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Removing the modem and GPS from my 2024 RAV4 hybrid

arkadiyt.com

421–430 of 605 posts

Re: Removing the modem and GPS from my 2024 RAV4 hybrid

#421

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The car probably doesn't have perfect knowledge of speed limits across Europe.

The car reads the speed limit signs too, they don't just rely on GPS.

In some countries the speed limit can change without a explicit sign (speed limits cancelling out at intersections / changes in pavement, etc.). In my experience, in multiple instances the systems offered a speed limit that is higher than the actual one, which can be dangerous if you're just blindly trusting the clanker

Re: Removing the modem and GPS from my 2024 RAV4 hybrid

#422
post #409

Does anyone have any details on this claim? Important: Even after the modem is removed, if you connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth then the car will use your phone as an internet connection and send all the same telemetry data back to Toyota. However, if you use a wired USB connection then it does not do that (see the discussion here and elsewhere), so I exclusively use CarPlay via USB. I wish I had a way to…

Yeah, I'm a little suspicious about that claim. Bluetooth tethering is a thing, actually predates wifi tethering. Though it's not enabled unless you enable Personal Hotspot in your phone settings (and Android requires it to be enabled separately). CarPlay complicates things, as it only uses bluetooth to pair, then it switches to using a wifi network (as bluetooth doesn't have anywhere near enough bandwidth). Maybe Ap…

My iPhone automatically shares the internet without enabling hotspot with my Toyota via Bluetooth. It happens automatically. I just start the car, and it happens. And CarPlay is not involved, since there is no such thing in my car.

Re: Removing the modem and GPS from my 2024 RAV4 hybrid

#423

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And once you've gotten rid of Google and Apple, your telecom company tracks you, your CC payments help track you and even cameras in public do. It's hard to not want to throw your hands in the air screaming "whatever" when almost everything you use in public is somehow used to track you either as you move around, or in the future.

This is one of those things that can't ever be solved with individual solutions but needs to be solved through legislation and standards, and ideally a fundamental right to privacy (and a fundamental redefinition of what privacy means when it comes to corporate surveillance of individuals).

Needless to say, cars in the UK/EU have no such privacy invading features without an explicit opt-in thanks to sensible data protection legislation; including the GDPR.

The FUD spouted on here by the scummy adtech industry about legislation to protect YOUR privacy is mind boggling. These are the people doing the digital equivalent of sniffing your underwear to work out what you had for breakfast.

(And before somebody shouts FUD about the UK/EU vehicle eCall 112 system, that certainly doesn't track you or seek to invade your privacy on any level!)

Re: Removing the modem and GPS from my 2024 RAV4 hybrid

#424
post #77

Modern cars are horrible. I recently discovered that all new cars sold in the EU constantly beep at you for supposedly speeding, even though the system doesn’t work well, and it has to be turned off every time you start the car.

Lane assistance on hire cars piss me off. If I need to swerve I shouldn't need to be pulling against the wheel -.-

I'll raise you that.....

A completely empty straight country road with just a cyclist ahead of me. I pull out to pass the cyclist with plenty of room, and the lane assist tries to swerve me into the poor bugger. Very alarming considering I had no idea the car had such a "safety" feature.

Re: Removing the modem and GPS from my 2024 RAV4 hybrid

#425
post #133

I would like everyone to know that if you have a brand new Kia, the process is even easier. I spent $20 on the Kia service manual access (didn't even know that was a thing until I read OP's post) it finally figured it out. Modern Kias with the CCNC cockpit have a data connectivity unit that exclusively handles cellular. If you can get this unit unplugged, which only requires two Phillips head screws to remove, your s…

Any clues on how to disable any telemetry on a Kia Stinger?

Yes!! I still have access to all their service manuals for the next 48 hours.

What's your year model and engine? I'll look it up.

Re: Removing the modem and GPS from my 2024 RAV4 hybrid

#426

Buy Nissan instead, they will do that for you free of charge. I own 2021 Nissan Leaf and Nissan sent me an email early this year telling that the communication infrastructure costs too much for them and they are taking it down. Jokes aside, I am seriously pissed at Nissan because it was one of reasons I bought it in the first place: to pre-heat or pre-cool the car remotely before going to work, while it is still plug…

How are you dealing with the chademo only charger thing?

