TeknoKing

Hi, this is a stupid question, but I do need an answer.

If I register with AcuraLink, will they be able to see how I drive my car? speed? mileage?

Thank you.

PS WPD 08 TLS

darksky

In theory and assuming the NAV system transmits your position back to a centralized server, then the answer is yes. Shippers who use semi trucks to move freight have been using this sort of system for years by the way.

Further, if you own a cell phone, your provider knows where you are as your [and the phone] travel around in their network. If we're talking about a GPS enabled technology like the nav system in a LT then they also get speed. It's unclear to me what other information may be accessible; in theory, anything that the car's onboard computer keeps track of is fair game.

TeknoKing

I see, so I'm not registering.

Thanks. This is a bit discomforting if they know exactly how fast you drive, where you drive, your mileage and if you have modded anything.

darksky

Hold on... I didn't say that do, I just said they can with this technology in theory. I really don't know anything about the system. I have a friend who is pretty paranoid and actually disconnected the onstar features in his vehicles (can't remember if he just pulled the fuse or literally modded the cars so they don't get power).

It's unclear to me how an auto maker could profit from these sort of data (i.e. where you drive, how fast, when, mileage, etc.)

Maybe some others will reply with their perspectives.

TeknoKing

Hmm, I would be interested in blocking AcuraLink. Is it doable?

Oh boy, they can profit. They will know the wear and tear of the vehicle when you return it, if you are leasing it.

Anansi

I don't think singing up with acuralink or not will address the issue of potential monitoring. Since they already have all of the details of your car upon purchase, they have everything they need already. They don't have to wait for you to register on the website. If they were so inclined all they would have to do is activate tracking upon sale of any new car.

TeknoKing

Another encouraging post, lol.

Damn, I wish I knew for sure.

proudacuraownr

I worked for acura for a couple months. They don't track you. It would cost to much money to pay people to sit there on they're computers and monitor you 24/7. Im registered on acura link and its pretty cool. You can see your cars features, options and specs. Service records and your owners manual. I love it.

TeknoKing

I do my own maintenance at my boys shops, I don't need them monitoring "service records".

I hope more people will chime in on this issue, so I can sleep better at night. lol

rimz

yeah, i don't get how registering on Acuralink would give them the ability to track your speed, where you've been, etc...

your car would have to transmit that data to them on a regular basis and what about those who don't have NAV (like myself)? i'm sure the technology is already there in my little roof box (the thing that looks like a shark fin on bimmers, audis, etc. -- thank God ours doesn't look like that), but if i don't have it hooked up to anything that requests data and such, then they shouldn't be able to track a thing...

now some cars come with a little device (chip or whatnot) that records your speed, where you've been, etc., but it doesn't transmit the data...these devices come in handy for the police and stuff during an investigation, though i don't think our cars have these...

007TL-S

that's your satelite radio antenna!....yes our cars do come with a snitch box!

backthatACup

take some nyquil for that sleeping issue!

rimz

damn, i forgot about the XM radio antenna being in there...probably because i don't subscribe to it...

so there you have it: there's no way for them to track anything about us in real-time (that we know of), but we have a snitch box, per 007TL-S... goodnight...

CubanLynx84

iTrader: (2)

didn't they start that "black box" thing in the rsx when they first came out. I remember hearing something like this. Alot of people were crapping out the tranny cause they couldn't handle 6spd's. And some were over revving the hell out of them and blowing motors. The dealers read the box and it stated what happened in terms of rpms, speed, shift points in the rpm band. I also thought insurance companies were using this info when accidents happened and were able to retreive needed info.

wasupdog

iTrader: (2)

looks like the acuralink thing is more for a customer service than anything else. even if they did track u, they would probably just want to use it for survey purposes for marketing stats than targeting individuals.

phee

iTrader: (5)

well i believe the ECU automagically logs when you redline your vehicle

Bearcat94

My other car is a Chevy RepMobile with On-Star. Every now and then I will get an e-mail from the 3rd party fleet managment company that says something like:

"Your car is at xx,xxx miles and is over due for maint. You last maint was permformed xx,xxx miles ago. Please schedule a maint appt ....."

I figure they can know exactly where that car is or has been any time they want.

In my case, they own the car, so I guess they have the right to know where it is. Similar to putting a GPS-based reporting device on your kids car.

But if a 3rd party tracked you, I think that'd be a potential legal problem. Especially if you didn't agree to it ahead of time.

TeknoKing

That's what I'm saying, I'm not agreeing to be 'spied on'.

I really don't want to get such letters, as your mileage is this, show up for an appointment.

TeknoKing

So how can we know for sure this is the case like OnStar?

TeknoKing

Ok, new info, but I don't know how accurate this is. Info came from a trusted mechanic shop.

Our Gps/AcuraLink is a one way communication signal, which is able only to receive, but not to send.

