You haven't experienced it, but this sort of thing does exist.

Want to replace your relatively simple Volvo throttle body with a junkyard pull? Nope, it's programmed to your VIN.

Similar for many radios. And the notoriously glitchy matrix display on the dash cluster of 90s BMW's.

Also, PCM and body control modules, and more I've forgotten.

While it is tied to the ECM, and requires specialized tools to recalibate or change, they are required to operate on the ODBII standard which means 3rd parties can and do create these tools (and aftermarket parts), it also means independent repair shops can and do make the repairs

Here John Deere is not simply accused of making it more complex, but prohibiting any and all repairs not authorized by their own propriety computer software.

Tying elements like radios to VINs is actually a result of extremely rampant theft in 90s and early 00s, and I would never consider it a bad thing. Annoying, yes, but it has eventually led to dramatic decrease in car break-ins and theft over the last 10 years.

Maybe theft decreased because radios were becoming worthless due to their mainstream installation into all cars ?

I think it's still an issue that starts when the first radio gets damaged. That creates a secondary market for replacement radios, so theft occurs. Then, the person owning the car where the radio was stolen is now looking in that same secondary market for a replacement...and the chain never stops.

Similar for things like 3rd row removable seats and tailgates on trucks. Craigslist and eBay have more of these for sale than would make sense if they weren't being stolen.

none of the things you said are an oil change.

Nope, you're right. Was responding to "never once been stymied by a computer" preceded by a list of things that were also not oil changes.

On my Smart the service reminder is similarly easy to reset. All i need to do is press and hold two buttons that are too far apart to be pressed by one hand while turning on the ignition on the center console.

I usually do it by pressing the indicator with my feet and turning the key by hand.

Could you give more details? I'm interested about it.

> [citation needed]

I'm sure it was hyperbole to an extent. I don't know enough about the practice of fixing cars to know where the line lies. I just know what he said.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

On 2 of my newer cars, they will not put out full power unless the oil change light is off. This is in a toyota with vvti. There is your example.

I completely agree, until you have a problem that requires you hook a scan tool up to that diagnostic link.

I have a snap-on mt2500, and two other generic scan tools. I can get hard codes on most vechicles. I can't get certain codes or repair information on many newer vechicles.

The problem arises when you have an intermittent problem, and need access into those propriatiatry systems. The dealerships get software updates, but automotive companies are not required to inform anyone that there's been an change to the existing software.

In states like CA, which are very strict with emissions; failing a smog check because you have on old version of firmware is beyond frustrating. Most people have no idea that the reason they failed is due to an older software. Most smog shops don't even have information the dealerships have. It's a lot of trial and error to get that vechicle to pass those smog checks. It's not right. It should violate The Sherman Anti-Trust Act?

There are many indepent Auto Shops that are hobbled.

They need access to at least the dealership scan tool. I believe Massachusetts is the only state that enacted a "Right to Repair" law. If you live in that state, you can buy expensive dealership repair manuals, and get the opportunity to spend thousands on their scan tools. Just to find out what system/lazy sensor/etc. is broken in a vechicle you bought?

Having to take you vechicle to only the dealership is---un-American?

I hope that you see this. Your comments have been being autokilled for the past 6 months, you've been shadowbanned. Going through your history - I wasn't able to quite figure out why, except the lengthiness of your replies. Perhaps you got flagged as a spammer by the system?

I thought you should know.

For me, nearly this entire page of comments show up as [dead]: https://news.ycombinator.com/threads?id=icantdrive55&next=12...