does anyone know how long the event data recorder in the z stores date for??

i had a a meeting w the curb and i dont want the dealer to know about the accident bc its a lease and they will prob try to screw me somehow. the parts were all replaced by original nissan parts but they weren't installed by the dealer.

thanks

 

Carfax already knows about it. Dealer doesn't need a EDR. Unless the repair was flawless, a good tech can spot that there's been work done.

 

The EDR in the Z only records 5 seconds before and after an airbag deployment. The GTR is the only Nissan with VSDR (Vehicle Status Data Recorder). According to Nissan, it records "more than a few days, but less than a week" of data. They won't divulge the exact amount of time. If you want more info, the 9/22/08 issue of Autoweek has a 2 page article.

 

What year Z's have them? I checked carefully for my 03 and couldn’t find evidence it had one.

 

I think he was asking for how long it retains the data, not how much time is recorded. It probably stays in the EDR until a future event overwrites it.

 

It started in 05. At least that's the first manual to make any mention of it.

 

Just so I understand, if the dealer asks you whether the car had been in an accident of any kind you are planning on saying "no"?

I'll be sure to put you on my list of forum members never to buy/sell from.

 

I would think carfax would only know if it goes through insurance

 

In the case of the EDR, my understanding is that it stays until it's overwritten by another event. However, nothing is recorded unless the airbags went off. There will be not data about hitting the curb. The VSDR is always recording, so there's always data saved.

Nissan started using them in '05. Every '09 Nissan has one. GM started in '00. The Koreans (Hyundai, Kia) are pretty much the only companies sold in the US not using them. By 9/1/12, almost every car will have them. The Gov't. doesn't require them, but the standards that govern what they record go in to effect then.

 

lol just because i dont want to get ****ed by the dealer doesn't neccessarily make me a dishonest person. i don't plan on saying "no," my question was whether if they're going to be able to tell or not assuming the repair was flawless. thanks for the help

i didn't go thru insurance either - paid out of pocket.
one more question my car seems to be idling at a lower speed than it was before the accident- was at around 750 before and now its around 500. any particular reason why that could be?

 

The black box should only be accessible after owner consent and that consent should be able to be withheld without recourse to the driver. That is not the way the law is written.

 

Just how is the law written?

 

I hate to tell you, but the "law" part of it only applies to outside access, i.e. the police could supoena it as part of an investigation. Otherwise, Nissan has automatic access. From your owners manual:

To read data recorded by an EDR, special
equipment is required and access to the
vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to
the vehicle manufacturer and NISSAN
dealer, other parties, such as law enforcement,
that have the special equipment, can
read the information if they have access to
the vehicle or the EDR. The EDR data may
be retrieved during routine vehicle servicing
or for special research. It might also be
accessed with the consent of the vehicle
owner or lessee, in response to a request
by law enforcement, or as otherwise required
or permitted by law.

 

VA Law allows PD and Insurance access to the black box without owner's consent. From my point of view this is an unauthorized search of my property and should require my consent or subpoena.

 

Police or Insurance would not need your consent to examine the car after an accident as part of an investigation. Reading the black box is just an extension of that examination.

 

One could argue that a visual examination is different than removing an event recorder, taking it back to the office and hooking it up to a machine to discover the parameters of the car prior to the accident. I view this as intrusive and search without consent. They should only be permitted to review the physical evidence such as tire marks, point of impact etc, unless I grant permission to remove a piece of my car for latter examination.

 

But when would Nissan be advised of the accident and send a rep. to remove it?

 

Your point of view is not correct though. As part of the safety equipment of the vehicle, it can be examined by law enforcement. The same as for other parts of your vehicle.

The EDR is not considered a 4th or 5th Amendment issue in certain instances. If you are involved in a serious accident, your vehicle can be impounded for a complete inspection of the equipment. This would include reading the EDR if the department has the resources. And it would not require a warrant.

Also, FYI... You appear to be using the term "subpoena" incorrectly...

A subpoena is a document from the court commanding a PERSON to appear in court under the threat of punishment
A subpoena duces tecum is a document from the court commanding the person to present PROPERTY to the court under threat of punishment
Other entities besides the courts can issue subpoenas as well (Grand Juries, attorneys, certain administrative agencies).

 

SSZVirginia - I think you're mixing different situations. If you take a car into the dealer, he can read it for any reason he sees fit. When you turn the car over to them, you give them access to the car and all it's systems for them to diagnose a problem or make a repair.

If the car is in an accident and it's at a wrecker yard, and insurance adjuster/investigator could retrieve the info from it (assuming they have the equipment). Again, by filing a claim or having a claim filed against you, your policy gives them permission to investigate the claims.

If an accident occurs that the investigating police decides it needs further examination, they will impound the car and take it to the "lab". Again, if they have the proper equipment, then can read the EDR.

If police are investigating you for some other reason, they have to supoena you/the car to be able to come to your house to get the car/EDR contents.