Hi,
I follow a couple of online sites that have ezines for auto techs. Some of the stuff you see is a little amazing. The following are about imports, but I've seen stories about US brands as well.

Here goes
Toyota and Honda have decided that you don't want to replace individual fuses. So they've made multi fuse modules with the fuses apparently permanently connected. Toyota's are the worst since they are quite difficult to remove, but they both have the other issues. You can't replace individual fuses and you can't pull fuses when looking for problems. You also can't measure current by replacing the fuse with an ammeter.
Plus the replacement modules are spendy.

Nissan has an Intelligent Power Module that offers one convenience(kind of). If you have a short in your headlight circuit (and maybe others), it will remove power to the circuit. This will allow you to continue to start and drive the car. But don't ignore the warning icon because after a few startups ( 5 or so), the module will fail -- $$$

Plus it has relays -- in sockets. But you can't buy replacements -- Nissan says that you need a new module.

Not to be outdone, BMW has a cool feature on some models. If you need to replace the battery, they don't want you using an external power source to avoid losing your settings. If you do, it can put the vehicle in a lock up mode that probably requires a sophisticated scan tool to correct. (It won't start or run when it's in this mode. )

Also, you have to register the new battery and provide specs -- including whether it's a brand new battery or not. BMW alters the charging profile based on the battery's condition -- as provided by the user. They use sophisticated AGM batteries -- probably because of the high power draw from the fans that cool the turbos after shutdown.

As it says in the title -- they must hate us.

hj

 

They like your money though, so there's that.

 

“They” sounds like the gubmint. Makes sense. Now that everything has been CAFEd to death, let’s find other ways to get rid of potential waste (fuses, etc).

I’m seriously thinking it will be time to hoard some 9th Gen F150s or a 90s Club Wagon if I ever have a family sizeable enough to warrant it.

 

Ever notice how engine displacements have gotten smaller and smaller, while wheel and tire diameters have gotten bigger and bigger with every passing year?

 

More and more, I want to buy an OBS truck completely restored as my DD. Better yet, I want a fleet of pre-OBDII vehicles to send a middle finger to the manufacturers. A friend of mine is doing it right...out of 8-9 trucks, a 1994 is the newest one he owns.

I swear, this 2018 F350 of mine will be the newest truck I want to own. Already too many damn issues with the 2020+ trucks.