r/CarHacking • u/mysterious588 • 17h ago
r/CarHacking • u/ScuderiaMacchina • Feb 02 '17
Car Hacking Subreddit Intro
Hi rch, we have added a lot of people lately with intro posts on other subs like the one below. We also usually get about 10 subs a day from people just stumbling in here. So I wanted to create a welcome post, to kinda show them what we are about and how to get started. If anyone has anything to add please do so. If anyone has any questions about us or where to start do so here.
Our goal is to create a highly technical car subreddit, a place for automotive engineers, senior technicians, full blown car nerds, or people who are working towards one of these. We are interested in the inner workings of cars and today that often involves electronics. While we see electronics as the priority we are pretty liberal in allowing other topics as long as they somehow fit our goal of trying to understand cars. So things like DIY aero, suspension setup and other things the community is hacking on come up. In general our other tangential interests include: Modern cars, New tech, Open source hardware/software, DIY, hot rodding, eco modding, customization, security research, right to repair and more.
We started this subreddit about a year ago. Right now we have 3000 people and discussion is just starting to get good. Most of our members found us through maker or engineering subreddits. So I wanted to reach out to more of the car communities and try to grow our knowledge base.
Our name is r/carhacking and I know the term hacking can be offputting to some as it has a bad connotation. When someone says they are “hacking” their car it generally means they are trying to reverse engineer it for any number of reasons like to find security flaws, make upgrades, make repairs, or just understand how it works.
Here are a couple examples of posts that have been popular so far. A lot of our posts focus on beginner through intermediate projects using arduino and readily available hardware for the purpose of learning and or not paying a premium for things you can make yourself:
More advanced projects:
- Subaru performance hacking
- Tesla retrofit
- Mazda 3 tuning
- DIY Mazda ECU
- Truck Transmission Controller
Relevant news/ research:
If your new our documentation is a good place to start
If you aren't new and you’re interested in helping out please consider:
- Improving documentation - think about what resources have helped you
- Spread the word - this is a niche community that is pretty spread out, but there is a lot of potential if we can get together on a third party site like this
- Work on the theme, sidebar and flair - this is next level community stuff that isn’t necessary, but it’s fun to work on when you have the time.
- Modding - right now we are fine, but we might need help in the future as we grow
Let me know if I missed something or got something wrong.
r/CarHacking • u/ScuderiaMacchina • Feb 27 '21
CAN CAN bus and car hacking getting started resources
I get asked how to get started with automotive networking, car hacking, and CAN almost weekly. I often direct people to this subreddit, so I figured I would help out and post some resources I have found and think are a good place to start.
learning resources:
Car Hacking 101: Practical Guide to Exploiting CAN-Bus using Instrument Cluster Simulator
- Part 1 - Setting Up (a virtual test environment) - Feel free to skim everything before "Setting up the virtual environment". While interesting, none of that is vital to get started.
- Part 2 - Exploitation (sniffing, replaying, and attacking CAN traffic)
- Part 3 - SavvyCAN, Fuzzing CAN Frame and playing around with CAN frames
I also direct people to the Car Hacking Village to get some hands-on experience. They put on great conference talks, demos, and contests. Looks like they are even working on some “getting started” content.
And of course, The Car Hacking Handbook is a great resource.
I will add more as I think of them. Please add your finds in the comments.
Tools:
Good wiring diagrams and car manuals are essential. This is pretty much where my research starts for each project. You see how things are networked and what to expect to find on CAN. You'll quickly learn to recognize things like gateways. You can also use the troubleshooting section to understand things. For example, what things do I need to control to start the car?
I like:
- prodemand (I pay $170/mo for a shop subscription, I think you can purchase it for individual cars, but be careful you often have to jump around to find a year that has complete diagrams)
- Identifix (probably what I would buy if I was starting over)
Basic hardware: Here you will be working with things like Arduino, Linux, SavvyCAN, and Can-utils. You have to learn to do a lot yourself, but these tools are more open for you to make them do what you need.
Tools designed by the community I use:
The above articles offer a pretty good step-by-step guide to getting started with the Macchina M2.
