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lakeviewterrace | on: Unlocking any car from X brand in most of the world
Is there an online database for instructions on how to disconnect your car from the cloud?

I.e. a Wiki where you supply Make/Model/Year, receive instructions on which fuse to pull, which box to remove or disconnect.

Right now this information is so scattered across the web, disorganized, and full of errors. Sometimes buried in YouTube videos. Even LLMs cannot provide accurate info and you need to do laborious research.

Somebody make this happen.

jonesy827 | parent | next
Usually the most practical thing to do is to remove the antenna. The car just thinks it can't get a signal, instead of missing one of its radios if you unplugged the cellular module.
throw0101d | root | parent | next
> The car just thinks it can't get a signal, instead of missing one of its radios if you unplugged the cellular module.

I read comments that this may still not be ideal, as when you take it a dealer service (especially during the warranty period), all the collected data is cached locally and may eventually get uploaded to the proverbial mothership at that time. If you can/could tell it to stop collecting generally, then there's nothing to upload, antenna or not.

Not sure how valid this thinking is, but it is worth considering as a 'threat model'.

deltoidmaximus | root | parent
The seems to be recent proof that smart TVs actually do this caching. If a shitty TV from walmart does it you can safely bet it is implemented in your 50K car.
Melatonic | root | parent
Unless that also causes it to never enter sleep mode and keep searching for a signal and drain your battery
stefanfisk | parent
In a few years, new cars probably won’t pass inspection or be allowed insurance if their internet access is disabled and not fixed by an authorized technician in a timely manner.
Brybry | root | parent
Most US states don't have a safety inspection. [1]

The trend might even be moving away from some types of inspections.

For example, Louisiana recently did away with its annual inspection program for all non-commercial, non-school bus vehicles (except for some emissions testing in some locations due to federal clean air act). [2]

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_inspection_in_the_Unit...

[2] https://legiscan.com/LA/text/HB1085/2026

gambiting | root | parent
And in the UK you have to report every modification(including this one) to your insurer, or your insurance is null and void. The MOT(annual test) couldn't care any less about any of this or any modifications - as long as your car can pass a set of(very basic) tests, it's legal to use on the road.