http://www.businessweek.com/idg/2010-05-14/car-hackers-can-kill-brakes-engine-and-more.html ( Car Hackers )
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/science/14hack.html ( Car Hackers )
Cars’ Computer Systems Called at Risk to Hackers
Cars’ Computer Systems Called at Risk to Hackers
(11 posts) (5 voices)-
goodgotd
MemberEver consider what one EMP burst would do to the transportation system in this country these days? Used to be just airliners at risk.
And Who Needs Hackers? Bad programming or computer failure would do really well.
The current (since, oh, 16 years ago and more) cars the single computer module runs everything from engine timing and fuel mix to transmission shifts and anti-lock braking, not to mention the explosives in the airbags and in the seat belt retractor systems.
(most people don't realize that just barely before the airbags detonate a similar charge yanks them back against the seats- hard.)
do try not to have your seat belt near your throat, folks!
And don't forget the 'can't stop accelerating' problems that toyota had/has- it could hit *any* car.
(the ABS systems only *modulates* [pulses] the brakes.
they are still *fully* usable with old-fashioned dual-piston hydraulic systems if you lose power, though braking takes a lot more foot pressure and the car gets real hard to steer when the engine cuts out... but the starter system is still as advanced as a brick. Just harder to get apart and fix than a '50 chevy.)
Posted 14 years ago # -
samm
MemberWow goodgotd, I'm a short person and I always have to drive pulling on the seat belt which is always at my throat. Good info though. I'll try and remember it all. I have had to stop a car when the engine cut off, was worse than driving a (I call them bust builders) car with no power steering.
Posted 14 years ago # -
goodgotd
MemberYou should be able (and by all that's unholy, you *should*, reallly soon- it's a literal killer risk) to get someone to relocate the upper swivel lower so it goes across your shoulder. and *never* across your neck. it can snap your neck or crush your windpipe. if it doesn't cause a rupture of your carotid artery/vein complex.
A good (preferably factory, but good luck on like- saturn?) mechanic should have the info to deactivate the airbag/reel system if it puts the driver at risk, at the *very* least.
Your car owner's manual is supposed to have a way described to deactivate the passenger side pyro if it's new enough- that's why they say put baby seats in the rear seat if you can't turn that side's airbag off, it can kill the kid.
I've heard there is a way to deactivate the driver's airbag (though I don't know if it kills the reels) for overweight or short people who are sitting too close to the steering wheel for it to start deflating, or can't wear the seatbelt in the right spot.
If it has airbags, *very* probably- if it has a passenger airbag *certainly*- both retraction reels have explosive-driven tighteners.
and they move *fast*.
Airbags have to have 2-3 holes like 2-3" across in them to keep from breaking your neck when they deploy, they are literally deflating before you hit them. I've seen the slo-mo, and the full speed, and it scares me out of my diapers.
Right freakin' scary if you're a mechanic working around the steering wheel- and you don't have the deactivation instructions. I know- I've worked the hard way on the ignition switch in our 1997 Saturn SW2, which the manual says to 'safety and remove the airbag, then remove the steering wheel' to get to (I did it without any of that, but it was a stone bear) the ignition switch to get the cylinder out.
"Air" bags and "gas producer units" my hairy behind- those are explosives.
Posted 14 years ago # -
copmom
MemberWe just had to take our Honda CRV to the dealers for a drivers side airbag recall for models 2002 & up! Ours is a 2002. The letter stated a malfunction could cause metal fragments to cause injury or death to the driver!! Wasn't in the mood to die just yet, so had it done. First they had to order the part, then said expect to be there at least 4 hours. Learned the whole shop shuts down from 12-1 for their lunch.. wasted hour! Set it for 1:30 and we were out by 2:15! Fastest service I've ever had.
Posted 14 years ago # -
goodgotd
MemberAnd they oughta be dang glad you didn't start talking right nasty about risk penalties to you for them having had you drive around for the last 7 years in front of a shotgun shell in the steering wheel, primed to go off if you bumped into a car ahead of you. or had one back *into* you.
I would have considered it most intently when I got that letter.... it should have made you wonder when they actually did the job *faster* than they estimated it!
Amazing what curiosity and a little research can do to your state of mind.... often in a negative fashion. Knowing how things work in the first place helps, but what got me looking hard was an episode of How it's Made or How do they do it? on the science channel with a segment on design, testing, redesign (the first try killed the crash test dummy) and manufacture of the 'airbags'- and a small sub-segment showed the retraction pyro assembly going in.
Serious "Oh, CR*P" moment when I realized my wife would have very probably been killed by the "safety features" in our 1997 saturn station wagon in a relatively minor bump.
It painted a very *bad* mental image of the aftermath of hitting an idiot. Since I can't drive and am taller and less rotund. And would have survived just fine. Until I turned my head to the left. Physically ok, that is.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Anonymous
UnregisteredI just stop useing my old Car Datsun 180B ( 160 in the USA ) as it Got smash some one did a turn in front of me so end of Car so get a very Good Car well Good in New Zealand it a Mitsubishi Magna 2.6 i Sedan TR Series year 1994 all so sold as Diamante No airbags No ASB Brakes just the Engine & Auto I don't Like outmatic as most of the time drive manual gear box if it a truck with 20 speed Auto is ok.
Posted 14 years ago # -
goodgotd
Memberwell, if I could afford to replace the steering box, (and the gas- 10 mpg loaded or full) I'd take my chances in a 1970 International Harvester 1200D 3/4 ton pickup. which I have.
alas, the PTB won't allow me to disarm my own car- if it had it stock it has to be working- but the v-345 engine will pull it just about up a wall.
Posted 14 years ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.