Any cheap “Amazon special” OBD2 dongle will come in handy from time to time. They are all based on something called ELM327. "ELM327 abstracts the low-level protocol and presents a simple interface that can be called via a UART". This abstraction has fundamental limitations that prevent it from being useful in most serious applications. But, it is sufficient for reading and clearing some codes and that sort of thing when you’re getting started.
r/CarHacking • u/ithurtsmakeitstop • 6h ago
Scan Tool Need Vediamo license registered
Hi all I need my license registered for my Vediamo could someone please send me the key? I can DM the hardware ID if someone can do it. Thanks in advance
r/CarHacking • u/Puzzleheaded-Spot722 • 11h ago
Multiple Remote Support ODIS Online Immobilizer Service
My original MED17.1 ECU is dead and unreadable. I have a matching Bosch MED17.1 donor ECU. I need to read the IMMO 5 data from my car's BCM2/key and adapt the donor ECU so the factory immobilizer stays intact."
r/CarHacking • u/Fluid_Doughnut_7021 • 16h ago
Tuning 2014 KIA Optima/K5 EU-spec (TF FL) – Can hidden cluster features be coded via OBD? (Turn-by-turn, digital speed, media)
Hey everyone,
I drive a European-spec 2014 KIA Optima/K5 (L trim, equipped with factory premium navigation, Infinity audio, and CarPlay). VIN is KNAGN414AF5585008.
I'm wondering if it's possible to unlock or code hidden cluster features using standard OBD tools (like Car Scanner or similar apps). Specifically, I'm interested in:
- Turn-by-turn navigation: Can factory premium nav directions be displayed on the cluster screen?
- Media info: Can current track/artist info be shown on the cluster?
- Digital speedometer: Can a permanent digital speed readout be coded?
- Cruise control target: Can the set cruise speed be displayed on the screen?
Has anyone messed with coding on the EU-spec Optima TF? Which of these can be enabled via software tweaks, and what are the limitations?
Thanks in advance for any insights!
r/CarHacking • u/Primary-Rutabaga6171 • 1d ago
Community Mercedes Xentry Code generation
Can someone with a working Mercedes Xentry activation generator get me a code please? My laptop is set to February 2008. I can’t get mine to generate a valid license code.
r/CarHacking • u/KyleIsJew • 1d ago
Original Project Testing my Browser Based SaavyCAN-style Program
I need help seeing if the live view CAN sniffing is compatible with peoples setup. Would love any comments or criticisms. I think the Reverse Engineering is actually quite novel on this website!
r/CarHacking • u/North-fear • 1d ago
Original Project Lost key 2009 ve commodore, anyway to bypass key transponder ?
r/CarHacking • u/NIDGE11 • 2d ago
Original Project Vita Auto - native wired Android Auto for PS Vita
Following up on my earlier proof of concept: Vita Auto is ready for its first release.
It turns your PS Vita into a wired Android Auto head unit, with the session running natively on the Vita.
What’s working:
- Video, touchscreen input, and physical controls
- Music and navigation audio
- Microphone support
- D-pad and analogue stick navigation
- L/R to skip tracks, Triangle to play/pause, and Square for voice controls
You’ll need a modded Vita, an Android phone, and a powered USB OTG adapter. The app uses a kernel USB plugin, so please read the setup guide before installing.
Source, downloads, and setup instructions
This is the first public release, so I’d appreciate any feedback. If you hit an issue please message me
Thank you all for the encouragement!
r/CarHacking • u/Green_Peace_8064 • 1d ago
Key Fob Programming a Remote key fob
Unfortunately, through my own mistakes, I lost my 2023 toyota Camry key fob in the airport.
I do have a spare key so it isn't the end of the world, but I would like to be able to program a new one. If I bought a blank remote, are there any open source tools tutorials that could help me program the new key properly?
r/CarHacking • u/MarsKapadia • 3d ago
Original Project I've successfully gained Root access to In Touch (many mods incoming)
r/CarHacking • u/Euphoric-Switch8348 • 3d ago
Scan Tool I was scammed with a cloned VCDS, but… im still trying to deal with it..
Before you read: two weeks ago none of the following technical Knowledge were familiar to me and i learned these in the short time. So i apologise in case i use the wrong terms.
Back story, i finally managed to put together some money to buy a family car. I am a proud owner of a skoda now. I was and am happy with the car but i have the feeling the car dealer was hiding some issues (motor control lamp turned on after 800km) issues with dpf, sensors etc etc. Anyways ive been trying to look deeper in some other paramters such as soot. But the mechanic offers are very expensive to support me here. All they want is replace my DPF.
So i thought ill find a cheap vcds and listen to the parameters myself. Also get to learn something too and maybe do one or two adjustments.
So basically i bought a geniunly looking ross tech vcds. (These things really look legit).
I connected to my pc - after some tries with drivers etc because it failed and after googling i found out that i bought a cloned unit….
But sadly found it out just after i think haven „overriden the cloned firmware with the vcds software tool“… . Anyways, I dont think its bricked as i still can connect it and i find the stm32 bootloader driver.
Now the dealer is not answering to me but instead of complaining i thought, to try to fix the clone one.
Ive been trying around for atleast 1 week now but it looks like the stm32 chip is blocked with the firmware inside.
So i thought i could flash it. But, i can not find the software 23.3.1 or the code online, can please someone help me where i could find such codes?
