Are there really "special screws" that are difficult to deal with these days? Any hardware store carries sets of what used to be obscure security bits. Torx (innie or outie) and hex don't even count as "special".

I had read that the reason for the plastic covers on fancier cars, while partly for appearance and to discourage amateur servicing, also are there for a substantial reduction of engine noise. But I never heard anything about owners not having permission to remove them.

I've speculated that one reason for making it a hassle to service modern cars is that if an owner has been messing with their car, screwed it up, and brings it to the dealer, it's more likely there will be clues that warranty coverage should be denied.