Hi Tim,
This is the best response on cars and y2k that I have seen.Doesn't seem to be a significant problem.Sorry I don't remember the source.
It is very important to understand the nature of embedded chips in automobiles. The instances in
which one might have a y2k problem are very few and far between. The reasoning here is based
upon the role these chips are playing in the car. Most of the embedded systems with real time clocks
are used for synchronization and integral monitoring of conditions over time. In these cases, the actual
date the embedded system's calendar thinks it is becomes irrelevant. The chip has some epoch date
burned onto the chip as a starting date. This date may be the date of design, manufacture or
installation. The, whenever the ignition is engaged, the chip is ticking off seconds and moving the date
forward. When the ignition is not engaged, the chip is dormant. As a result, the chip itself may have a
y2k date problem, but the calendar isn't moving forward at a rate anywhere near 1 digital day per
calendar day. In this scenario, there will be little or no problem.
There is the case in which computers keep track of service times of the vehicle and warn the user
when it's time to go get your car fixed. In most cars, this will result in a "dummy light" on your dash
board turning on or an annoying "bing" sound like the door-ajar sound. I know this because my
friends Toyota Pickup has this problem. The chip thinks it's the wrong date and he is late for service
and so it "bings" all day. Annoying? Yes. Drivable? Yes.
There have been very few realistic scenarios in which a car would not operate correctly because of
date, WITH ONE VERY IMPORTANT NUANCE:
If your car has embedded systems which keep real dates (ie the clock is ticking when the car ain't
running), then the moment of rollover from 31 Dec 1999 to 01 Jan 2000 can cause the computer to
fail with unpredictable results. If you dished out less than $30K for your car, I would personally not
fret about it as you are not into the high-end of cars that have these super fancy braking systems,
suspensions systems, climate control systems, etc, which closely monitor conditions over time and
respond accordingly.
So, with many words, the summary should be - call your dealer and listen to their lawyer approved
innoculous song and dance, then, if you have a newer model car, don't drive it from 23:59:59 of 31
Dec 1999 to 00:00:01 of 01 Jan 2000, and chances are very good that everything will be just fine.
J.L.T. |
