Manufacturers’ Paywalls and the right to repair

Did you know that Tesla owners have to fork up $300 to have Tesla simply use software similar to Techstream to activate their optional (but existing) rear seat heaters?

Does this sound familiar? I was told it would cost over $100 using Techstream to reset my 1-door to 4-door touch unlocking and to extend the touch turn signal timing. Luckily I didn’t pay their ransom and found the door locks later on the dash options menu and the blinker timer in a aftermarket Techstream-like app. The worse is when I was told it would cost double that to activate the glass breakage sensor on Techstream- but then later I learned it was already active with the car alarm and it would be just a plug and play add-on, so I bought one and installed it myself.

Pretty sad that more vehicles are being built with those types of options already installed, but they are throttled by software and you have to pay to use them.

And the worse example I ever heard? Those rear seat warmers? Once you pay for activation you have to keep them going by subscription!

Can’t wait to hear about the 4th gen owners and their options…

 

As you found, many options are controlled through the head unit. Important to RTM...

You can also buy your own techsteam subscription and leave the dealer out of it.

Techstream has many options that are great... change the signal flash count, disable the seatbelt chime, etc...

 

But really, buy a subscription for activating features our trucks already have?

I got around it by using a trial period for one of those aftermarket apps and reset everything I wanted for free but look where it’s heading- now Tesla is charging a subscription to keep those settings active!

 

Sounds similar to video gaming these days where you have to get updates after the game comes out, buy certain features/upgrades, etc. Yikes

 

Oh god, a friend’s kid got into one of those and started stealing money from them to do it- it got really bad. Those games do that to kids and adults alike.

 

Tesla should have an app for people who don't own a Tesla they can pay if they want the heat to be activated on the seat they are sitting in.

 

Vote with your dollars... the only way to show these manufacturers that we won't put up with subscriptions, is to not buy their products... or, we'll probably show them we are willing...

It's a free market, and I don't blame manufacturers for doing what they can to make money.

Edit:
Subscriptions are nothing new, in the world of software. Now that cars are mostly software, I'm not surprised where the market is trending.

 

My newest system is PS3 and I don't play online anyway but I refuse to get sucked into that nonsense.

 

Much as I think the ideas talked about are BS, you are completely correct. On both sides of that. EIther people won't pay it and they'll have to revisit, or enough will and it continues.

 

Wait until there's a fee to adjust the power seat.

 

Ok, screw it. You are totally right, I would love to go back to an FJ40 or something like that! I can easily fix those, and I don’t have to worry about paying to get things like FuFu seat warmer subscriptions and stuff like that.

 

Yep, sadly it's pretty standard these days. Most vehicles are 90% the same but there are little features you pay extra for that are often a matter of programming or just being plug and play. It would be a lot more expensive for a manufacturer to specifically tailor their vehicles to have certain options and not even include ways to put them on in lower level trims.

In Tesla's case, about the only difference between higher priced models and lower ones are physical battery size and whether or not it has one or more motors. The rest is simply software.

 

Lol you are complaining about subscriptions? Do you have Netflix? YouTube? Amazon Prime? Costco? Sam's Club? They all exist out there, just like the stuff on vehicles, but you can't have it without subscription. What about extended warranty? How about insurance? Water and sewer bill? Electric and Gas bill? Lol they are all subscriptions. Don't believe me? Don't pay the bill and see how long they last.
Hell, property taxes are another form of subscription.

 

But dude- it’s a car you own subscription. Where will it stop?

 

The touch turn signal timing is only adjustable via Techstream not the head. I got my dealer to change it when it went in for the first service, and they didn't charge.

In all honesty, these tweaks to simple things should be explained when you buy the vehicle so they can set it up as the customer wishes from the get-go - I wasn't aware it could be changed until I read it here.

 

I see the point but I don't purchase the first few things in the first place though, then have to pay for an addon. Utilities and insurance, I guess I see your point though not everyone directly pays for that.

Shhh don't say that out loud

 

Yeah, and my mom is a type of subscription. There, at least everyone learned something. Except @Bertw192 . He knew about my mom.

I’ll be interested in the hacks—latching on to the power with a wiring harness and putting physical buttons in for heated seats. Bypass the subscription overlords instead of being a sub.

The next generation might be pretty savvy and willing; lots of the kids around my parts have cut wires and swapped parts so their e-bikes go 40mph instead of 28. They will be quick to modify, perhaps.

 

Soon we are going to own nothing and we are going to like it.

We owned albums, we stream or license it now.
We owned movies, we rent, stream or license it now.
We owned games, we rent, or license it now.
Dare I go on?

What bugs me is that, I paid $50,000 CDN / or leased on this new vehicle and I have to subscribe / pay monthly to use the seat heaters in the winter!

It’s all about money and making us into happy slaves.

 

Lol... subscription inception.

 

Y'all are gonna love this one...

https://gizmodo.com/nuras-new-earbud-subscription-service-gives-us-one-more-1847502509