Hi Jack and Norm,

This is one of the reasons why we bought an early 2000's Case IH tractor as it has an on board diagnostic function that can be accessed easily by turning the ignition key and holding down a button on the dashboard. The newer Case IH tractors I worked on at the dealership all had to be plugged into the computer and Case IH charge the dealer $50 for every log in.

The dealers here in Aus usually have a mobile service vehicle but the cost to get them out is astronomical. Shop rates where I worked were around $110-150 per hour, which is charged to the customer from the time the mechanic leaves the workshop until the mechanic returns. For most people it is just too expensive except for the big dairy farms who seem to be happy to live constantly in debt by buying the newest & biggest tractor to keep up with the Joneses so to speak.

The newer cars are heading the same way especially in regards to the DPF (diesel particulate filter) as when it clogs with soot and can't automatically burn off it switches into low performance mode until you take it to the dealer for them to plug the computer in.

What is great about the automotive sector is a lot of diagnostic tools have been made to connect to these cars using the SAE standardised OBD (on board diagnostic) connector. However, not every diagnostic tool is capable of programming new parts or clearing codes.

This is one well known diagnostic tool: http://www.gscan.com.au

There seems to be a small interest in simple albeit electric vehicles such as the Bollinger Motors 4x4 but getting it ADR approved could be difficult.

http://bollingermotors.com

It is hard to see what is going to happen in the future and is concerning that we are so happy to lease out ports etc.

I wonder if the reason the government are pushing wind power etc is because we've sold off or closed down virtually all of our oil refineries and coal power stations we have no ability to survive a siege. Although I can't see electric fighter jets being built any time soon...

Same with the driverless car, it is controlled by GPS and in turn the government.

I'm in my 20's and I'm sure things will be a lot different by the time I'm 50 if not earlier.