The Manual on the Hemi is very specific as to the oil change mileage periods, 3,000 miles when doing short trips on a regular basis and 6,000 miles if the car is used for long trips. My question is this: Is is possible for Daimler Chrysler to pull data from the engine ECU and come up with an average on trip miles should there be a warranty failure and a dispute over oil change intervals. I know the the police are requiring ECU data more and more, as are lawyers, where there has been a serious accident, so there is a considerable amount of data stored in the ECU. Anyone have any opinions.

 

I'm not sure if the ecu's as of yet are capable of recording and storing that type of info. I did hear that the next generation ecu's on Fords will have a program that will store information if the stock programs were altered at any point, thus putting the programmers in the same catagory as the physical chip add on.

 

Second question first:

I'll see if I can answer some of your concerns on data storage in the "little black box". These mainly record engine, brake, and speed data. Currently, GM has the most cars that have ODB II boxes (I think 45 models total) that can be accessed via a laptop. Additonally, with the GM cars equiped with the Onstar system, in the event of an accident, it AUTOMATICALLY calls GM and relays all pertinent data to them such as, if brakes were applied prior to impact, speed when brakes applied and speed at impact, engine RPM, gear vehicle was in, airbags deployed, etc etc. It records on a loop and keeps it on a 10 second cycle but will be required to be a 30 second cycle in the future but I don't know exactly when. Ford has the same thing but not in as many cars (currently around 15) and stores the same type of data and can be accessed via the same ODB II port. Daimler Chrysler, on the other hadn, HAS the recording unit, but it is encrypted, can not be accessed by the ODB I port, is only accessible by DC and has to be done at a plant, NOT a dealership, but WILL be set up like everyone else sometime in the next 2 - 3 years. This is being forced by a Federal mandate. Not good news but hope this helps a little.

First question last:

As far as I know, they do not track your oil changes but it DOES track RPM/Speed/etc, so if you are over revving your engine and blow it up, they WILL know!!

 

According to the owners manual (If you can beleive such things) the loop is 2 seconds before air bag deployment. Are there more seconds in there - gee I wouldn't bet against it. Also some Cadillac models were known for recording top speed driven - it would only take 1 measly buffer. And did you know OnStar (and others) can listen in to what you are saying in YOUR car whenever they want? Controllers listened in on a Mercedes stolen with two kids in the back to ascertain if they were still ok. Nowadays if in doubt assume they are recording it! Gotta love my 1969 GTO!

 

Pretty much any vehicle built with 2 stage air bags has the "black box". Beleive it or not it's not there to spy on you. Can it be used for that, sure? Can anybody access it, no?

No, DCX has no way of monitoring how many miles you go between oil changes.

Yeah, the onstar things freaks me out. "Hello, Mr Highway Patrol. This is onsatr, we have a customer going 90MPH (we know this based on the OBDII info being relayed to us) and his GPS shows him in a 45MPH zone. Shall we send you his grid coordinates?"

 

? for you dodgemech. Is there a reset or calibration on the passenger seat airbag sensors. When running my cables for the stereo, I removed the passenger seat. Now when there is noone in the seat the light for the passenger airbag stays on. When someone sits on it it goes out and acts normal. I have checked to make sure the plug is seated properly. I know it is making connection because it goes out when someone is sitting in it. I read the owners manual and says there are 4 sensors. I did power up the car without the seat to checkout the system before buttoning up the system. With all the damn computer ****, Im hoping it just needs a cal or reset. I am currently stuck at the base and only have internet and no stateside phone lines. I will be back in about a week to take it in to the dealer. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Only the dealer can recalibrate the seat. It is a PIA, involves 3 seperate weights totaling like 100 lbs (very specific in size and shape) and the Starscan which isn't available to the public.