[mr0077]

I'll try to get some more information from our VAR (vehicle accident reconstruction) section, but a seminar I attended discussed the information that can be downloaded from the "cpu" (the computer control) in almost all newer cars and trucks...particularly the over-the-road models (Ford, Cat. etc.); minimal information recording started in 1996 I think. That info is used for all sorts of things (good and bad), like troubleshooting engine problems, monitoring a driver's speed, how long he stops, throttle position, RPM, gear selection, actual gear engaged, brake application, acceleration and deceleration rates up to and during a collision, etc. We download and use that information from vehicles that were in accidents to reconstruct the accident.
As I understand, it is embedded in the CPU, and can't be easily bypassed. The trend is toward gathering even more information, since the government would like to know more about YOU (of course), owners and operators (trucking lines) can identify abuses, etc., and the manufacturers are realizing this could be a "cool tool" to find out what you were doing just before your motor blew up in that warranty claim you're filing, troubleshoot (OBD II already useful for that) and as evidence in civil and criminal cases.
I'll see what I can find.