Overheard a mechanic at a gas station in Boise talking about EMP attacks on modern cars

He said most newer vehicles have computer chips so sensitive that a strong enough microwave blast could brick them permanently, and now I'm wondering how many of us are really prepared for that kind of thing. Has anyone else run into info about shielding your car's electronics from something like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

logan_mitchell15d ago

My buddy Dave from work has a 2019 Toyota Camry and his neighbor accidentally zapped it with some kind of portable microwave jammer he was testing. Dave was parked in his driveway and the neighbor was just messing around, didn't think it would actually do anything. The car completely died right there, wouldn't start at all and the dash looked like a dead TV screen. He had to get it towed to a dealership and they said the main ECU and a few other modules were fried, cost him like $4,000 to fix. Now he keeps a set of basic tools and a backup jumper battery in his trunk just in case something weird happens again. It's not a full prep plan but for a daily driver it's something at least.

lily5715d ago

Wait, is this actually a real thing people should be worried about? I've heard about EMPs taking out electronics but never thought about cars specifically, that's kind of scary honestly.

thomas_sanchez15d ago

EMP taking out cars" is a real concern, especially with modern vehicles packed with computer chips. Older cars with basic engines might be fine, but anything with electronic ignition or a digital dashboard is vulnerable. You ever look into how shielded some garages claim to be?