get the electrical manual and ground out the antenna leads with a jumper wire...its easy to break hi tech with lo tech
A lot to be said for starting with 2.5l and all that torque rather than wringing the neck of a 2.0l. Too many horror stories about blown transmissions, pistons, bearings. Yet another reason I am staying at my boost level. Think Subaru learned a lot from the early 2.0l cars, maybe why the STI showed up as a 2.5l from the start.
A STI would be great fun, though where I am now, a Jeep 4WD would be more useful as a plaything to go explore roads I dare not take the WRX, AWD or not. Of course the wife would never let her 4Runner touch rocks or dirt, and it is 2WD to boot.
I’ve been keeping an eye out for a distress sale for a 2.5 version of one of these,
http://www.JPS-motorsports.com/turnkey.html
Sort of a pipe dream for that sort of toy unless and until the economy turns around and I can start my business back up though. I honestly don’t see it happening any time soon.
Wouldn’t a turbo 2.5 be stupid fast in that light of a car, lol?
:-) my business is built around selling all that equipment for reprogramming & diagnostics. Including the Tactrix and the AccessPort items mentioned in the thread. Very neat stuff
Another brilliant manufacturer offers "on the fly" firmware updates over the air. Really cool when your car starts an update in the middle of the night when you're driving across the desert. Somebody forgot to check to see if the vehicle was being operated before doing the upgrade.
You're about to enter a whole new world have having bad guys trying to hack your car as well as incompetent manufacturers dropping bad updates on your very expensive new toy.
Another brilliant manufacturer offers "on the fly" firmware updates over the air. Really cool when your car starts an update in the middle of the night when you're driving across the desert. Somebody forgot to check to see if the vehicle was being operated before doing the upgrade.
You're about to enter a whole new world have having bad guys trying to hack your car as well as incompetent manufacturers dropping bad updates on your very expensive new toy.
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