In order to actually send data, AcuraLink uses our bluetooth enabled phones for phoning or retrieving messages from AcuraLink servers. We DO have a 'black box' (snitch box), but it only records abnormalities and/or last events of malfunctions, such as you if get into an accident, something is bound to throw of the ECU, it will record all variables instantly.

OnStar, however, is a two way communication, a full duplex. So they can eagerly spy on you, open your doors, start your car..etc...etc..

If anyone finds more info, please post. Thanks.

flashback

Dude relax they can get all the info they want off the computer when you bring the car into the shop, or when you turn it in if they want it.
If your that parinoid pull out your computer. Your car wont run, but they will have nothing on you.

TeknoKing

I'm not paranoid. Close this thread, people seem not to care about their privacy.

I was only curious for warranty purposes, if they know you've modded the car which caused the malfunction, it's your pocket that will get lighter.

timmahh

Most mods are visible and won't require secret spying

Oh and re: the "black box" thing.. Various items are recorded during an accident, speed, seat positions, whether or not the brakes were applied, whether or not the seatbelts were fastened, etc.

All used to help determine the cause of the accident and to see what did or did not play a factor in it..



watch your back.. Germans on Dinosaurs around the corner!
(Drawn Together watchers will get that..)

Vanilla_Gorilla

Serious, what are you trying to hide? Anyways...

So do you return your ride to stock when you take it in for service? Like no one has never taken their mod'd ride into a dealer before.

Becareful about using your Bluetooth, i heard all conversations on Bluetooth are recorded and set to the government....sshhh!

timmahh

I was trying to add this:

Most mods are visible and won't require secret spying.. you mention privacy, but to me it seems shady to do a mod that sounds like it potentially breaks the car, and voids the warranty, and you want to know if they can find out what you did to cause it.. if they can, more power to them. If YOU mod the car and it fails because of it, the dealer is absolutely NOT responsible, so finding a way to keep them from finding out what you did is bs.

but I hit the 5 minute limit

TeknoKing

I had a different concern, those who smart will understand what I'm really trying to hide, especially those who lease. And the rest may continue the self-amusement

Vanilla_Gorilla

korrupted

LOL, I totally understand your point, but I wouldn't be posting this in an Acura forum, if you know what I mean.

TeknoKing

Korruputed

I just wanted to know how the AcuraLink worked, I'm a technology geek so I was just curious.
They did say Acura has one of the best technological advances in automotive industry, but how advance was the question. So now I know, and it's all good.

Now my only concern is the back-up camera which is pretty dim on my car, I wonder if it can be brighter? On my inifiniti this thing was very bright, even at night time. Suggestions?

timmahh

Try different backup lamps.. maybe a super bright LED cluster or something

timmahh

"those who smart"

HEHEHEHEHEHEHE. :p

avs007

First of all, the black box records in a continuous loop, saving only something like a 5 second frame, and constantly over-writing it... If the airbags deploy, the black-box stops recording... This 5 second window, then becomes a sort of freeze-frame.

Second of all, your car has no way to upload any data to acura... The Navi only has a satellite receiver, not a transmitter, so it can only calculate it's current position, not send it out.... The SAT signal used by the radio... Is provided by XM which is a third party company unrelated to Acura. In order to receive data via SAT, they would need to setup your car with a third party SAT data ISP. Not only is that expensive, it will need a much better antenna. Contrary to popular beliefe, GM's On-Star does not use the SAT to transmit data, it uses a cellular network for that.

Third of all... The accuracy of triangulating your cell phone's position is dependend on the coverage in your area, as well as who is your provider. For example, last year when C-Net's James Kim disappeared, he was in a remote section of regon. According to C-NET, they were only able to track his cell phone becuase his cell provider was Edge Wireless compatible, because the cell towers where he got lost was an Edge wireless tower. However, becuase it was remote, it was the only tower within 26 miles of his location. They were able to triangulate his position, but not to within 50 meters like many sites claim is the accuracy of this type of tracking.

However, in order for this to be useful, the person trying to track your location is going to need to know your cell phone number. If Acura doesn't know your cell phone number, thye wouldn't be able to track you, even if they wanted to.

fant0m_TL

The government can at any time listen to your conversations as well - even if your phone is off - the only way to prevent it is to take the battery out. They do this with suspected terrorists and drug dealers. I read an article about it on CNN...

kinda like in the Bourne Ultimatum where that dude says "Blackbriar" and they find him - believe it or not that stuff is *somewhat* real.

fant0m_TL

i dont think they will tell about roadying lol... just clean the leather - if thats what it is that your concerned about.

shouldnt be doing that anyway!!! (if thats what it is - if not, disregard this post and always remember me as a moron )

TeknoKing

Your are not a moron, but this is not what I was getting at. I just know that Acura is anal with their leases, even though they do give $1500 wear/tear. I just don't want to hear extra bs like you abused the car with the driving, etc..etc. Just heard stupid rumors, and yes, now I will ignore them, because as more people post, the stupider I sound, lol.

Thank you guys for your posts!

trancemission

Im closing this at the request of the OP