more. the cost to repair a car is more expensive than ever. some are blaming car companies for keeping their computer information secret. cars today are basically now computers on wheels and if you can t access those computers, you can t fix the car. that s right. vehicles today provide all kinds of data and americans need access to that data. ted has been repairing cars for 30 years. currently in portland, maine. recently he says car manufacturers are squeezing out independent auto shops like his by limiting computer diagnostic information. vehicles today hundreds of sensors in them and these sensors control the vehicle and we have to have access to these sensors and the data they produce in order to diagnose and repair vehicles. he says carmakers are also putting unfair patents on parts like bumpers and side mirrors.