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You Can Reboot Your Computer; Why Not Your Car?

Forbes -- Owners of late-model Ford and Lincoln brand vehicles recently received something unusual in the mail: a thumb-sized USB flash drive.

Ford Motor mailed more than 250,000 of the tiny data storage devices to its customers in response to widespread criticism of the company’s MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch dashboard entertainment system. Each memory stick contained a much-needed software update to fix bugs and make the system faster and more user-friendly. Owners simply plug the device into their car’s USB port and follow the prompts on the dashboard screen (or have a dealer do it).

Of course, there are a couple of hitches: To install the new software, the car needs to be running for about an hour. And you can’t use the radio. (Gee, that’s not inconvenient.)

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Submitted Apr 16, 2012 By: eromitlab

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,650 Points:1,612,445 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 19, 2012 4:58:02 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse In today's world with the iPod and other devices to stream any entertainment, it's no big deal to sit there for an hour. However, it's a waste of fuel to run the vehicle that long without going anywhere.
hatmanOR Sophomore Author Oregon Posts:110 Points:164,235 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 18, 2012 10:34:00 PM Ignore hatmanOR Report Abuse not a good idea.
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:6,983 Points:2,120,540 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Apr 17, 2012 7:35:45 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse Hope they don't use a Microsoft OS. We'd be "rebooting" all the time!
Caduceus26 Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:3,916 Points:766,385 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 11:21:18 PM Ignore Caduceus26 Report Abuse You can. Just don't pay your parking fines. Your city parking enforcement will probably "reboot" your car for you. :-)
apiergallini Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:389 Points:245,305 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 10:34:49 PM Ignore apiergallini Report Abuse I don't think the author understands what "reboot" means.
Jeff1944 Champion Author South Dakota Posts:4,249 Points:1,077,545 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 7:30:24 PM Ignore Jeff1944 Report Abuse Of course, common sense solution.
fedupMN Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,969 Points:576,380 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 4:41:53 PM Ignore fedupMN Report Abuse ok
Travel1st Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:2,940 Points:474,560 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 12:22:19 PM Ignore Travel1st Report Abuse Great.
clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,359 Points:756,980 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 11:56:16 AM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse Wow
TheMeltz Champion Author Maryland Posts:2,169 Points:643,300 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 11:48:11 AM Ignore TheMeltz Report Abuse it will all happen over WiFi or 4G eventually.
IrishCowboy Champion Author Fort Wayne Posts:1,432 Points:573,975 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 11:37:11 AM Ignore IrishCowboy Report Abuse Somehow this makes me very uncomfortable.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,090 Points:2,348,435 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 11:14:15 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Reboot my car? - I can't get my apps to update on the iphone and my car is so old it does not know what a computer is. But, using a flash card is a good way to update the cars electronics if that's how it's done. A long cable to the computer from the car is not very practicable. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. Consider using other forms of less expensive transportation to lower your cost, if possible! The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
gknee09 All-Star Author Philadelphia Posts:985 Points:825,515 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 11:12:40 AM Ignore gknee09 Report Abuse technology . . pros and cons
SUV2009 Champion Author Orlando Posts:4,423 Points:1,145,915 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 10:26:37 AM Ignore SUV2009 Report Abuse This effect gas how!
Rehorsehay All-Star Author California Posts:871 Points:45,925 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 10:11:07 AM Ignore Rehorsehay Report Abuse Its going to cost more to fix your car!
millerin Champion Author Orlando Posts:2,327 Points:485,140 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 10:03:34 AM Ignore millerin Report Abuse hmmm...
KarateDude Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,490 Points:838,245 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:45:02 AM Ignore KarateDude Report Abuse Just yet another computer related device to get compromised and get infected by viruses...
mikerroy Champion Author Albuquerque Posts:2,581 Points:724,595 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:41:02 AM Ignore mikerroy Report Abuse Ok
Ken2OD Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:9,087 Points:1,974,865 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:34:47 AM Ignore Ken2OD Report Abuse Older cars were much easier to repair. All you needed in the 1930's and 1940's was a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. My dad even had a set of feeler gauges to set the gap for our spark plugs. I remember that my uncle drove his old Ford Model A or Model T from Detroit and I would play inside his car and screw up the settings for his "Spark Advance" levers. He was not a happy camper. [Edited by: Ken2OD at 4/16/2012 10:38:13 AM EST]
BM4225 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:10,134 Points:2,097,220 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:27:44 AM Ignore BM4225 Report Abuse Heck I'm concerned that the computer chip in my 98 Malibu may fail, I understand the cost is like $500+ to replace, what will it cost in today's cars?
maxcap59 Champion Author Texas Posts:2,787 Points:596,920 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:18:55 AM Ignore maxcap59 Report Abuse Oh, great. If cars are going to start being as reliable as computers, I'm getting a bike!
lpatti1 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:10,216 Points:1,966,185 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:18:15 AM Ignore lpatti1 Report Abuse Go for it!
teatiger Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,695 Points:1,479,790 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:15:57 AM Ignore teatiger Report Abuse why not, just no on the expressway!
