> The proposal would require automakers to make wireless repair and diagnostic information available to independent shops in Maine. Only car manufacturers and dealerships have access to data collected by the wireless technology that is in most new vehicles today.

> That means many consumers need to take their cars to a dealership to diagnose and fix a problem, leaving independent shops out of the loop, said Tim Winkeler, president of VIP Tires and Service in Maine.

This also has broader implications and can help ensure that products sold here are not locked behind an impenetrable wall of DRM.

>> said Tim Winkeler, president of VIP Tires and Service in Maine

Man, they really should have picked a different guy to be the public face for this.

Ha, yeah no doubt.

Still, I will take a win for consumers.

As someone married to an independent shop owner, this would be good. He's had to turn away work because it's beyond what his computers can do. It's frustrating for him and the vehicle owners.

Tim Winkeler is a good guy. I worked with him many years ago when he first came to VIP and he was the kind of executive that would strike up a conversation with any employee and show genuine interest beyond pointless small talk.

VIP is the worst. Changed rotors on a three year old Honda. They weren’t even bad, so I took them back and told them they did work I didn’t need done. They look for stuff. Then years later, I had my mothers car and it needed an inspection so I took it there as it was available. They stuck a piece of metal in the brake pad. I saw them looking and looking at the engine (not needed for inspection) and I knew. Car never gave me issues until I drove it from that place. Never went back.

Which location? It was unfortunately hit or miss.

Say what you will, they're among the largest independent chains of shops.

My new prius has a 4G connection to Toyota motherland, so if I ever get a check engine light, they'll know about it. I can't disable it without also killing my hands-free phone-- I've tried. I told Toyota to ignore my car but you know how that goes...

I had never heard a single thing about this until three people outside Market Basket approached us about it.

And I read the news all the time, so either I'm uneducated or this is a mole in Whack-a-Mole that popped up only a mere few weeks before Election Day.

Oh hell yeah, I'll sign the fuck out of this. Even if it is also supported by the absolute crooks at VIP lol.

It's something they're trying to get on the ballot for next year, not related to the Election Day that's coming up.

Westbrook/Portland line.

We're all on the same side regardless, since this would also help ensure continued business for the small independent shops lots of us trust.

Where do I sign? Was hoping the article might have a link to sign online? Is that a thing?

For what we pay for car insurance it should cover mechanical and electrical repairs too. I bet if that was the case a dependable car would be more affordable

I wish it covered more than vehicles, but I broke my policy on not signing for paid signature gatherers to sign it.

No thanks. We've combined catastrophic insurance with routine prepaid healthcare in the US for the last 70 years here. Look how well that's turned out.

Ahh. I usually took my car to the Scarborough or South Portland location.

Yeah, my husband and I take our car to a friend in Buxton now. I trust him!

They were canvassing in Biddeford at the Market Basket a few weeks ago. Signed it there.

Ah...yeah, disregarding that last bit lol. I had forgotten they made mention of that when I came across them.

How about the vehicle owner?....

I don't know what you're asking here.

That's becoming the case with inflation and the cost of replacement parts.

For a ballot initiative no, I'm pretty sure it has to be in person physical signatures

Right on, well hopefully I see them outside the polls

Does the proposal allow owners to get the information to do their own repairs, or just businesses?

Ohhhh.

I don't know. I imagine it would be confined to ASE certified techs or some shit.

Oh I did this at the town dump the other day. I normally ignore those. But I stopped, the kid was super nice

VIP really is. Used to go to them just for the convenience of getting in the next day, but after they charged my mother almost $200 for 8 lugnuts (roughly $27 a piece) after a simple brake job, I refuse to give them another penny.

I signed a petition last week outside Market Basket in Westbrook!

You can buy an extended warranty for that. In fact I've been trying to reach you...

The more I read about the kind of anti-consumer bullshit they're pulling with new cars, the more I figure buying my next car will involve a trip out west, outside of the salt belt, to get something that's at least 20 years old.