strokin7.3

Idiocracy is probably the best movie to describe Americas future... Or maybe even the now.

redknight1

I wasn't saying I agree with the manufacturers decisions. i was just explaining that as of now it is mainly cars software. I agree with the forum in saying that I think this is stupid on the manufacturers part

caperJ

Overall everything in the NA world today is about revenue. Can you IMAGINE what sort of revenues this would generate. Forget you rights and think about REVENUE.

cthusker

Then those Mfg should be required to warranty ALL the electronic stuff for the LIFE of the vehicle! They want to make it illegal to work on it so it should be on their dime to fix it! I'll bet they wouldn't support that idea! When the warranty expires there are MANY people perfectly capable of repairing it which might require reflashing for starters. Can you imagine IF only your dealership could do that? OK that will be 3 grand for the reflash. This is all about enhancing their bottom line. Right now it's supposed to void your warranty which is far as they should be able to go.

If I want to REPAIR my computer it's on me... nothing illegal involved. They void the warranty but please stop trying to make it illegal to work on ANYTHING I own... end of story. Don't think it's going to happen but then anything is possible with the dirtbags in DC.

jpaytoncfd

It wont happen, Apple tried this with the Iphone. They wanted to make it illegal to "jailbreak" your phone. But once you have purchased the software you own it. You can do what ever you want with it. You can modify the code until your hearts content and all they can do is void your warantee. Its only illegal if your try to redistribute their software after its been modified, free or not.

learningneverends

One positive sign is existing case law regarding automotive paint colors or codes. Courts have ruled that manufactures have to allow all body shops access to use of 'there' colors. I don't know if this means they cant patent the exact color or they have to make it public what makes the color what it is so smaller body shops have access to it. At least this is what I have been told. Who knows if its true.

11Series

This is always the counter-argument: “You can always revert to manual control if you want to.”

I see this option lasting for about 20 minutes in the real world. As soon as one person crashes their car in manual mode when they had an auto driving mode they chose not to use, they will get sued out of existence. Insurance companies will then team up with environmentalists and anyone else who hates cars and put a stop to the manual driving feature – or at least make it illegal to use on public roads.

shortride

iTrader: (1)

Not being able to do as much work on your own vehicle has gradually been coming around for several years with all of the higher tech stuff on our vehicles. There's really very little that one can do them-self on these truck even now. Maybe a brake job, replace the exhaust system and change the oil is just about the limit anymore.

Theocoog

Ford can't even fix SYNC. Their support of this is ludicrous.

winchested

I do all my own work on my truck aside from certain parameters of the ECU that can only be accessed by Ford's IDS software.

Anything else on these trucks can be done by a perfectly competent person with the right tools and know how.

I've done all my own suspension work, brakes, drive shafts installed my own 4" Full drop bracket lift.

It just takes tools and a brain.