Re:Tesla remotely converts battery pack, cutting 1/3 of range
by cameronh90 on Tuesday July 26, 2022 @03:03PM
(#32242494)
In the UK, many modifications are restricted. For example, if I was to replace my halogen car headlights with LED ones, the car would be technically illegal, uninsured and fail inspection (if they notice). Exhausts can't be noisier than factory, which means in practice all aftermarket sports exhausts are illegal.
At some point, I assume modifying drive-by-wire systems will become legally restricted.
Re:Tesla remotely converts battery pack, cutting 1/3 of range
by HWR_14 on Tuesday July 26, 2022 @03:30PM
(#32242809)
Are those modifications illegal or is driving it on public roads after those modifications illegal?
Re:Tesla remotely converts battery pack, cutting 1/3 of range
by muttled on Tuesday July 26, 2022 @03:28PM
(#32242784)
In the US, for a while, car manufacturers could void your warranty over modifications. Something happened some-odd years back that made it so that they had to prove that the modification is what caused the issue to refuse service.
Re:Tesla remotely converts battery pack, cutting 1/3 of range
by jjav on Tuesday July 26, 2022 @03:48PM
(#32243034)
1975 Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
https://www.autocare.org/government-relations/current-issues...
Re:Tesla remotely converts battery pack, cutting 1/3 of range
by pskinner on Tuesday July 26, 2022 @05:29PM
(#32244321)
Well that's just not true.
Re:Tesla remotely converts battery pack, cutting 1/3 of range
by AinderS on Tuesday July 26, 2022 @03:14PM
(#32242635)
You are talking about something subtly but crucially different. Replacing your headlights is not illegal, only the type of headlight you use is legally restricted. Modification itself is not legally restricted, only the end result.
Re:Tesla remotely converts battery pack, cutting 1/3 of range
by kube-system on Tuesday July 26, 2022 @04:20PM
(#32243442)
Yeah, a better example is modifications to homes. Those are restricted in many places in the US. I can't replace a circuit in my homes wiring, even if I follow every code.
Re:Tesla remotely converts battery pack, cutting 1/3 of range
by marssaxman on Friday July 29, 2022 @07:13PM
(#32282748)
Who is going to stop you?
Re:Tesla remotely converts battery pack, cutting 1/3 of range
by AinderS on Tuesday July 26, 2022 @04:34PM
(#32243624)
But even in that case, the restriction comes from law, not an arbitrary decision made by a private company.
Re:Tesla remotely converts battery pack, cutting 1/3 of range
by Ajedi32 on Tuesday July 26, 2022 @05:20PM
(#32244203)
And there are a number of competing, qualified, third party electricians who can make the change for you. You aren't locked-in to contracting with the company which originally built the house.
Re:Tesla remotely converts battery pack, cutting 1/3 of range
by jsight on Tuesday July 26, 2022 @03:30PM
(#32242815)
Sadly, a lot of people disagree with you and do want much heavier regulations for a lot of those things.
Re:Tesla remotely converts battery pack, cutting 1/3 of range
by yarg on Tuesday July 26, 2022 @06:57PM
(#32245124)
These seem largely to be straw-men; brake rotors, pads, headlights.... all have associated safety standards.
You can install your own brake pads sure, but as a layman if you installed brake pads of your own design and construction, it might be a bit of an issue.
Re:Tesla remotely converts battery pack, cutting 1/3 of range
by oittaa on Tuesday July 26, 2022 @03:16PM
(#32242659)
In EU many modifications are illegal and you'll get huge fines and/or lose your vehicle.
Re:Tesla remotely converts battery pack, cutting 1/3 of range
by henkslaaf on Tuesday July 26, 2022 @04:11PM
(#32243342)
Nitpick: the modifications aren't illegal. Driving with some modifications is illegal
You can modify your car to your heart's desire and put it in a garage or drive it on a race track. You just cannot go into a public road with them. Totally sensible.
Re:Tesla remotely converts battery pack, cutting 1/3 of range
by oittaa on Tuesday July 26, 2022 @05:16PM
(#32244148)
Yeah, that's a better way to put it. But the end result for an average person is that on public roads you know that the vehicles are at least somewhat standard. You just can't go around trying to kill pedestrians or bicyclist because "muh freedom". [1]
* Illegal to replace your own brake rotors or pads, as faulty ones can cause safety issues.
* Illegal to replace your own headlights, as bad ones could be too dim or too bright and cause safety issues.
* Illegal to change your own oil, as bad ones could seize up your engine in the middle of the road and cause safety issues.
* Illegal to install a turbocharger, as that makes your car accelerate faster than the manufacturer likes and could cause safety issues.
The end result of this line of thinking leads to a million dollar tractor that a farmer can't fix when they need it most. I much prefer the idea that people are individually responsible for any modifications they choose to make to their cars.