More than just a key

[GrahamC230K]

I discovered some innovation that I was otherwise unaware of yesterday.

I know modern vehicle keys are pretty advanced in terms of security and I already knew our BMW keys charged their battery whilst in the ignition and stored audio and climate control perferences etc. I'm also sure (MB too no doubt) keys have stored memory seat positions too for some time and I expect many manufacturers have some variation of this.

But the use of technology that while I suppose is quite simple really with today's potential, was one that I thought brought a simple and worthwhile convenience to customer service.

Sat in front of the BMW service desk in the dealership, I am asked for my key. When presented it was slotted into a device connected to the computer. Up pops the cars details, including miles to service etc etc. I am told newer models include detail such as if the seat belt has been worn, if the fuel is down to the reserve or not and fault codes if they have been thrown.

No more forgetting your registration, not knowing how many miles are on the clock, miles to service etc. The service receptionist even knows the fault codes before the car enters the workshop!

It was a practical application of technology that struck me as pretty neat.

 

[pint6x]

and it's one short step from there to the police having a similar docking station, where your key will tell them where you've been, what your average speed has been, where you've exceeded the speed limit, how many miles you did before renewing your MOT etc.

Big brother is watching you.......

 

[GrahamC230K]

I was waiting for to tell me I had gone over the NSL on the way there!

 

[st4]

and it's one short step from there to the police having a similar docking station, where your key will tell them where you've been, what your average speed has been, where you've exceeded the speed limit, how many miles you did before renewing your MOT etc.

Big brother is watching you.......

Exactly, and we as British motorists need to be aware of this tech and the issues that go with it.

 

[recycled]

well as they say if you have nothing to fear.

I do have a lot to fear.

 

[st4]

well as they say if you have nothing to fear.

I do have a lot to fear.

Thats because you're more switched on than most....(not just because you've been reading my posts :bannana

 

[glojo]

The instant I read your post I just knew what was coming and......... from whom.

How many posts have we read where members claim there car had been used whilst left with the service department?

It sounds a great idea with numeroud advantages, but lots of 'What if' big brother suggestions\allegations\conspiracy theories.

Me thinks that this thread will:

Regards
John

 

[recycled]

In that case, i'll get my hat .
does it mean if your key is stolen, it can be used for ID fraud with the details?
can you clone the car and driver as well with the key DNA?
can you open the house garage door as well with this key.
can it be used to trace your childrens school on the school run, to see if they are in the catchment area?

Is this device hooked up to the DNA / DVLA database and can it be used to check parking fines/ outstanding warrants?

I'll get my jacket.

 

[st4]

The instant I read your post I just knew what was coming and......... from whom.

How many posts have we read where members claim there car had been used whilst left with the service department?

It sounds a great idea with numeroud advantages, but lots of 'What if' big brother suggestions\allegations\conspiracy theories.

Me thinks that this thread will:

Regards
John

John, there is a very simple way to determine whether your car was used in the service dept:

Record the milliage before it goes in for service, and then when it leaves. If its covered miles and you haven't been driving it, then you know if its been used. Simple brains and a simple bit of maths.

So no need for owners to have these fancy keys for a spot of MB service dept checking up on. A simple odometer will suffice

The big brother is very much an issue if the police decide to use your cars on board computer date to prosecute you. These electronic devices aid this surveillence culture IMHO if they fall into the wrong hands.

 

[hawk20]

Wonder what a new key costs if you lose it?

 

[whitenemesis]

Wonder what a new key costs if you lose it?

3 months suspended and 100hrs community service

 

[grober]

Wonder what a new key costs if you lose it?

Think of a number and treble it.

Overheard conversation in a couple of years time:-
Customer:-
Look its fascinating to know I have worn my seat belt 1035 times since the car was last serviced but have you solved the starting problem?
Service Desk:-
Well Sir----- Bob's off sick and Jim who normally does these things is off on holiday this week which means there's nobody left who knows how to set up the satellite link to BAVARIA to get the latest software upgrade for the ECU.

Despite this you may also be interested to know your nearside passenger door was opened a total of 7 times last month- -------well that's until the SAM unit controlling all the door locks went down---- no we don't carry these in stock normally --- they have to ordered from Germany--security you know--- we'll get right on that as soon as Jim gets back next week. In the meantime to get things moving could you fill in this form in triplicate ----- I would particularly direct your attention to the paragraph starting --"Are you now, or have you ever, been a member of Al Qaeda?"

 

[recycled]

and a polite letter requesting you to state who was driving at xyz time as we can see you were on the m6 at lattitude 46N and xxSE and you briefly went to 80mph and also you parked at this street in november and the screen sensor did not detect a parking ticket stuck on the windscreen or on the dash.
By law we are obliged not to carry out any service or repairs without informing the authorities which may or may not cost a max of XXXXX + VAT as your vehicle is now a crime scene and will need to be confiscated by law.

 

[Gollom]

Gotta love the conspiracy theorists on here!

:bannana:

 

[GrahamC230K]

Love or loathe, one of the two.

 

[recycled]

All in good fun

 

[recycled]

3 months suspended and 100hrs community service

Still better than £60 and 3 points, (or is it?)

 

[WLeg]

Can your own car be used in evidence against yourself ?

(don't the Americans call the the 5th Amendment ) ?

 

[glojo]

Gotta love the conspiracy theorists on here!

:bannana:

To keep this relatively on topic and ignoring the hysteria from the:

'What if' brigade.

Approximately ten years ago. Yup TEN YEARS ago we purchased a new Mercedes-Benz. From the outset my wife complained about an awful vibration that was to her totally unacceptable.

The car went back to the dealer, they played with it for a few weeks, gave it back to us to see if the situation had improved but Nope. The vibration was still there.

Communication then took place between myself, the dealership and Mercedes-Benz UK. After a week or so an engineer came down from Milton Keynes with a nice little lap top. He connected this gizzmo to our vehicle and the result was reams and reams of paper that disclosed EVERYTHING that car had done in its short history. When I asked what this information was the engineer smiled and stated he could see everything the engine had done, maximum revs, individual compression ratios, the list just went on and on, but the bottom line I believe was that he was checking to see if the vehicle had been modified\chipped etc. Since that date I smile at the members of this forum who advise folks that chip there engines take them off before complaining about problems (some of whom are the anti big brother brigade)

This Big Brother monitoring of our cars has been going on for years, but I defy any of our scare mongers to name one instance of the police simply going on a 'fishing trip' and using this technology.

To me it is an extra aide and of course we can note the mileage before handing over the car, we can if we want even manually tune a car radio, but I prefer to use modern technology and let a chip remember my settings.

What information do our Big Brother brigade believe is already held in our cars or dealership database? I suspect they would be surprised, but I doubt they would return their new cars and say they object, give me a Morris 1000!

What if?

What if?

What if we loose our door keys?

What information would a burglar find if they broke into our homes?

Life is FAR too short to worry about a thousand and one What if's. Instead of worrying I suggest we enjoy life, take advantage of technology and smile.

What if the World is flat

Doomed, we're all doomed

 

[SilverSaloon]

Wonder what a new key costs if you lose it?

around £150 - i know because i had to buy one for my 7 series.

... then 2 weeks later, i found the "lost one" behind the radiator!! bloody kids!