progressive insurance ?

[wv hillbilly]

what is the thing they call the snapshot? what is it for?

[ampaterry]

I checked into this one because I was curious also, even though there is no way on EARTH I would spend money at this liberal outfit.

The snapshot is a device that you plug into the diagnostics port of your car, and it monitors several things about your driving, such as number and frequency of hard braking situations, time of day (or night) that you drive, how far you drive, vehicle speed, etc. It communicates this information to the insurance company, and they adjust your premium accordingly. After six months of monitoring, they take the device back and lock in your premium based upon that period.

Allstate has a similar device called Drive Wise, but they only have it available in IL, where Progressive offers the Snapshot in 30 states.

More big-brother BS, if you ask me.

[GunHugger]

Soon to be used by all insurance companies.

[GunnyGene]

Black boxes have been in cars for years.

WASHINGTON -

Many motorists don't know it, but it's likely that every time they get behind the wheel, there's a snitch along for the ride.

In the next few days, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is expected to propose long-delayed regulations requiring auto manufacturers to include event data recorders - better known as "black boxes" - in all new cars and light trucks. But the agency is behind the curve. Automakers have been quietly tucking the devices, which automatically record the actions of drivers and the responses of their vehicles in a continuous information loop, into most new cars for years.

When a car is involved in a crash or when its airbags deploy, inputs from the vehicle's sensors during the 5 to 10 seconds before impact are automatically preserved. That's usually enough to record things like how fast the car was traveling and whether the driver applied the brake, was steering erratically or had a seat belt on.

Read more: http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/2028604...#ixzz2ET13DAcX

[wv hillbilly]

thanks for the info.
i thought that is what it might be.
i dont need nothing like that

[68c15]

Originally Posted by GunnyGene

Black boxes have been in cars for years.

and starting with any car/light truck made in 2012 it is part of the required vehicle stability control system.
I actually have a device similar that I use for intermittent problems with customer's cars.
the technology is not new. it has been in cars since 1996. with a full featured scan tool I can look at freeze frame/failure records and look at all kinds of data. "so I see that 2851 miles ago you were driving 82mph with 74% throttle angle, 81* ambient temp, and 198* coolant temp when it set the MAF voltage low code"

[carver]

Anybody got an early 70's pickup truck for sale? I knew this was where we were headed, I just didn't realize that we were already there!

[GunnyGene]

Originally Posted by 68c15

and starting with any car/light truck made in 2012 it is part of the required vehicle stability control system.
I actually have a device similar that I use for intermittent problems with customer's cars.
the technology is not new. it has been in cars since 1996. with a full featured scan tool I can look at freeze frame/failure records and look at all kinds of data. "so I see that 2851 miles ago you were driving 82mph with 74% throttle angle, 81* ambient temp, and 198* coolant temp when it set the MAF voltage low code"

The only real difference is whether the vehicle transmits/recieves via wi-fi/cell or you have to plug in to a computer. If it transmits/receives, such as with On-Star, then among other things it can be hacked. New opportunity for boosters. Don't need a slim jim anymore, just an Ipad.

The double edged sword of technology strikes again.

[wv hillbilly]

then the cops can just stop your car with this black box?

[jbmid1]

Originally Posted by wv hillbilly

then the cops can just stop your car with this black box?

Yep.

[Haligan]

Originally Posted by carver

Anybody got an early 70's pickup truck for sale? I knew this was where we were headed, I just didn't realize that we were already there!

What you thought the 'Cash for Clunkers' program was to get the old vehicles off the road for the environment. Ha.

[Grizz]

Originally Posted by wv hillbilly

then the cops can just stop your car with this black box?

That and much more, these days some of the high end cars have electronic controlled suspension, throttle, and steering. They could practically control your vehicle, it's already in most cars. It's all in the computer software, but it won't be unleashed until OBD III becomes legal. When that happens, if you ever speed one time you will be sent a nice ticket in the mail.

[GunnyGene]

Originally Posted by Grizz

That and much more, these days some of the high end cars have electronic controlled suspension, throttle, and steering. They could practically control your vehicle, it's already in most cars. It's all in the computer software, but it won't be unleashed until OBD III becomes legal. When that happens, if you ever speed one time you will be sent a nice ticket in the mail.

Google is already testing robocars on the streets in LA. Totally hands and foot free. Just punch in the destination and away you go. No speeding, no tailgating, no nothing. You're just along for the ride. Not only would you get a ticket (if you could manage a violation at all), you could be automatically diverted to the courthouse (or the nearest FEMA internment camp).

I'll be driving my existing vehicles till I die unless they die first, in which case I'll be looking for a good horse and buggy.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57...ithin-5-years/

[soundguy]

interesting thread.

glad I drive an old diesel/

the cell / onstar / gps / tab keeping thing is not fun to look at in a 'what if' situation.

speaking of that.

if you hve a cell.. I bet it's gps cabable.. even if you don't use it. even if it just reports position to cell sites... those who want to, know where you are going.. when you go.. and could figure time / speed.. etc..

[ampaterry]

The Amish folks have some very well trained buggy animals, gunny -

And the only thing you can plug into their diagnostics port is a thermometer.

[soundguy]

ouch!

[GunnyGene]

Originally Posted by ampaterry

The Amish folks have some very well trained buggy animals, gunny -

And the only thing you can plug into their diagnostics port is a thermometer.

No Amish hereabouts, but nearly every farmer here has horses, mules, tack and buggies/wagons. Almost bought a buggy at an estate sale a few years ago. The 1800's are alive and well if you know where to look. And I could build one if necessary.

[Grizz]

I could go for a nice classic chevelle, maybe throw a little somthin under the hood.

[Big Chevy]

Originally Posted by ampaterry

The Amish folks have some very well trained buggy animals, gunny -

And the only thing you can plug into their diagnostics port is a thermometer.

Ha take that big brother.