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Vehicle Data Collection and
Event Data Recorders
Your vehicle, like other modern motor vehicles,
has a number of sophisticated computer systems
that monitor and control several aspects of the
vehicle’s performance. Your vehicle uses
on-board vehicle computers to monitor emission
control components to optimize fuel economy,
to monitor conditions for airbag deployment
and, if the vehicle has the Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS), to provide anti-lock braking and
to help the driver control the vehicle in difficult
driving situations. Some information may be stored
during regular operations to facilitate repair of
detected malfunctions; other information is stored
only in a crash event by computer systems,
such as those commonly called Event Data
Recorders (EDR).
In a crash event, computer systems, such as the
airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)
in your vehicle may record information about the
condition of the vehicle and how it was operated,
such as data related to engine speed, brake
application, throttle position, vehicle speed, safety
belt usage, airbag readiness, airbag performance,
and the severity of a collision. This information
has been used to improve vehicle crash
performance and may be used to improve
crash performance of future vehicles and driving
safety. Unlike the data recorders on many
airplanes, these on-board systems do not
record sounds, such as conversation of vehicle
occupants.
To read this information, special equipment is
needed and access to the vehicle or the device
that stores the data is required. GM will not access
information about a crash event or share it with
others other than:
• with the consent of the vehicle owner or,
if the vehicle is leased, with the consent of
the lessee,
• in response to an official request of police
or similar government office,
• as part of GM’s defense of litigation through
the discovery process, or
• as required by law.
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