Remote Kill Switch for All 2026MY+ cars?

[because_murica]

I admit that I have not read the majority of the new infrastructure bill, and so I can't point to where there is reference to this kill switch. However, if what the below video is suggesting is true, I smell depressing times ahead. I'd rather have a particulate filter than a damn kill switch.

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[because_murica]

I genuinely hope this provision is repealed or delayed, because that would suck major cohones for any 2026+ sports car.

 

[Ace]

I think most people don't realize what a carmaker can actually access on your car from the distance. My mother locked herself out of her then new BMW on vacation a few years ago. After a call with BMW where they verified that she is the owner they unlocked the car from their central. I wouldn't be surprised if technically they could already turn off your engine.

I wouldn't go full tinfoil hat mode yet. There is no valid information who will access what, what would exactly decide which cars should be switched off, etc. As long as it is only connected to a breathanalyser, who cares? I have no pity for ******* who think it's fine to drive under influence.

 

[526 HRSE]

We are headed towards people only being allowed to drive when their political party is in power.

 

[Mike Pfeifer]

I wouldn't be surprised if technically they could already turn off your engine.

They can, police can request it for a stolen vehicle, etc. I think it’s even featured in an onstar ad.

 

[jgilkey]

It’s already built into the telematics module, which is also used for warranty info. The module is in the passenger side of the trunk.

 

[Hack]

We are headed towards people only being allowed to drive when their political party is in power.

There's something I disagree with there, but I think it gets into politics. I believe I can say that us retaining our driving priviledges is more in question now than it's been in the past.

 

[lcbrownz]

They can, police can request it for a stolen vehicle, etc. I think it’s even featured in an onstar ad.

or stop a vehicle during a high-speed chase.

 

[Mike Pfeifer]

or stop a vehicle during a high-speed chase.

I’ve heard of that example, but have not heard of it actually being done. I’m not sure if they can call with a license plate and shut anything down.

 

[nrc]

There's something I disagree with there, but I think it gets into politics. I believe I can say that us retaining our driving priviledges is more in question now than it's been in the past.

But I'm not "driving," I'm "traveling."

 

[LSchicago]

GM's onstar has had this for decades.

 

[shogun32]

obligatory "what do you have to fear/hide if you're not breaking the law"?

Onstar is a wire snip or fuse away from killing. The telematics in Ford is fuse #14. With this reg it'll probably be designed as a module buried in the frame with a dead-man switch mode that if it's missing or can't negotiate with the ECU the ECU won't run the engine. I foresee a market for emulators and ECU hacks to disable the handshake. The proper answer to this legislative "mandate" I can't type on a public forum...

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