Electric functions in cars being removed by manufacturer

[ebikeerwidnes]

Hi all

Just seen this
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/14/nissan-leaf-app-shutdown-nissanconnect-ev-app

so basically some remote functions in Nissan Leaf cars - such as remotely switching on the heating - are being "discontinued"

made me wonder what other things manufacturers have removed from cars

In my case - my car is a petrol one - so should be OK

but no - the sat nav is supposed to have a life time traffic function so it can direct you on the best route based on current traffic
and not just the best route based on empty roads

But apparently the licence for it is life-time

but there is a clause saying that if the monitoring company discontinues the product then that's just tough!

Sounds like Honda were annoyed and tried to make them stick to the concept of the deal but failed


I presume electric and hybrids can have it worse

but what else have they removed??

 

[Drago]

The link is a story, yet in some ways a non story.

The charge can be controlled by the charger app. Usually not as versatile as the car makers app, but you can still set limits on time, capacity, prices, etc.

Pre-heat can be done by programming the car when parking up, or often via the charging app (Ohme allows us to do this).

So theyre not losing much functionality, its just not going to be as neat and tidy as having it in one handy app at their fingertips. A bit of a first World problem.

In Mrs D's new car she can opt to use the system architecture, which is Google based, or operate via carplay/android auto, so even if Volvo started cutting functions everything else is duplicated off her phone.

Even my van has certain functions that can be controlled via the app, but nothing that cant be done via other means.

I can see eyebrows being raised, but taking time out to moan to the Guardian is taking thjngs too far. With starvation and war ravaging the planet it seems odd to waste bandwidth on life being made ever so slightly less convenient.

 

[sungod]

anything you 'buy' that relies on remote infrastructure is unlikely to outlast dumb stuff

many people who installed 'smart home' devices/appliances have found this out the hard way

cars with 'subscription' features are a bad sign too - manufacturers like the revenue stream, but once vehicles get old and operational costs exceed revenue they can just abandon them, or not extend services on resold cars, which kills resale value (and drives new sales of course)

 

[Sharky]

I think BMW started the trend, when they stopped installing indicators in some of their cars!

 

[tyred]

I hope Toyota don't shut down all the electric functions in my twenty year old Yaris.

 

[Drago]

I hope Toyota don't shut down all the electric functions in my twenty year old Yaris.

Indeed. You'd be buggered without that courtesy light!

 

[tyred]

Indeed. You'd be buggered without that courtesy light!

I'll have you know I have modern features like windscreen wipers.

 

[classic33]

I'll have you know I have modern features like windscreen wipers.

Working wipers!

 

[oxoman]

I wish they would remove some of the so called safety functions or at least make them switchable for cars after 2024.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I wish they would remove some of the so called safety functions or at least make them switchable for cars after 2024.

WHen I got this car I spent a while going through the menus trying to switch as many warning beeps off as possible

basically it went beep and you had no clue what on Earth it was on about so you could easily end up looking all over when without them you would probably have seen it anyway but didn;t as you were glancing at the dashboard and all round the car looking for flashing lights

 

[geocycle]

WHen I got this car I spent a while going through the menus trying to switch as many warning beeps off as possible

basically it went beep and you had no clue what on Earth it was on about so you could easily end up looking all over when without them you would probably have seen it anyway but didn;t as you were glancing at the dashboard and all round the car looking for flashing lights

Yes! I am working through those on my new Renault. It made a noise when you approached it (or left it) loud enough to wake the neighbours, when you got in you had a few bars of Jean Michel Jarre, I’ve turned off the assistant, now trying to track down the ‘high vigilance zone’ warning which sounds like a door bell. I’ve also had to turn down the noise on the indicator. At least these can be turned off but why do they think they are wanted in the first place!

 

[oxoman]

Lane departure hates it when you play dodge the pothole or drive down narrow country roads with white line. Anti collision system that slams on the brakes as you go around very tight bends with anything on the bend. First long ride in a new car with this there were cars parked up in a carpark that faced you as you went around the 90 degree plus bend, I nearly 💩 myself when the dash lit up and brakes activated. Luckily no one behind, pre 24 cars is selectable after that tough its not. My sons car wont let you drive with any door open, great when trying to manoeuvre into tight spaces in a workshop.Might just buy an older car without this trickery.

 

[fossyant]

Fortunately, my van doesn't grab steering wheels etc, and features can be turned off, but as it's not affecting my input I've left them. Collision detection is set to maximum distance - just reminds you that you are too close to the car in front, which is no bad think. Lane departure bongs at you. Open the door when the engine is on and in gear, my word, a loud siren goes off !

 

[fossyant]

I have a £99 subscription (I don't take it) for it to give me live traffic on the built in sat nav and the emergency SOS button/breakdown access. I don't need them. If I need traffic, google maps.

 

[CXRAndy]

My new vehicle won't have any European safety systems built in. Im importing Japanese made vehicle, with no built in head unit or GPS features.

I'll retrofit an aftermarket head unit, which isn't subject to those regs