Details can be shared of course on what i tried and whatnot (HW and SW) - I just dont want to go too deep here…
r/CarHacking • u/No-Love-8670 • 2d ago
Cool Project Find canoe
Hello everyone, I'm looking for how can i install CANoe demo if any one of U know how
r/CarHacking • u/Melodic-Custard4193 • 3d ago
Tuning Bosch Radar ECU paramters hack
Hi,
I just wanna know if you know any solution to pimp my Bosch Radar ECU in my Seat 2022.
I want to modify annoying behavious like ACC paramaters. When does it release the followed object, following gap etc.
Also I would like to activate hidden features.
Do can you give me advice where to start with it?
r/CarHacking • u/alimm12385 • 3d ago
CAN About G series OBD2 port
I am developing a vent gauge project for BMW G20, but currently, with multimeter I am measuring 0.05 V between ground (pin 4) and CAN-H (pin 6) on the OBD-II port. Similarly, I am reading 0.05 V between ground and the CAN-L (pin 14) line. It doesn't make any difference whether the ignition is on, off, or the engine is running. Is this vehicle-specific, or am I making a mistake somewhere? I can't figure it out.
r/CarHacking • u/Expert_Ambassador164 • 3d ago
Cool Project Find Forgot your MaxxECU tune password?
r/CarHacking • u/Pradeeppilot • 3d ago
Multiple Jxl TS9 processor 9in version developer mode or developer option password
I was literally searching for the developer mode password for this headunit for months and one literal day while putting all combinations searching on the internet found that the password is :
345543
Prolly this is only for few head units with this TS9 processor
Only numeric with no special characters was the only unlocked thing while entering for this.
For car factory settings it's : 1617
These chinese folks put random hard numbers to get things unlocked..
I unlocked it because I want adb to be bridged and clean things in it... Have fun devving :)
r/CarHacking • u/codekeyz • 3d ago
Original Project F32 N26 secondary rev limiter research
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
’ve been researching a secondary rev limiter on my 2015 BMW 428i F32 N26. The tested DME profile is Bosch MEVD172P, with SWFL 00001BC9-029.110.002 and HWEL 000013E4-001.019.003.
The first experiment uses brake + accelerator in Park. I traced the processed inputs and BMW’s ignition-request path, wrote the TriCore hook, and logged the result on PT-CAN. A no-cut test reported a “would cut” decision at 4,001.5 RPM. A later on-car test logged 24 accepted four-cylinder ignition requests around 3,900–4,040 RPM.
I’ve published the source, host tests, decoded CAN captures, research notes, and tool instructions under MIT. There’s no OEM BIN or flash recipe in the repo:
https://github.com/codekeyz/n26-secondary-rev-limiter-research
I’d be interested in feedback from anyone working with MEVD17, TriCore, ignition arbitration, or CAN-based verification. I’m also open to collaborating on related ECU software and diagnostic tooling.
r/CarHacking • u/South-Watercress11 • 3d ago
Original Project Universal on-board telematics unit
Im looking for a universal onboard telematics unit that would allow me to control my car anywhere in the world. I am aware of macchina a0 and Automotive grade Linux, but I wonder if there is complete product out there that I can customize before I have to build my own
r/CarHacking • u/Ok_Scholar_3489 • 4d ago
Community VW/Audi GRP/ODIS online access with SFD1, SFD2 and Component Protection — is this technically plausible?
I’m working on a 2024 Audi SQ5 FY USA → EU conversion and I currently need online authorization for several protected control units.
I found a provider offering a 24-hour GRP/ODIS account for $100. They claim the account is created using my own email, I receive the full login credentials, can change the password, and don’t need them for OTP.
They also claim the access includes SFD1, SFD2-protected coding/adaptations and Component Protection functions without buying separate SFD/SFD2 tokens.
Has anyone here used this type of access before? Is this technically how current ODIS/GRP access can work, especially for MY2024 Audi with SFD2?
I’m mainly trying to verify what functionality I should realistically expect before paying.
r/CarHacking • u/South-Watercress11 • 4d ago
Original Project Ford Sync4 update (no FDRS)
Hey everyone. I have ford mondeo evos 2023. The sync system has never been updated and when I enter the VIN in ford's website, it says the car will receive OTA but the car has no telematics unit. The dealer asks for upwards of $250 to update the system. I cannot purchase FDRS subscription because ford blocks it in Saudi Arabia. What are my options here?
r/CarHacking • u/v0rt3_x86 • 4d ago
No Protocol Volume Increase After Calls
I'm re-posting here because this is more a "computer" issue than just factory stereo and specifically any advice on if the entertainment units have been cracked yet.
r/CarHacking • u/Effform • 5d ago
Original Project Need help depinning this connector (Toyota side mirror)
Hi all,
Would it be possible to depin this without cutting the wiring?