Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by young_blood 2341 days ago
Would something like a "using unauthorized filters voids your warranty" agreement suffice? I can understand the manufacturer's desire to avoid costly repairs caused by shoddy aftermarket parts, but I don't understand the idea of rendering the end product totally unusable.

To put it another way, should my car stop running entirely if it detects that I'm using a "non-GM-certified" cabin air filter?
1 comments
behringer 2341 days ago
You would definitely want that. Here's a common every day example. Imagine for example you use the wrong oil that destroys your engine and when GM inspects the oil they say it was non certified so you need to pay 5k in repairs... I have no doubt you would not have minded if the engine refused to start if it detected the wrong thing.
link
young_blood 2341 days ago
I wholeheartedly disagree. I would much rather have some sort of warning than to have the decision made for me. If an indicator in the dash turned on saying "the oil is not the correct viscosity," then I would be able to decide to not run the vehicle.

Imagine you were stranded somewhere and the only option was to use the wrong oil. Sure, it may destroy the vehicle, but at least you would be able to run the vehicle and (hopefully) get to safety before your engine block melts. My issue is when the decision has been made that "you _might_ break it, so we've taken the choice away."

Another example might be, should users not be allowed to install programs on their computer because those programs might interfere with the computer's performance?

link
Dylan16807 2340 days ago
If it only detected actually wrong oil, that's a reasonable design. But that would basically never be the design goal.

And you should never have a warranty voided for doing an unauthorized but valid adjustment/repair.

link
JohnFen 2341 days ago
> I have no doubt you would not have minded if the engine refused to start if it detected the wrong thing

In your example, I still would absolutely have minded such enforced nonsense.

link
notyourday 2340 days ago
Penzoil, Mobil 1, Castrol, Total, ProCare, Valvoline and even Pep Boys brand disagrees.
link
behringer 2340 days ago
How about Dollar General brand? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js94bcbt5nU
link