Speed Limiters

"You can have a computer, or a handheld device (Palm Pilot), in your possession, inside the truck. I have one, and MTO has seen it. in their words, as soon as you cross the border to USA, you can unlock your truck. When you cross back, lock it. Changing speed limit is not tampering."

Yes you are correct, I am saying if they see the device hooked into the data link at that time they can potentially call it a tampering device. Basically the officer is saying what you do outside of Ontario is your business! In Ontario is a different story! Please don't argue with me, I am trying to help and comments like yours may be misinterpreted by someone thinking it is ok to have their computer device hooked up. Laptops and other electronic devices are part of trucking now, they know that. Just having a computer in your truck won't get you in trouble. Having it hooked into the data link with some kind of parameter changing program running IS TAMPERING! They are looking for that. We all know there can be some pretty hard to deal with officers out there that may not be lenient. So I am saying DON'T have it hooked into the data link, that's all! They don't have the right to search your laptop for programs either! It is best just to avoid problems and keep that stuff out of sight. I do understand your point about having to explain the higher average speed of 65. They will understand better, too, as time goes on drivers like youself will have the means to change the speed outside of Ontario.

 

Sorry, I missed a part where you said HOOKED UP to ECM.
No arguments from me.
Cheers

 

Actually this law went into effect in Ontario and Quebec on January 1st, but Ontario's "soft enforcement" period ends on July 1st. Quebec apparently isn't bothering with it even though it is law there too. An Ontario DOT officer told me that unless you get caught speeding, they have no reason to plug you in. Of course, that might be just how HE does it.

I met an O/O last week whose truck is wide open. He has a form with him from Caterpillar that basically says if anyone other than a certified Cat tech plugs into this truck, it voids the warranty, and if they sign the form, they take all responsibility for anything that might go wrong with the truck in the future. They tried to plug him in, he said "Sure, just sign this." The officer read the form and just sent him on his way. I have heard that Cummins and Detroit will also give you a form like this on request.

 

From what they told me, checking speed limit will be a part of any Level 1 inspection. Speeding or not....Also, if they get you doing 115Kmh or more, police officer can give you a ticket for "No speed limiter", without actually checking and plugging in to ECM. OPP will NOT check the limit.

On the second part, about voiding the warranty....not true. New trucks have passwords on ECM's, and no one but dealer can change anything.
MTO has, for lack of better word "readers", which means that they can only check the parameters relevant to speed.

They can only see:
*Speed limit on throttle*
*Speed limit on cruise control*
*Axle ratio entered in ECM*
*Tire size entered in ECM*

They can't change anything. Doesn't void the warranty. Your ECM is password protected.

So, like I said before, they compare axle ratio in ECM to your sticker, and tire size in ECM to the tires on the truck, and they better match.
Fine for not having speed limit set is $250, and they let you go...
Fine for tampering is $500 and up, and they put you out of service until fixed...
If you were in accident, and they inspect the truck and find evidence of tampering, fine can go up to $5000, regardless of speed being a factor...


Welcome to Ontario

 

The Bully Dog Big Rig downloader does offer speed limiter adjustments. You can change both your top speed limiter and also set a high cruise control limit and low cruise control limit. It will also let you set back these limits to what originally was on the ECM.

 

what about mechanical motors? can I just not go there or am I exempt?

I have yet to get a clear answer

 

There is an exemption . I think vehicles made before '95 don't need speed limiters . Yup , 1995

http://www.ontruck.org/news/news/2008/pnews_2008_06_18_130808_r.php3

 

OK, here is the update on speed limit law in Ontario...

They WILL be looking at

ECM set speed limit at throttle
ECM axle ratio
ECM tire size

and they WILL be comparing it to your VIN sticker

ECM speed limit at cruise will be looked at, but ticket for it will be at MTO officer's discretion, and, more then likely not given if you are based outside of Ontario.

If you really piss them off, they will pull out your speedo head, and check the switches at the back for "tampering"...

OPP and local police departments WILL NOT carry ECM readers, and WILL NOT check your speed limit at ECM. If you are driving more than 115 Km H, LEO's are allowed to give you a ticket for "No speed limiter installed", which means that they will assume that you don't have limiter, and will write you a ticket, based on assumption. Welcome to Ontario...

Checking speed limit WILL BE a part of any Level 1 done at any MTO scale in Ontario.

MTO officer "greeting" you at a supercoop at Windsor will have a "ECM Reader" at the arms reach at any time....which means, they can just tell you to open the door, and plug into your ECM at the time they stop you when you enter a scale.

This comes right from the bears mouth, this morning, June 28th, 2009, at around 9:00 AM, Windsor, ON supercoop...They stop me EVERY TIME I cross that scale, since I challenged their authority as mechanics and inspectors a while ago....Pretty much on the first name basis with them....

Again....

Welcome to Ontario...

 

Some ECMs, such as mine ('03 379 '02 Cat 6NZ), are equipped with a "drivers rewards" setting. If it's turned on and the parameters are set so that you can't break the settings you'll get 15 mph over the pedal and cruise speed.


My cruise and pedal are set at 65 but it will still run out at 80 mph.