I just saw a news show about EDRs(Electronic Data Recorders)... Black Box. It Said 65% of newer cars have them and they record speeds and other data much like an airplane black box. This can be used by law enforcement, insurance companies, etc. I have to look through my manual, but does anyone know if the Z has one, and if so, has anyone removed it? Said that they are installed usually away from engine where they could be destroyed in an accident. Think about the implications this device could have. It bothers me.

 

Not sure there is any in our cars but I wouldn't be surprised if soon they'll be required in order to have insurance.

 

I've heard about them. I was told that my 2000 Sierra had one. It supposidly records the final speed of upon impact.

 

I think we might have em'

 

They record the final 10-45 seconds of vehicle information until some sort of impact, so that it can be used in accident investigations. If you are in an accident, you can refuse to allow them to retrieve the info recorded, but the investigators can get that info with a warrant. It records things like speed, braking, rpms, if you were speeding up or slowing down, and a few other things. Nothing really to be worried about unless you are in a bad accident.

 

I know they were installed in GM cars, but I haven't heard of them in Japanese built cars yet.

 

They are standard in the Scion tC, and record many parameters besides the ones mentioned above.

 

nope, no black boxes in our cars.

 

If you have airbags you already have a data recorder. There have already been many cases of the info recorded in the airbag computer comming up in trial.

The airbag computer will record as many variables about the car as it can right up to and after a crash. Car companies can then use this to design safer airbag systems. The "data recorder" is just a side effect.

From what I understand there are some companies that are now recording the same data in the ECU. The insurance company or law enforcement agency can ODBII it right from under your dash.

Remember, they are trying to save you from yourself...