In America, Manufacturers Want Car Owners To Stop Repairing/servicing/modifying Their Own Cars

[PranK]

In this article on Autoblog.com there is a claim being made by automakers/manufacturers that there should be rules in place to stop people from tinkering with their own cars.

This is based on legal issues face by the corporations.

While I partially agree as the quality of a lot of parts can significantly jeopardise the quality and safety of your car (ie, "chips" available via eBay) - your car then dies after a short life and the manufacturer must then do something to aid you as it was their product. This is an issue.

But, a lot of us research and make sure we have quality products and we dont just put anything on our cars and their is no long-term (or short-term) risks associated.

What do you think?

[jiffo]

Thin edge of the wedge, already here in Aus. trucking industry.

Drivers aren't permitted to do brake adjustments.

This is such a simple/basic job, tightening slack adjusters and while you were under there you had a bit of a look at springs, track rod bushes etc.

It was as sensible as kicking tyres before climbing in the cab but the legal people have decided it must be done by an "expert".

We now have steerers behind the wheel, not drivers.

[GTR_JOEY]

Sounds like they are trying to make more money through servicing. That's where they really make their money

[Daleo]

What a load of crap; this is all about destroying the aftermarket industry.

All consumers will be able to do is have their car serviced by the manufacturer; using exorbitantly expensive OEM parts, fitted by overpriced service centres.

And once the manufacturer has determined that they aren't going to support that product any longer, you'll have to throw it away; like a broken refrigerator. It's the first step on mandatory programmed obsolescence of everything we own.

Once all the non-dealership mechanics are gone; do you think servicing cars will get cheaper? NO f**kING WAY.

The are trying to guarantee continuing revenue streams; but they want to lock in every step of the process.

How it looks, how it goes, how much it costs to run, how much it costs to maintain, who you can engage to do it; and finally, how long you can use it for.

The carmaker will own your car (and you) from the moment you purchase it until the moment they decide to switch it off, and force you to buy another.

And our governments are already supporting this control of consumers.

[Daleo]

Current model Audi cars (due to the use of electronic handbrake) require the use of a scan tool to retract the rear brake pistons to replace the pads; a mate who works for a brake specialist was refused any assistance from Audi, unless he paid over $800 to a stealership.
They also told him that the car's warranty was void because "specialist safety work" had not been undertaken by Audi, and they couldn't guarantee the quality of the workmanship.

Three hours on the internet looking for a procedure, and a software patch for the scan tool; and they were able to reset the dash light and replace the brake pads, which were a $250 part.

Imagine if Audi could sue the mechanic and the scan tool maker for breach of copyright?

What about the bloke in the US who was quoted $4400 for a replacement battery pack for his Prius?

He was able to simply clean the terminals and busbars in the battery pack and it was fixed in a few hours with basic tools.

Sorta serves him right for having a Prius, but it proves that with ingenuity and innovation we don't have to be at their mercy. Now they want to change the rules and use the law to penalise clever innovative individuals.

Imagine if Toyota could sue him for using "non genuine parts" to repair his car?

http://jalopnik.com/the-dealer-wanted-4-400-to-fix-his-hybrid-he-did-it-h-1685721487

[Hertz Donut]

Sadly, "engineered obsolescence" has been gaining momentum in many product areas for a while now. I have a 26 year old 14in CRT TV that is only now starting to have issues (brightness changes randomly while it warms up) despite it being used pretty much every night, often for several hours. My 13 year old 29in CRT TV operates flawlessly and always has. I would be surprised if any of the TVs being churned out these days would make it past 10 years without a single issue, maybe even past 5 for some of the lower-spec ones. Same story for fridges, washing machines and so on.

Cars are heading that way too - why build something that will only bring you revenue right at the start? Why not crank it out with more and more gadgets that require more and more specialised servicing by an approved network? This is why my project car is a boat anchor from the mid '90s - it won't have much technowizardry in it but at least I can change the oil without having to book it into a dealership a week ahead, and I won't require OEM diagnostic equipment to turn off a bloody service light.

[luke gtr]

There are some things people don't understand or take into consideration......

That primus battery, is a 200v multi pack battery that can literally kill you.

There are a couple of safe guards in place, but the possibility remains.

Someone's uncles brother Joe bob changes brake pads at home because he has changed a spare wheel once.

If anything happens, he is now liable, not the factory.

As a mechanic, you take the liability of any system worked on.

Eg, brake caliper bolt falls out, brakes don't work, car has a fatal accident.

The mechanic can(and will) go to jail for negligence /man slaughter.

I agree with the fact you should be able to choose any QUALIFIED mechanic.

Going back to the factory should NOT be mandatory.

/Rant

[Redline_GTR]

Can already see some valid points brought up.

I do agree it is about the quality of work so a qualified person.

In saying so the problem with people doing this at home is the portion who are not educated and will therefore blame the manufacturer or other qualified mechanic if something goes wrong.

Another example of taking things out of the buyers hand is the no oil dip stick such as on the European cars.

[Trex]

On the same hand though redline. I know of a dealership in Sydney who has had over 5 cases of the sump plug not being tight enough causing engine failure, all within the space of a month.

It would have been beneficial for the dealership to have outsourced. (Or get smarter employees)

I'll be damned if I'm going to pay an extra $100 for an oil and filter change because it's at a dealership.

[Redline_GTR]

Ah yes that is also true.

So would also need to question the quality of work from dealerships as well or as you said get some more well educated employees.

Again having someone not educated working on your car (at home, dealership or other mechanic) will not help in resolving or fixing issues or servicing.

So again yes it is not necessary to go back to the dealerships but still having an educated person work on the car being either yourself or other quality mechanic.

[eightsixboy]

Daleo:

Why would Audi, or any manufacturer for that matter just help out random workshops to work on there cars? That's the whole point of having a service department and how companies make money. If they don't get the customers coming back for the servicing the wont make any money.

The problem is people buy these expensive ass cars but can't afford the servicing, so end up going to ultra tune or brakes plus to get the work done, yet somehow expect the manufacturer to just be like, "yea that's fine, we'll warrant any work done by these numpties".

Edited April 21, 2015 by eightsixboy