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Comment by turdprincess | Hacker News Reader

Curious whats your plan if new cars become increasingly internet connected, kinda how smart TVs went? Will you keep driving early 2000s cars until they become "vintage"?

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Presumably you could always just break the 5G module - the carmaker can’t assume internet connectivity, so it should work fine without.

Yep, I tested with my 21 Ford and removing the TCU (telematics control unit, that acronym should be general to most of the industry) disabled cell communication but didn't impact operation of the vehicle.

I did end up hooking it back up to re-enable remote start since I'm in a cold climate, but I couldn't help myself but test this. Something mobile like a car can't assume connectivity, although I have heard reports of people stranded when using rental services that rely on cell connection.

Forum confirmation here: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/disabling-fordpass...

Of course they can, the car will check in at least once every few months, so you can go without internet connectivity for 30 days or so without problems.

Almost everyone will get within range of internet at least once every two months, so few Wil notice or care that the car requires constant contact with the mother ship.

Aftermarket parts are available to repair old cars. I for one plan to keep repairing mine, even if that means rebuilding/replacing the engine, transmission, etc.. I will never accept the tyranny of an internet connected automobile.

The hardware must still obey the laws of physics. New cars will have a hard time connecting wirelessly without a functioning antenna.

Spend the money maintaining an older car

Our government want to phase out fuel cars entirely by 2030 which makes no sense but, at that point it would probably be illegal to use an older fuel car.

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