Data logging/telemetry/Police intrusion

[Zepboy]

Hi All,
I've got an odd question based on a conversation I had earlier with a friend. I wonder if anyone has any thoughts. Here goes. Do our mustangs log and/or store data in an ongoing manner? Specifically things like speed, throttle position, information about what the suspension has been doing? If so, under what circumstances could the police and/or insurers access this information?

I've got some pretty good circumstantial evidence that this data IS logged and stored in the car, for quite a long time (ie. it isnt erased every time you start the car). I have also got some information to suggest that the police and insurance companies can access this information WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION in the event of an accident. I think its a gross violation of privacy, but I wonder if anyone else has every heard of this or knows if it is actually legal??

CHeers

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[Burkey]

Interesting question.
I had a similar thought myself recently after it became apparent that the local police wanted to speak to the owner of a “grey Mustang”...apparently doing well over 200km/h
If the data isn’t recorded by date and time, what purpose does it serve?
Yes, my car has been well over 200, but that was on a racetrack.
I have no idea what info is retained, for how long etc etc.
Very interested to find out.
For a friend.

 

[Azairious]

i think you guys might be a bit paranoid, i've had the ecu opened up on my GT, there is not enough storage space to save a whole lot of information, perhaps it might keep the last few minutes before an ABS or similar MIL for diagnostics and even then it's only things like throttle position, brake pressure etc, but cars have been doing that since the 90's. and i doubt ford would go to the extra cost of putting in a 2nd system just for tracking etc. the phone in you pocket keeps more information on you than your car would via the metadata collected.

 

[Grimace427]

i think you guys might be a bit paranoid, i've had the ecu opened up on my GT, there is not enough storage space to save a whole lot of information,

Crash data is stored in the SRS module, and yes it's only a few moments before/during a crash event. The ECU/PCM memory only stores fault code, freeze frame and adaptation data.

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