RedskinGas Champion Author Tennessee Posts:2,018 Points:1,131,035 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:15:40 AM Ignore RedskinGas Report Abuse So?
maske_2222 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:7,422 Points:1,500,005 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:15:07 AM Ignore maske_2222 Report Abuse Interesting......
fuel2use Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,499 Points:735,345 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:14:51 AM Ignore fuel2use Report Abuse Interesting.
puinsai808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,559 Points:730,230 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:14:47 AM Ignore puinsai808 Report Abuse It's just reloading the entertainment system and not the ECU.
FuelPump Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:21,481 Points:3,417,925 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:12:37 AM Ignore FuelPump Report Abuse Sounds like its not quite ready for prime time!
INBwana Champion Author Indiana Posts:5,486 Points:698,910 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:12:23 AM Ignore INBwana Report Abuse Ah! A new meaning for Car Crashes!
Hunter114 Champion Author Chicago Posts:9,133 Points:1,452,660 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:12:23 AM Ignore Hunter114 Report Abuse Make sure it's debugged first.
car54BC Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,327 Points:1,258,505 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:12:14 AM Ignore car54BC Report Abuse Strange your car has to be running for about an hour.
savingsyes Rookie Author El Paso Posts:35 Points:3,845 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:12:13 AM Ignore savingsyes Report Abuse At least they are doing something to fix the problem.
Indy1 All-Star Author Quad Cities Posts:877 Points:805,825 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:11:52 AM Ignore Indy1 Report Abuse Like "BlueVanGroup" post.
olebufnav Champion Author Omaha Posts:3,994 Points:1,026,155 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:11:44 AM Ignore olebufnav Report Abuse Hope they idiot-proofed this so some dodo doesn't try to load this on I-80.
Topless2012 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,452 Points:484,965 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:11:19 AM Ignore Topless2012 Report Abuse Stupid article.
Topless2012 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,452 Points:484,965 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:10:50 AM Ignore Topless2012 Report Abuse Technology will kill us.
RBob Champion Author Portland Posts:3,389 Points:2,350,800 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:09:51 AM Ignore RBob Report Abuse Good start of a good idea.
BlueVanGroup Champion Author Colorado Posts:7,214 Points:1,531,320 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:09:38 AM Ignore BlueVanGroup Report Abuse Found on the 'net: From GM: If Microsoft made cars: 1. For no reason whatsoever your car would crash twice a day. 2. Every time they repainted the lines on the road you would have to buy a new car. 3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason, and you would just accept this, restart and drive on. 4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn, would cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to reinstall the engine. 5. Only one person at a time could use the car, unless you bought "Car95" or "CarNT." But then you would have to buy more seats. 6. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, reliable, five times as fast, and twice as easy to drive, but would only run on five per cent of the roads. 7. The oil, water temperature and alternator warning lights would be replaced by a single "general car default" warning light. 8. New seats would force everyone to have the same size butt. 9. The airbag system would say "Are you sure?" before going off. 10. Occasionally for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned the key, and grab hold of the radio antenna. 11. GM would require all car buyers to also purchase a deluxe set of Rand McNally road maps (now a GM subsidiary), even though they neither need them nor want them. Attempting to delete this option would immediately cause the car's performance to diminish by 50% or more. Moreover, GM would become a target for investigation by the Justice Department. 12. Every time GM introduced a new model car buyers would have to learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the same manner as the old car. 13. You'd press the "start" button to shut off the engine.
htd2007 Veteran Author Twin Cities Posts:476 Points:135,185 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:08:22 AM Ignore htd2007 Report Abuse since it's started from fresh each time you start your car
zimowski Champion Author San Jose Posts:6,686 Points:1,587,390 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:08:21 AM Ignore zimowski Report Abuse Technology is everywhere.
YarnDragon Rookie Author Toronto Posts:82 Points:45,595 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:07:37 AM Ignore YarnDragon Report Abuse If it saves auto owners money...then this sounds like a good thing.
Furrykids Sophomore Author Gainesville Posts:230 Points:558,290 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:07:26 AM Ignore Furrykids Report Abuse I wish I could reboot my Civic
erik_8 All-Star Author Toronto Posts:534 Points:546,210 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:07:21 AM Ignore erik_8 Report Abuse Later, there are more and more electronic things in car. This will happen more often.
puinsai808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,559 Points:730,230 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:07:03 AM Ignore puinsai808 Report Abuse Cool.
ChristinaCricke Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,758 Points:770,500 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:06:47 AM Ignore ChristinaCricke Report Abuse A big differences between a car and a computer!
hibsaw Champion Author Mississippi Posts:8,057 Points:1,684,890 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:04:49 AM Ignore hibsaw Report Abuse Now that will make gasoline prices go up.
BigBrat Champion Author Phoenix Posts:2,679 Points:1,055,000 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:04:34 AM Ignore BigBrat Report Abuse Can't the dealer reflash the computer???
Black Wagon Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,327 Points:1,805,695 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:02:15 AM Ignore Black Wagon Report Abuse Why do you need a dashboard entertainment system?
eddyp94 Champion Author Ontario Posts:8,163 Points:1,660,835 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:01:51 AM Ignore eddyp94 Report Abuse Don't care, just lower oil prices...
ibhenry Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,536 Points:457,945 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2012 9:01:40 AM Ignore ibhenry Report Abuse sounds like an easy fix.