4G Modem Disabling Instructions:

[jmn444]

right now cars will continue to work no problem, new e-cars could be disabled wirelessly or not start if manipulated. that is one easy way to enforce the contract compared to litigation

also an easy way to lose customers though. will be interesting to see what the future brings.

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[dx2]

also an easy way to lose customers though. will be interesting to see what the future brings.

correct, but all of them are going to do it this way. anyway curious as well how far they go.

 

[Jaymar]

There are two contracts that I was referring to that might limit your freedom of action. I'm not certain on either, but there's a lot going on in the automotive data market and OEMS are under a lot of pressure to make sure consumers don't opt out.

One is the end user license agreement with Ford for Ford Pass and/or Sync. If you're using the services these features provide, you may have to release your data to them in the same way as Google gets your data when you use search.

The other is the Bill of Sale you signed when you bought the car - you gave them money and they gave you a car in exchange. Thing is, you may have also agreed to give them your data along with the money. I'm not sure on that point with Ford, but other auto OEM's are doing it.

As they say about contracts, the big print giveth and the small print taketh away...

That's not a contract. If one party (you) is required to continue giving a service (data) with nothing in exchange from the other party (Ford) then what you have is an unenforceable contract that is void. There are no possible repercusiones provided in the contract if you cease your end of the deal. What are they going to do? Take away the property that has already been negotiated?

 

[accel]

That's not a contract. If one party (you) is required to continue giving a service (data) with nothing in exchange from the other party (Ford) then what you have is an unenforceable contract that is void. There are no possible repercusiones provided in the contract if you cease your end of the deal. What are they going to do? Take away the property that has already been negotiated?

Things break. Like modems or fuses. You are not intetested in fixing it with or without warranty. That's it.

P.S. Problem is if they use other ways to send your data. And this is why bluetooth is bring discussed.

 

[WD Pro]

Still not sure I buy into the contract theory.

How about those that buy a low mileage nearly new car privately. Even if the first owner was somehow tied into a contract with Ford, what about the second ?

Same question for those that buy new or lease through a (non Ford owned) third party - their contract is with the third party and not with Ford ?

WD

 

[Tomster]

Still not sure I buy into the contract theory.

How about those that buy a low mileage nearly new car privately. Even if the first owner was somehow tied into a contract with Ford, what about the second ?

Same question for those that buy new or lease through a (non Ford owned) third party - their contract is with the third party and not with Ford ?

WD

The only obligation that I see is that if you accept and activate Ford pass, you incur a (i believe it was 2 year) obligation to keep it active. They give you Ford points as compensation for this. Furthermore the dealers are pushing people to activate because they get a monetary compensation as well from Ford. You wouldn't believe the resistance I got when I bought my latest Ford and flat out told them I wanted nothing to do with Ford pass or data collection. I told my salesman that as soon as I got the car home, I would be disconnecting the modem.

So my point is that there is no contract or obligation unless you accept the terms and conditions of the Ford pass enrollment and activation. There is no such thing as a free lunch. If Ford is paying kickbacks to the dealer and providing the points to the end user, there is obviously a valuable thing being transferred. That thing is your data and personal information that Ford can pretty much do as they wish with it.

 

[JAJ]

The only obligation that I see is that if you accept and activate Ford pass, you incur a (i believe it was 2 year) obligation to keep it active. They give you Ford points as compensation for this. Furthermore the dealers are pushing people to activate because they get a monetary compensation as well from Ford. You wouldn't believe the resistance I got when I bought my latest Ford and flat out told them I wanted nothing to do with Ford pass or data collection. I told my salesman that as soon as I got the car home, I would be disconnecting the modem.

So my point is that there is no contract or obligation unless you accept the terms and conditions of the Ford pass enrollment and activation. There is no such thing as a free lunch. If Ford is paying kickbacks to the dealer and providing the points to the end user, there is obviously a valuable thing being transferred. That thing is your data and personal information that Ford can pretty much do as they wish with it.

That's precisely what I was saying. Thing is, there may be other monitors running that you don't know about that communicate a different way. Now, I don't know if it's true or not for Ford, but it's definitely happening with other vehicles. For instance, in Canada, if you disconnect the GPS in a BMW that's less than 1 year old, a bailiff will track the car down and seize it. Doesn't matter if you financed it or paid cash. The stated purpose is to prevent shipment of new BMW's to grey market countries like China, where the same car sells for three times as much. Key point, though, is that even though you "own the car", you can't do as you wish with it - there are rules!

 

[drummerboy]

Owners may be violating their contract with Ford if they disconnect the modem.

Humoring the notion that this is true and we had data police running around checking to make sure everyone was sharing (I know you're not implying this, let's just have some fun). Simple solution: Pull the fuse, pop it, put it back in. "Oops, my modem must be fried."

right now cars will continue to work no problem, new e-cars could be disabled wirelessly or not start if manipulated. that is one easy way to enforce the contract compared to litigation

Without a doubt, it's safe to say we will soon see cars that do not have access to certain features if the data connection cannot be established as this is already the case with many devices, and I'd wager that Tesla would be first if it is not already the case. I do doubt, though, that being unable to start and move the car without a connection would be implemented - think of the legal ramifications in an emergency.

 

[Tomster]

That's precisely what I was saying. Thing is, there may be other monitors running that you don't know about that communicate a different way. Now, I don't know if it's true or not for Ford, but it's definitely happening with other vehicles. For instance, in Canada, if you disconnect the GPS in a BMW that's less than 1 year old, a bailiff will track the car down and seize it. Doesn't matter if you financed it or paid cash. The stated purpose is to prevent shipment of new BMW's to grey market countries like China, where the same car sells for three times as much. Key point, though, is that even though you "own the car", you can't do as you wish with it - there are rules!

I've had my CFTP modem disabled for what? A year now? Nobody has cared or missed me one bit.

Another note:
My GPS is working. This has nothing to do with GPS.

 

[JAJ]

My GPS is working. This has nothing to do with GPS.

Correct.

 

[JT1]

Read the whole thread, did I miss a definitive answer to whether disabling the modem via fuse is sufficient to prevent the car reporting driver data, or does something need to be done so it can't connect to an open wifi?

 

[Tomster]

Read the whole thread, did I miss a definitive answer to whether disabling the modem via fuse is sufficient to prevent the car reporting driver data, or does something need to be done so it can't connect to an open wifi?

I don't think it was ever positively proven that pulling the fuse or diabling the 4G modem will prevent data transmission via wifi.

 

[Bikeman315]

I don't think it was ever positively proven that pulling the fuse or diabling the 4G modem will prevent data transmission via wifi.

Wi-Fi can be turned off in settings. Then you should be good to go.

 

[Tomster]

Wi-Fi can be turned off in settings. Then you should be good to go.

Thanks, its been a while and honestly I haven't thought about this subject in a long time. I wonder what is with the sudden interest again?

 

[Tomster]

Wi-Fi can be turned off in settings. Then you should be good to go.

Hey, while I'm thinking of it, does your GT have a spin on oil filter?

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