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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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