New cars are too computerized/complicated to work on
02-21-2018, 08:50 AM
#1
What does that mean?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 393
New cars are too computerized/complicated to work on
Seems I've heard this kind of talk since the 1980s when EFI came in. So I'm curious, Max owners here who have cars from the past 5 or 10 years and who like to work on their own cars, have you found that you're no longer able to work on your cars due to needing specialized (diagnostic?) tools, or is it just a common rant based on not very much at all?
02-21-2018, 09:45 AM
#2
It is true. The newer the car, the more the designs utilize computerized modules.
You need specialized tools that are also computerized. Today's cars have multiple computer modules that reduce repairs to replacing a "box" that is a computer module. It seems like all you can do to a car is replace a switch or a light bulb or something like that.
I have a Lexus where the automatic transmission is supposed to be lifetime a sealed module. There is no dipstick to check oil level. If you drain the oil, there is a special tool kit to replace the oil. It has pumps, it has temperature gauges and whatever. Toyota claims that too much oil will damage the transmission.
You need specialized tools that are also computerized. Today's cars have multiple computer modules that reduce repairs to replacing a "box" that is a computer module. It seems like all you can do to a car is replace a switch or a light bulb or something like that.
I have a Lexus where the automatic transmission is supposed to be lifetime a sealed module. There is no dipstick to check oil level. If you drain the oil, there is a special tool kit to replace the oil. It has pumps, it has temperature gauges and whatever. Toyota claims that too much oil will damage the transmission.
03-11-2018, 06:50 PM
#8
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 99
Yes, you need the proper diagnostic tools to ferret out the problem...that is the first hurdle. The next hurdle is in simply getting to the item to fix. Modern CAD/CAM design tools have optimized every single bit of space in the engine bay, and if you have even moderately large hands, it is sometimes VERY difficult to get to things. Let alone the fact you have to take off various covers and hatches just to SEE the dang engine.
If you want an exercise in exasperation, own a later model Volvo. These cars use an operating system called VADIS, totally proprietary to Volvo, nothing but VADIS scanners can read fault codes. If you put in a non-OEM lightbulb, the light will work but the computer will say the bulb is out. And forget EVER modifying the stereo, lol!
If you want an exercise in exasperation, own a later model Volvo. These cars use an operating system called VADIS, totally proprietary to Volvo, nothing but VADIS scanners can read fault codes. If you put in a non-OEM lightbulb, the light will work but the computer will say the bulb is out. And forget EVER modifying the stereo, lol!
03-12-2018, 01:00 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,095
Yes, you need the proper diagnostic tools to ferret out the problem...that is the first hurdle. The next hurdle is in simply getting to the item to fix. Modern CAD/CAM design tools have optimized every single bit of space in the engine bay, and if you have even moderately large hands, it is sometimes VERY difficult to get to things. Let alone the fact you have to take off various covers and hatches just to SEE the dang engine.
If you want an exercise in exasperation, own a later model Volvo. These cars use an operating system called VADIS, totally proprietary to Volvo, nothing but VADIS scanners can read fault codes. If you put in a non-OEM lightbulb, the light will work but the computer will say the bulb is out. And forget EVER modifying the stereo, lol!
If you want an exercise in exasperation, own a later model Volvo. These cars use an operating system called VADIS, totally proprietary to Volvo, nothing but VADIS scanners can read fault codes. If you put in a non-OEM lightbulb, the light will work but the computer will say the bulb is out. And forget EVER modifying the stereo, lol!
03-13-2018, 12:22 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 604
While some systems are due to emissions regulations, I truly wonder how many are needed. Competition is fierce and people are suckers for "technology" . Oooooo lala. Whatever.
Society is doing itself in when cars are nothing but throw away. When transmission will fail unless an oem fluid at $16 is used. Whatever. Stupid.
And we want more people to go into technology....for what? Stupid.
When a 98 Lincoln v8 can get repeatedly 30 mpg and no car comes close to that in size and mpg together then I wonder about a lot. Emissions has probably NOT dropped 50% to even closely offset the lower mpg.
I could go on, but modern "tech" in cars is nothing but stupid.
Society is doing itself in when cars are nothing but throw away. When transmission will fail unless an oem fluid at $16 is used. Whatever. Stupid.
And we want more people to go into technology....for what? Stupid.
When a 98 Lincoln v8 can get repeatedly 30 mpg and no car comes close to that in size and mpg together then I wonder about a lot. Emissions has probably NOT dropped 50% to even closely offset the lower mpg.
I could go on, but modern "tech" in cars is nothing but stupid.
Last edited by MichMaxFan; 03-13-2018 at 12:24 PM.
03-13-2018, 02:47 PM
#12
What does that mean?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 393
Yes, you need the proper diagnostic tools to ferret out the problem...that is the first hurdle. The next hurdle is in simply getting to the item to fix. Modern CAD/CAM design tools have optimized every single bit of space in the engine bay, and if you have even moderately large hands, it is sometimes VERY difficult to get to things. Let alone the fact you have to take off various covers and hatches just to SEE the dang engine.
If you want an exercise in exasperation, own a later model Volvo. These cars use an operating system called VADIS, totally proprietary to Volvo, nothing but VADIS scanners can read fault codes. If you put in a non-OEM lightbulb, the light will work but the computer will say the bulb is out. And forget EVER modifying the stereo, lol!
If you want an exercise in exasperation, own a later model Volvo. These cars use an operating system called VADIS, totally proprietary to Volvo, nothing but VADIS scanners can read fault codes. If you put in a non-OEM lightbulb, the light will work but the computer will say the bulb is out. And forget EVER modifying the stereo, lol!
Any idea around what year these two makes went this way?
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