3 chapters across the catalog
Auto Start-Stop Technology, Emission Standards and Tesla Tracking
The prevalence of auto start-stop technology in modern vehicles is identified as a tactic to meet strict European emission standards. The hosts share personal anecdotes about the dangers and annoyances of this feature, particularly on steep hills. The discussion extends to how companies like Tesla track driver data and the future of automated traffic enforcement.
Vehicle Black Boxes and 2020 Smog Regulations
An anonymous donor provides technical details on how vehicle "black boxes" (airbag computers) function as event data recorders. The donor warns that upcoming 2020-2021 smog regulations will require all vehicle computers to remain untouched, effectively banning aftermarket tuning products. They mention new "rolling rainbow encryption" that will prevent unauthorized software modifications and could eventually be used to issue retroactive speeding tickets.
EU Vehicle Tracking Mandate and Speeding Tickets
The European Union is passing laws requiring tracking devices in all new vehicles, ostensibly for emergency services. There is concern that this data will eventually be used by governments to issue speeding tickets during routine inspections or by insurance companies to mandate monitoring as a condition of coverage.
