How to fight back against paywalled car features
Notes de l’épisode
Got any questions? Ask away! [email protected]
Check out John's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AutoExpertJCCheck out Adam's channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ReDriven
Adam Morris and John Cadogan take aim at the everyday habits that can quietly cost car owners thousands.
From misunderstanding service intervals and abusing dual-clutch transmissions, to mismatched tyres destroying an AWD system, riding the clutch, ignoring new noises and cheaping out on filters, they run through the mistakes that can turn small savings into expensive repairs. Plus, why buying a car around the two or three trips you make each year might be the wrong approach.
Then it's this week's listener question which comes from Grant, who asks: "with so many people complaining about how complicated modern cars are and how much technology they contain, what could be removed from a car without hurting its marketability?"
Finally, Adam tackles one of the industry’s most frustrating trends: paying extra to unlock equipment that’s already physically fitted to your car. A new Mercedes-AMG EV sparks the debate, alongside BMW’s previous heated-seat subscriptions and Tesla’s software-limited performance and range.
If you’ve already paid for the hardware, should a car company really be able to charge you again just to use it?
Join auto industry insiders John Cadogan (Auto Expert) and Adam Morris (ReDriven) as they cut through the BS on new cars, used cars, dealer tactics, EV trends, and everything the motoring industry doesn't want you to know. New episodes weekly — subscribe now.
In this ep:
00:00 The Flying Tesla That Charges You to Land
00:13 Welcome to Auto Uncovered
01:06 Adam Has Bought a New Car
03:25 The Car Owner Mistakes That Cost You Money
04:15 Know When to Abandon Your Car-Buying Plan
06:41 Do You Really Need AWD?
08:08 The Service Schedule Mistake That Can Void Your Warranty
08:48 The Tyre Mistake That Can Destroy an AWD System
10:17 How You’re Killing Your Dual-Clutch Transmission
10:58 Stop Riding the Clutch
12:06 Why You Shouldn’t Turn the Wheel While Stationary
13:03 Never Ignore a New Noise From Your Car
14:05 Basic Checks Every Car Owner Should Know
15:02 Why Cheap Filters Are a False Economy
16:46 When Did You Last Change Your Cabin Filter?
18:01 Can You Trust Your Dealer to Actually Service Your Car?
18:24 Why Pop and Crackle Tunes Can Be Bad News
20:17 Why Your Hands Should Be at 9 and 3
24:04 Listener Questions
24:16 Do Modern Cars Have Too Much Technology?
26:15 Could a Simple, Low-Tech Car Actually Sell?
27:27 The Car Tech We’d Get Rid Of
30:03 The Pointless Features Cars Don’t Need
31:38 You’re Probably Adjusting Your Mirrors Wrong
32:22 Why Car Subscription Features Need to Stop
32:56 Mercedes-AMG’s Paywalled V8 Sound
34:15 BMW, Tesla and Features Locked by Software
35:00 The Flying Tesla Subscription Problem
35:12 Why Car Buyers Need to Say No
38:08 If You Buy the Car, Shouldn’t You Own All of It?
39:15 The Biggest AMG Subscription: Depreciation
40:23 Wrap-Up