304Customer informationVehicle data recording
and privacy
Event data recorders
Electronic control units are installed in
your vehicle. Control units process
data which is received by vehicle
sensors, for example, or which they
generate themselves or exchange
amongst themselves. Some control
units are necessary for the safe
functioning of your vehicle, others
assist you while you drive (driver
assistance systems), while others
provide comfort or infotainment
functions.
The following contains general
information about data processing in
the vehicle. You will find additional
information as to which specific data
is uploaded, stored and passed on to third parties and for what purpose in
your vehicle under the key word Data Protection closely linked to the
references for the affected functional
characteristics in the relevant owner's manual or in the general terms of
sale. These are also available online.Operating data in the vehicle
Control units process data for
operation of the vehicle.
This data includes, e.g.: ● vehicle status information (e.g. speed, movement delay, lateral
acceleration, wheel rotation rate,
"seat belts fastened" display)
● ambient conditions (e.g. temperature, rain sensor,
distance sensor)
As a rule such data is transient, not
stored for longer than an operational
cycle, and only processed on board
the vehicle itself. Control units often
include data storage (including the vehicle key). This is used to allowinformation to be documented
temporarily or permanently on vehicle
condition, component stress,
maintenance requirements and
technical events and errors.Depending on technical equipment
level, the data stored is as follows:
● system component operating states (e.g. fill level, tyre
pressure, battery status)
● faults and defects in important system components (e.g. lights,
brakes)
● system reactions in special driving situations (e.g. triggering
of an airbag, actuation of the
stability control systems)
● information on events damaging the vehicle
● for electric vehicles the amount of
charge in the high-voltage
battery, estimated range
In special cases (e.g. if the vehicle
has detected a malfunction), it may be
necessary to save data that would
otherwise just be volatile.
When you use services (e.g. repairs,
maintenance), the operating data
saved can be read together with the
vehicle identification number and
used when necessary. Staff working
for the service network ( e.g. garages,
manufacturers) or third parties (e.g.
Customer information305breakdown services) can read the
data from the vehicle. The same
applies to warranty work and quality
assurance measures.
Data is generally read via the OBD
(On-Board Diagnostics) port
prescribed by law in the vehicle. The
operating data which is read out,
documents the technical condition of
the vehicle or individual components
and assists with fault diagnosis,
compliance with warranty obligations
and quality improvement. This data,
in particular information on
component stress, technical events,
operator errors and other faults, is
transmitted to the manufacturer
where appropriate, together with the
vehicle identification number. The
manufacturer is also subject to
product liability. The manufacturer
potentially also uses operating data
from vehicles for product recalls. This
data can also be used to check
customer warranty and guarantee
claims.
Fault memories in the vehicle can be
reset by a service company when
carrying out servicing or repairs or at
your request.Comfort and infotainment
functions
Comfort settings and custom settings
can be stored in the vehicle and
changed or reset at any time.
Depending on the equipment level in
question, these include
● seat and steering wheel position settings
● chassis and air conditioning settings
● custom settings such as interior lighting
You can input your own data in the
infotainment functions for your
vehicle as part of the selected
features.
Depending on the equipment level in
question, these include
● multimedia data such as music, videos or photos for playback in
an integrated multimedia system
● address book data for use with an
integrated hands-free system or an integrated navigation system● input destinations
● data on the use of online services
This data for comfort and
infotainment functions can be stored
locally in the vehicle or be kept on a
device that you have connected to the
vehicle ( e.g. a smartphone, USB stick
or MP3 player). Data that you have input yourself can be deleted at any
time.
This data can only be transmitted out
of the vehicle at your request,
particularly when using online
services in accordance with the
settings selected by you.
Smartphone integration, e.g.
Android Auto or Apple CarPlay
If your vehicle is equipped
accordingly, you can connect your
smartphone or another mobile device
to the vehicle so that you can control
it via the controls integrated in the
vehicle. The smartphone image and
sound can be output via the
multimedia system in this case. At the same time, specific information is
transmitted to your smartphone.
Depending on the type of integration,