Not sure what you mean, maybe it depends on region. I am in EU and have Type 2 and CHAdeMO connectors. I only charge at home and travel to go to work and back, so barely ever use CHAdeMO. I agree, though, that I don't and wouldn't travel long distances with this car.

Re: Removing the modem and GPS from my 2024 RAV4 hybrid

#427
post #339

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On Android there is an option called "Bluetooth tethering - Share phone's internet connection via Bluetooth" . If it is On and you are connected to the car's bluetooth it will have internet access via your phone.

That's Bluetooth PAN. I would be very surprised that a car will implement this profile.

I have a 2025 Renault 4 etech and I frequently enable bluetooth thethering so I can access Spotify, HBO etc via the in car entertainment system (It runs a flavour of Android called OpenR Link) , not via android auto. Though I frequently need to enable the bluetooth tethering setting on the phone before the profile can be activated via the cars paired devices menu (where you can select other profiles such as Audio, calling, etc)

While the car has a sim card already, I can't use it for general purpose apps without a subscription. Only updates, remote control and I suppose telemetry.

I usually opt for choosing a bluetooth tether instead of wifi since I already establish a connection for calls, or music / audio books.

It isn't hard to imagine Android being able to transmit vehicle telemetry via the same means.

Re: Removing the modem and GPS from my 2024 RAV4 hybrid

#428
post #406
post #133

I would like everyone to know that if you have a brand new Kia, the process is even easier. I spent $20 on the Kia service manual access (didn't even know that was a thing until I read OP's post) it finally figured it out. Modern Kias with the CCNC cockpit have a data connectivity unit that exclusively handles cellular. If you can get this unit unplugged, which only requires two Phillips head screws to remove, your s…

If you are considering purchasing a Kia, insist on getting a loaner or a 24 hour test drive. The active driver assistance features are criminally dangerous. Sadly, the current administration is more interested in illegally locking Kia’s engineers in cages than actually enforcing consumer protection or safety regulations. Anyway, avoid them and Hyundai. If you don’t believe me, drive in rush hour for 30 minutes and fr…

I hired a peugeot something (MPV) to drive in the french alps and it was insanely dangerous.

Driving mountainous switchbacks with very tight corners it was so strict about not wanting to cross the central line that it frequently tried to dump me into either the mountain or over the cliff.

Similarly on straight 2 lane roads where only really the centre was clear of snow and ice it was adamant that I should be driving with 2 wheels in deep snow instead of daring to drive in the middle.

Re: Removing the modem and GPS from my 2024 RAV4 hybrid

#429
post #423

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is one of those things that can't ever be solved with individual solutions but needs to be solved through legislation and standards, and ideally a fundamental right to privacy (and a fundamental redefinition of what privacy means when it comes to corporate surveillance of individuals).

Needless to say, cars in the UK/EU have no such privacy invading features without an explicit opt-in thanks to sensible data protection legislation; including the GDPR. The FUD spouted on here by the scummy adtech industry about legislation to protect YOUR privacy is mind boggling. These are the people doing the digital equivalent of sniffing your underwear to work out what you had for breakfast. (And before somebody…

> (And before somebody shouts FUD about the UK/EU vehicle eCall 112 system, that certainly doesn't track you or seek to invade your privacy on any level!)

How do you know?

BTW, the checking all the opt-ins is usually the first thing the sales person does when selling a new car.

Re: Removing the modem and GPS from my 2024 RAV4 hybrid

#430

It’s pretty unhelpful to list off other ways one’s privacy could be compromised in response to efforts like this. Privacy isn’t all all or nothing binary choice. Taking measures to improve privacy are worthwhile, even if you don’t continue the journey to absolute anonymity.

Exactly! I feel like a lot of people in these comments are saying privacy isn't achieved by doing this, and then move the goalposts to apple / google tracking you. I would love if we could just keep this about the scope of the car, and to that end I am so thankful of OP because after reading his article I was able to disable my car telemetry in 20 minutes. I've been wanting to do this for years but had no idea where to look. Spent hours on Google and couldn't get anywhere.
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