Thread: Dangerous modifications. What’s your mind set?

On the subject of unapproved modifications that need approval, I was just reading a facebook group I am a member on.
Apparently, registration authorities are looking at modification posts on social media. They are noting registration numbers and investigating. It was mentioned some people were asked to present their vehicles for inspection and their registrations were canceled when the vehicle was not presented or failed.
Could be true, could be fake news. Either way, food for thought.

Originally Posted by manic

It was all certified and plated officer...

Aint gonna help you if you load up over GVM, drive DUI or speed. And those are the main offenders, the last two most likely to cause accidents, kill or render you destitute.

Im not worried about people driving around with custom bullbars or bullbars in general. I dont think there are many people on this forum, if any, that are posting from prison or have dropped offline because of the modifications they made to their land rovers.

Hey dont go bringing any logic to this discussion, that belongs elsewhere.

Originally Posted by matti4556

I for one am interested in the legalities of "tweaked" ECU's. Has anyone on this forum researched this enough to give an educated opinion of whether an insurance company would look for this sort of thing is a vehicle was involved in an accident that may have been attributable to the modification? - or even if its legal?
Cheers - Matti

This does not answer your question at all - just adding another curly question that I don't expect you to have an answer for: Why would any performance increase attributed to an ECU tweak ever be considered as contributing to an accident?

Bear in mind:
- Inappropriate use of the power available to a vehicle with factory stock tune can contribute to an accident.
- Even if the stock power were enhanced significantly - it will still take inappropriate use of that power to contribute to an accident.
- The maximum power that a vehicle has on tap is just a "potential" thing, until the loud pedal is "actually" pushed as far as it will go.
- Even while driving a 1000hp super car, one doesn't HAVE to use all 1000 neddies.... all the time.

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

On the subject of unapproved modifications that need approval, I was just reading a facebook group I am a member on.
Apparently, registration authorities are looking at modification posts on social media. They are noting registration numbers and investigating. It was mentioned some people were asked to present their vehicles for inspection and their registrations were canceled when the vehicle was not presented or failed.
Could be true, could be fake news. Either way, food for thought.

It’s a thing! A few “hot car” guys I know have had the message to present for inspection.

Originally Posted by tact

Why would any performance increase attributed to an ECU tweak ever be considered as contributing to an accident?

.

Yeah - understood Tact - but I was more coming from the angle of "software recalibration" that may induce glitches, faults, dead spots, sudden rapid and uncontrollable acceleration etc.. or any other coding issue that an insurer might hang onto in order to get away with an insurance claim should the car behave in an unexpected manner causing an accident. I think you get what I mean. Sort of like the mechatronics failure issue that plagued earlier VW DSG gearboxes (dead spot causing a truck to rear-end the car). I know that was caused by oil contamination of the wiring, but its the "glitches" that may exist in "tunes" that I am referring to here.
I'm guessing common law takes over and the tuner goes to court? But its still on the same topic of "risk of modifications" that the OP is discussing and looking for our opinions of what "risk" is acceptable to us. Cheers - Matti

I have no time or forgiveness for those that don't comply with the safety rules and regs, particularly when it can effect other innocent road users.

My D2a is fully engineered and has the mod plate on it. It's on the maximum for lift and tyre size that can be legally engineered in this state. The front bullbar is an ARB as I believe their designs have the R&D behind them for the airbag, hence why they're so expensive. Having tapped the front bar twice now and had to replace the crush cans I'd say it works in not setting the airbag off when it shouldn't go.

In saying all the above, I have two non compliant issues on my rig at the moment due to the location that some driving lights are mounted. I'm currently reconsidering my options with these but am confident they won't cause any issue to my driving, other road users or worsen a crash.

Originally Posted by matti4556

Yeah - understood Tact - but I was more coming from the angle of "software recalibration" that may induce glitches, faults, dead spots, sudden rapid and uncontrollable acceleration etc.. or any other coding issue that an insurer might hang onto in order to get away with an insurance claim should the car behave in an unexpected manner causing an accident. I think you get what I mean. Sort of like the mechatronics failure issue that plagued earlier VW DSG gearboxes (dead spot causing a truck to rear-end the car). I know that was caused by oil contamination of the wiring, but its the "glitches" that may exist in "tunes" that I am referring to here.
I'm guessing common law takes over and the tuner goes to court? But its still on the same topic of "risk of modifications" that the OP is discussing and looking for our opinions of what "risk" is acceptable to us. Cheers - Matti

With you on that.... (tunes if causing operational issues that result in accidents being a real nasty).

Lightheartedly: The BAS tunes remove some ugly aspects of the stock tune on Defenders (kangaroo'ing etc). Perhaps we should get reduced price insurance BECAUSE of the aftermarket tune!

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Not a good example.
Last I looked, any domestic wiring requires a safety certificate issued by a REC.
.......

Not in NZ, as I understand it, where the work is carried out by the owner. It still needs to meet the wiring codes. The typical example is the replacement of a switch, power point, light fitting etc, where Australia requires it to be done/signed off by someone with a ticket.