I was wondering if anyone knew if the Camaro's computer will store data about the car's parameters in the event of a crash? I heard not too long ago that some guy was convicted and sent to jail as a result of an accident he had. The major piece of evidence that helped convict him was the download from his car's computer. This would not deter me from the car, but I would still like to know if the new Camaro will do this.

 

I would think yes. It's on just about every car now.

 

+1

just like they are able to tell now whether or not you had a tune, regardless if you put the stock tune back in or even if you swap computers.

 

Yes.
It will carry more information than you can imagine.
GM won't talk about it.

 

dammmmm, it's getting harder and harder to break the law.

 

You say that like its a bad thing.

 

na, just joking. Believe me, with all the morons on the roads these days, it's a good thing.

 

yeah, my father in law just went to SMOG school to re-up his lisence and most of it was on OBD-III...its amazing technology...google that ish

 

Actually the purpose of the "black box" is not for legal purposes, its for warranty purposes. When i worked for honda we had a brand new accord 6 speed coupe with 2800 miles on it come in with the pistons shoved into the valves. We downloaded the info from the computer and found out it was overrevved to 10,700rpm's. At that point and time his warranty claim was denied because warranty from honda only covers defects, not driver error or stupidity.

 

What??! You mean it can't safely revv to 11,000 rpm?!!? what a bunch of MALARKY!!!

 

I was actually thinking 'Why would a modern engine let itself rev so far past redline?'

 

Tell that to the guy that got convicted by evidence from his computer.

 

Found this:

US rules on big brother black boxes(Automobiles)
New Zealand Autocar ^ | 22 Aug 2006 | DAVID CRAWLEY

Posted on Wed Aug 23 03:04:44 2006 by Marius3188

WASHINGTON: The U.S. government will not require recorders in autos but has said that car makers must tell consumers when technology that tracks speed, braking and other measurements is in the new vehicles they buy.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regulation standardises recorder content and sets guidelines for how the information should be disclosed. It also requires recorders to be more durable.

Privacy experts complained that consumer interests are not fully protected and information captured by recorders can be exploited.

Safety experts, consumer groups and insurance companies have long pressed the agency to mandate recorders in cars, but industry has responded voluntarily in recent years. About two-thirds of the new vehicles now produced each year contain the device that is connected to air bag systems. General Motors equips all its vehicles with recorders, a company spokesman said.

Regulators sought on Monday to set basic standards for their use, saying that uniform safety data will help make future auto safety regulation more precise.

Automakers have until September 1, 2010, to comply with the notification and other requirements in the new regulation, if they choose to equip their vehicles with recorders.

The rules governing auto recorders, which are similar to the 'black boxes' that store information about mechanical flight systems on commercial airliners, are intended to give law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, auto companies and safety regulators a minimum set of mechanical measurements in the seconds leading up to and during a crash.

Under the new rules, auto recorders must track vehicle speed, acceleration, and deceleration, braking, steering and some air bag functions. In some cases data on vehicle roll angle, steering inputs, and passenger safety belt use will be recorded.

Privacy experts criticized the decision to use the owners' manual to notify consumers that the vehicle contains a recorder, arguing that many people do not look at it. They also raised concerns that data could be misused for legal or insurance purposes.

"They basically punted on the privacy issues," Jay Stanley, a privacy expert with the American Civil Liberties Union, said of the NHTSA regulation. "This is a technology that is powerful and rapidly advancing and we need to bring our laws up to date."

Rae Tyson, a NHTSA spokesman, said the owner's manual is suitable for notifying consumers and stressed that recorder information is private property that cannot be downloaded without permission of the vehicle owner.

Tyson said most privacy concerns should be addressed by the courts and Congress, not by NHTSA.

 

go 100 mph down the highway and shove it in 2nd gear and find out.

 

Sure, people need to step out over the line every once and awhile, keeps them from going nuts and doing something really crazy.