I just learned about Secure Gateways. It’s a device that blocks access to the vehicle’s modules from the OBD2 port, or somehow ensures that a dealer scanner is being used before it will allow access.
“Automakers with security gateways installed include Stellantis (Dodge, Chrysler, Ram, Alfa Romeo, FIAT, and Maserati), Nissan and Infinity, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen and Audi.”
You do need to pay basically a license fee for those brand’s dealing with specific Years and models. Vw is a $120/yr others were about $60. Provided you have an approved scan tool such as an Autel tablet.
Hyundai made headlines for gate keeping rear brake pad services on certain ev’s without an appropriate scanner and software license which you had ti be a licensed shop to access.
Right to repair is an important topic across the board.
Do you think that’s a good thing or a bad thing?
Having to pay a subscription to service or perform repair on a vehicle, in addition to the giant ret__ded tablets sticking out of the dash distracting my view, is another reason for me to avoid buying any car from 2016 or later.
@ChrisTheTireWhisperer sounds like you won’t be getting a modern car with advanced safety features and good fuel economy
Your choice, mechanics pay for Aldata access on a yearly basis for more than this. A years diy subscription for one vehicle was about $120/yr last I checked.
He’ll have to get an older car with advanced safety features and fuel economy.
It’ll be an older car with few safety features and so-so fuel economy
Such as that holy grail 1997 Toyota Camry that @bcohen2010 is crowing about
It’s true that the side airbags are only available on the V6. The 4 cylinder manual transmission should get 29MPG average.
For a man, the 1997 Camry has better survival than most other vehicles of similar weight in frontal crashes.
Yeah, like a 2014 Honda CRV or Civic!
Those are both 12-year old cars you mentioned
12 years, that’s a blink of an eye to me pal 
Say, why is it that folks older than me like newer stuff, where as I like older stuff?
Because we understand progress and innovation.
Does the 1997 Camry alert the driver if he is drifting out of his lane? Does the 1997 Camry take preventive measures to stop you from driving into that school bus in the first place? Isn’t it better to avoid the accident in the first place?
Aren’t access and information just tools to be used during the repair process, just like a jack or a wrench or screwdriver? Don’t you have to buy those things as you need them?
Some people want to walk up to their car, put the key in the door and turn it to open the door. Some people want to walk up to their car and press a button on the key fob to open the door. Some people want to walk up to their car, have the car recognize the fob that stays in their pocket, and open the door that unlocked automatically. Some people don’t want the fuss of a key fob at all and use only their smart phone to unlock and drive their car, leaving the fob at home.
Some people want to get in the car, slide the seat up and adjust the mirrors, and turn the key to start the car. Some people want the car to recognize their key fob and adjust the seats and mirrors for them. Some people want the facial recognition camera to recognize them and set the seats, mirrors, climate control, and Sirius radio to their favorite settings.
I’m not advocating one method or another. 3 of the 4 cars at my house use keys in the ignition. But more and more people are choosing modern technology. You can keep up with the times or you can be left behind. It’s not personal, it’s the inevitable march of time.
+1
As Lee Iacocca famously said, “Lead, follow, or get out of the way”.
A lot of fatalities take place in the not at fault vehicle. For DUI related fatalities excluding single vehicle crashes, I believe it is more.
It is better to avoid in the first place. That’s probably how any insurance company would look at the situation. But these accident prevention features are more important to have on the other vehicle on the road than on yours. That’s the whole problem.
+1 Also, the steering wheel!
When I drive a loaner car from the dealership, the first thing that I do after I adjust the seat, mirrors, and steering wheel is to use the memory setting so that I don’t have to do any further adjustments when I am driving that vehicle.
+1
The last time that I had a car accident was in 1970, so it’s fairly obvious that I haven’t made too many mistakes behind the wheel during the ensuing 56 years. But, being a fallible human being, I could make a mistake at any time. As a result, I appreciate having backup systems in place… just in case.
IMO, anyone who thinks that he is incapable of making any mistakes behind the wheel is suffering from a potentially-fatal case of Hubris.
Only diagnostic tools that have been authenticated and non-malicious can access security or safety systems on vehicles with gateway protection. The is not a process just for the purpose of collecting a fee.
New vehicles come enabled with the latest advanced security measures to protect vehicle owners from cyber attacks. AutoAuth works with independent Tool Vendors to ensure tools are AutoAuth certified. This allows Independent Operators to continue to service Security Gateway enabled vehicles.
This is good news for those who oppose vehicle theft. This might also prevent “Tuners” from loading software that elevates vehicle tailpipe emission output.
Not so good news for back yard mechanics who want to misdiagnose their electronic problems on their own.
So it’s always on the other guy, huh?
That’s a real mature attitude to have in life
How’s that working out for you?