can be found in the information directly related to
the functional characteristics in question in their
respective Operator's Manual. This information is
also available online and, depending on thevehi-
cle equipment, digitally.
PPerersonal datasonal data
Every vehicle is identied by a unique vehicle
identication number. Depending on the country,
this vehicle identication number can be used by,
forexample, governmental authorities to deter-
mine the identity of theowner. There are other
possibilities to use data collected from thevehicle
to identify theowner or driver, such as the license
plate number.
Therefore, data generated or processed by control
units may be attributable to a person or, under
certain conditions, become attributable to a per-
son. Depending on which vehicle data are availa-
ble, it may be possible to make inferences about,
forexample, your driving behavior, your location,
your route or your use patterns.
LegLegal ral reqequiruirements rements regegararding tding the disclosurhe disclosure ofe of
datadata
If legally required to do so, manufacturers are, in
individual cases, legally obliged to provide govern-
mental entities, upon request and to theextent
required, data stored by the manufacturer. For
example, this may be the case during the investi-
gation of a criminal oense.
Governmental entities are themselves, in individ-
ual cases and within the applicable legal frame-
work, authorized to read out data from thevehi-
cle. In the case of an accident, information that
can help with an investigation can, therefore, be
taken from the airbag control unit, forexample.
Oper
Operational datational data in ta in the vhe vehicleehicle
This is data regarding the operation of thevehicle,
which have been processed by control units.
This includes thefollowing data, forexample:
RVehicle status information such as the speed,
longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration,
number of wheel revolutions or thefastened
seat belts display
RAmbient conditions, such as temperature, rain
sensor or distance sensor
Generally, the use of these data is temporary;
they will not be stored beyond the period of oper-
ation and will only be processed within thevehicle
itself. Control units oen contain data memories
forvehicle keys,forexample. Their use permits
thetemporary or permanent documentation of
technical information about thevehicle's operat-
ing state, component loads, maintenance require-
ments and technical events or malfunctions.
Depending on thevehicle equipment, thefollow-
ing data are stored:
ROperating status of system components, such
as ll levels, tire pressure or battery status
RMalfunctions or faults in important system
components, such as lights or brakes
RSystem reactions in special driving situations,
such as airbag deployment or the intervention
of stability control systems
RInformation on events leading to vehicle dam-
age
In certain cases, it may be required to store data
that would have otherwise been used only tempo-
rarily. This may be the case if thevehicle has
detected a malfunction, forexample.
3030 General notes