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Ask Slashdot: What's the Most Hackable Car?
An anonymous reader writes: When looking for a new (or used) car, I have readily available information regarding features, maintenance history, and potential issues for that specific model or generation. What I would really like is a car that is readily hackable on the convenience-feature level. For example, if I want to install a remote starter, or hack the power windows so holding 'up' automatically rolls it up, or install a readout on the rear of the car showing engine RPMs, what make/model/year is the best pick? Have any of you done something similar with your vehicle? Have you found certain models to be ideal or terrible for feature hacking?
You need to find a car that has a strong community of people who like to make these kinds of changes. I have a Prius (actually 2). There is a ton of information on the car. For example, someone posted instructions for ordering parts and wiring in accessories that allow you to unlock the car by touch from the passenger door handle and the rear hatch. That feature was only offered by Toyota on the top models in 2011.
PriusChat is my favorite place for researching maintaining and enhancing my 2 Priuses. Good luck and have fun!
have you searched online? There is sometimes a way to "program" it. On a modern GM (2010+ ) hold the Information and Reset buttons at the same time. A menu will pop up on the multi display and you can set various things. There are often hidden codes (Chrysler used to use the headlight switch as a selector, with the horn as feedback - so you are sitting in your driveway , honking horns and flashing lights :) as well...
We needed a new car back in 2012 and we decided on a 2012 Ford Escape.
Most of your complaints can be fixed with various tweaks listed in the manuals. For example, you don't have to listen to chimes because the key is in the switch. As for Sync, update the software (easy to do with a download to any USB stick) and you should be able to connect any Android at least for voice, but your phone has to support a later level of Bluetooth to support reading/sending texts using the car.
I can't help you on your satellite drop outs, as that's caused by brain-dead placement of the antenna by Ford. No, that thing sticking up at the back of your car is not the satellite antenna. The sat antenna is pretty much inside your glove compartment.
VW/Audi group cars can all be easily hacked via a Vag-com http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-c... device which is a relatively cheap hardware/software alternative to the programmer used at the factor or at a dealership. There are great community sites. for instance: http://www.audizine.com/forum/...
One simple hack I performed for instance was to enable bluetooth hud. Default from the factory the contact list from my phone would not be displayed one the radio or on the instrument heads up display. One simple code change displays my contact list, last calls received, and last calls made. The only negatives to the vag-com are that engine performance and emissions are locked out. Which means you can't disable the ~130MPH governor for instance.
There is or can be built a machine that can simulate any physical object. -Church-Turing principle