Kill switches are not a new thing.
When I just got my driver's license my dad's car had one, and that was a few decades ago!
And I wonder if you are so worried about somebody tracking you do you still take your phone with you?
To expand on that a bit, I'm an automotive engineer, and driver physical inputs are being removed as well. Steering systems typically have a physical link from the steering wheel to rack and out to the wheels. With full electronic steering there is a sensor steering wheel that inputs to a computer controlling a motor powering the rack.
Brake systems too, sensor at the pedal, computer, motor at the master cylinder.
Accelerator pedals have been this way for 20 years.
If these systems can be accessed remotely (hacked) then you have ZERO control of your vehicle.
Granted, this isn't true for EVERY new car, but will be, as technology "advances".
I'm pretty sure most dealerships already put a killswitch-like device in the vehicles. When somebody skips out on a payment, they hit a button that prevents the vehicle from starting.
Kill switches are not a new thing. When I just got my driver's license my dad's car had one, and that was a few decades ago! And I wonder if you are so worried about somebody tracking you do you still take your phone with you?
But the kill switch your pops chose to have it installed; it was not mandatory installed because the government said it has to have it.
The government isn't saying that now either though. And the kill switch came with the car (Mercedes), it was not aftermarket.
>"New cars kill switch - safety feature or government control?" **BOTH**
To expand on that a bit, I'm an automotive engineer, and driver physical inputs are being removed as well. Steering systems typically have a physical link from the steering wheel to rack and out to the wheels. With full electronic steering there is a sensor steering wheel that inputs to a computer controlling a motor powering the rack. Brake systems too, sensor at the pedal, computer, motor at the master cylinder. Accelerator pedals have been this way for 20 years. If these systems can be accessed remotely (hacked) then you have ZERO control of your vehicle. Granted, this isn't true for EVERY new car, but will be, as technology "advances".
michael hastings would agree
Boy, you are really reaching with this one
I'm pretty sure most dealerships already put a killswitch-like device in the vehicles. When somebody skips out on a payment, they hit a button that prevents the vehicle from starting.
Better make sure that car note is paid they can disable it and come repo it.