Oddbean new post about login | logout OBD2 rules :p My Toyota can tell me where it hurts, with the aid of a computer. My (older) Mercedes can only blink codes, with difficulty. But otherwise I'm 100% in agreement. The "smart" Mazda I had was nightmare fuel.
OBD2 is the foundation that all the tracking BS is built on. Now new cars can spy on you and it's all being standardize and required by law. I'd take blinks over convenience that compromises my data.
OBD1 still used a serial protocol (early PWM) for most US manufacters, Bosch had their own system too. Same data just more work to get it out. OBD at least made it standardized what data a USER can access. OBD gives us access to memory directly if you know what to do with it.
I'm aware. But, standardization at the behest of regulators is ALWAYS bad for customers/owners of what should be private property. This all plays into the right to repair stuff. If you can't fix things yourself, you can't say you actually own the thing.
Doesn't matter what you own or build. The regulators can just revoke the insurance on any car that doesn't allow tracking. Then, you could own a car without tracking, but you can't drive it.
100%, I would too, but 2000s models give me convenience without tracking. I'd stock up, but I'm even more interested in open source ECUs.