Flaky software could crash your car

[KrasH]

Well here in Australia the Holden Maloo ute (Holden is GM) has a pretty meaty V8 motor, goes pretty quick, but it is known that when the computer in the cars management has a fit (quite offen)the car would shut down and then the car has to be taken to a dealer to get the computer reset.

I myself drive a 2003 Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo (impressive car, pretty quick, wieghs 1,785kg, 4.0ltr straight 6, turbo charged at 6psi max, 240kw, 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds, 0-400m in 13.95 seconds) and most of the cars systems are integrated into the computer (engine management system, Car audio, car alarm, smart lock, basically everything with electrinics). Smart car makers integrate safe guards upon safe guards to basically make something fool proof. EG. The accelerator system in my car is computer controlled, no wire going from the accelerator directly to the throttle body. There are actually 3 sensors in and around the accelerator peddle. If even one of the of the sensors fails (has a slightly different value to the others) the computer will then make the engine only rev at 2,500 rpm max, thus allowing for safe stopping. Hasn't happened to anyone as far as I know. Although there had been the odd engine shutdown due to computer stuffing around in the first few months of the model (BA Falcon) being available. Even when this happened the computer would reset it's values and let the car go as if nothing had happened. But since then PCM updates have solved those minor software issues that made the engine stop. Although the updates until a few months ago were unable to happen properly due to some software issues with the WDS software thanks to FORD in the US. Basically the PCM had to be updated physically, whereas now it's all done in software.

The engine management system is also adaptive. This basically means that the computer changes values depending on the way you drive the car. I have 13,500km on the clock and I've gotta say that the engine feels better and smoother. No more of the "computer is holding it back" feel it used to have

Personally I can't wait for the 15,000km service apparently there are some nice computer updates that are now available for my car.

That said, the only good software is software that can recover safely after a failure. Last thing you need is for an unforseen condition to accure and then have the engine stop on you. In terms of brakes, these are one thing that will always stay like the old way. Not computer controlled thats for sure.

[KrasH]

A bloke I know had a brand new 5 series BMW go up in flames for no reason a few weeks ago. All that was left was the cars body shell..

In terms of reliability there is no car on the planet that is 100% perfect. The nature of production lines.

[KrasH]

Unlike some other cars, the BA Falcon has everything integrated cosmetically aswell... No adding after market stereos in the console, but there are ways around it. Standard stereo has an LCD screen, whereas the premium stereo (which I have) has colour screen (and it's 6 disc in dash, has a 150watt amp that powers a subwoofer in the back.) The screens have all the stereo/radio, A/c time etc integrated. Anyways, all to do with security and insurance premiums. That's why I pay about 1/4 of the insurance premiums that a similarly performing and priced Suburu WRX does, even though they have 6 point immobilizers etc. They have a normal stereo, so people steal them.

Anyways, many an American car reviewer has tested the XR6 Turbo here in Australia. The most common thread "The Falcon XR6 Turbo is what the Ford Taurus should've been, but is no where near".  Apparently one of the ford execs in Detroit has one of these Australian Made Falcon XR6 Turbo's as his ride

Some history. A few years back FoMoCo in the US wanted to stop the falcon and replace it with the Taurus here in Australia. But then Ford Australia showed them how to make a proper car, again  and again (oh the AU was a flop here, looked ugly) then again with the BA.