A recent article in the Orlando Sentinel got me wondering if my MINI has a Black Box like the one used by the Florida Highway Patrol in the article as listed below:

FHP investigators removed the so-called "black box" in the wrecked 2007 Chevrolet Silverado.
The computer chip controlling the airbag also records engine data.
It showed that the full-size pickup was going 78 mph one second before the crash, FHP's crash report states.
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Don't misunderstand me, I know there's no actual black box in my MINI.
What I'm wondering is if the onboard computer can actually record my speeds for later download.
If so, I may need to find a way to introduce a virus quickly in the event I get pulled over.

 

There was a story on one of the mini boards , A dealer told the parents of a child that the top speed was 115 MPH in the computer ,needless to say thechild lost his mini

 

As I understand it, the computer also records if the car is at top speed for a long period of time (not sure how long that is) and it triggers a flag called "race condition" which might or might not invalidate some of your warranty. I haven't read the contract in detail to speak to this.

 

I'm betting MINI's and probably all cars sold in the US have event data recorders "black boxes". Here's one link for more info:
http://www.motorists.org/edr/home/in...o-black-boxes/

As the NMA editorializes, who owns the data? Very murky legal questions, I know my position is that the owner of the car owns the data, and neither manufacturers or the government should be able to use the data against owners without legitimate reasons and/or probable cause.

 

After reading "The Red Wolf" link I think it's BIG Government looking out for us. The more Congress works (Federal, State & Local) the more they take.

 

With only having gone halfway through law school...and a husband who is a prosecutor....I AM NOT LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS INFORMATION.
BUT....
It would all depend on whether you were...
A. Being prosecuted by the state, in civil court, or in federal court, and
B. What the rules were in the state you were being prosecuted in or the federal court if you were in federal court.

PLUS they would have to subpoena the information properly in your jurisdiction if the car hadn't been taken as evidence already in some sort of criminal case (like a reckless driving or something).

HOWEVER -- if all you are worried about is the warranty (because we ALL drive our MINIs and Minis under legal conditions and NEVER break the law), then we don't have to worry about the above, now, do we???? And if all we are worried about is the warranty (which I'm sure we have all read top to bottom), then somewhere in the fine print I'm sure it says something about information gathering. If not, then get a lawyer when they try to get the box.

Just my two cents of non-legal, nonbinding, I'm-not-responsible-for-this information.

HAPPY LEGAL MOTORING!

Valerie

 

if you look in the manual it does say that there is a device that may record vehicle data...

 

Isn't that why when they plug your key into the computer they can tell you your top speed? I'm thinking there's quite a bit of data on that key. I was suprised when they plugged mine in the first time and started rattling off all my drivers info...

 

That is only the newer keys though, right? They have never commented on driving styles to me before.

 

This is why I use one of my keys only for service appointments.

 

I believe some data is stored, but I don't believe it's stored for long before it's over written with more data. It's not like there is a 1TB drive in our cars.

We will be seeing more & more of this in the future. GM is one of the manufactures that records data onto a so called black box. I'm not a fan of my car being able to tattle on me.

 

As long as there is not a donut counter, you will be fine.

 

The last time I was in for service I forgot & left 4 donuts on the gear shift lever. It was OK though, the tech ate the donuts & said nothing about me violating the donut clause in my warranty.