The latest surge in fossil-fuel prices means it is now up to nine times cheaper in the UK to drive an electric vehicle (EV) than a petrol or diesel car, shows Carbon Brief analysis.
There is a relatively simple solution to that problem, you can disconnect the system from the Internet by replacing its antenna connection with SMA terminators. Here’s an example with lots of details about it:
That seems like a lot to go through…though agreed, it makes it doable…and no car manufacturer has ever put a stock stereo in their vehicles that’s worth a dam anyway, so an awesome reason to rip it out.
First thing I did when I got my Mustang was rip the Microsoft Sync system out of it. What an absolute piece of shit that thing is. (of course it is, it’s a Microsoft product)
It’s not even part of the stereo or radio on some cars, many will have a Telematics Control Unit that’s a separate box with those GPS and cellular data antenna connectors on it. It’s the owner’s choice to decide if they want to leave those antennas in place or upgrade to antenna terminators to permanently block cellular data.
My son has a 2023 GR Supra (BMW Z4 ish) The TCU antennas are also purposed to receive the transmissions from the keyfobs and such, so they’ve made it so that disconnecting the TCM fucks up the doors (and a number of other systems)
I know in other toyotas parts of the stereo / audio break when you disconnect the TCM.
Manufacturers need them to stay in place, because they make money selling your data…
Important to know that terminating the antennas is not the same thing as disconnecting the TCU. It’s just a “no signal” condition for the still-working TCU.
There is a relatively simple solution to that problem, you can disconnect the system from the Internet by replacing its antenna connection with SMA terminators. Here’s an example with lots of details about it:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/simpler-solution-for-disabling-the-dcm-telematics-silencing-antennas.821649/
That seems like a lot to go through…though agreed, it makes it doable…and no car manufacturer has ever put a stock stereo in their vehicles that’s worth a dam anyway, so an awesome reason to rip it out.
First thing I did when I got my Mustang was rip the Microsoft Sync system out of it. What an absolute piece of shit that thing is. (of course it is, it’s a Microsoft product)
It’s not even part of the stereo or radio on some cars, many will have a Telematics Control Unit that’s a separate box with those GPS and cellular data antenna connectors on it. It’s the owner’s choice to decide if they want to leave those antennas in place or upgrade to antenna terminators to permanently block cellular data.
My son has a 2023 GR Supra (BMW Z4 ish) The TCU antennas are also purposed to receive the transmissions from the keyfobs and such, so they’ve made it so that disconnecting the TCM fucks up the doors (and a number of other systems)
I know in other toyotas parts of the stereo / audio break when you disconnect the TCM.
Manufacturers need them to stay in place, because they make money selling your data…
https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/auto/driving-data-insurers-privacy/
Important to know that terminating the antennas is not the same thing as disconnecting the TCU. It’s just a “no signal” condition for the still-working TCU.
Some cars you just need to pull a specific fuse too.