Chicago Tribune auto letters column.

By Jim Mateja, Chicago Tribune Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Aug. 22--NO TATTLE BOX FOR TEEN'S CAR:

QUESTION: I'd like more information on the black box in today's cars that keeps track of how the vehicle has been driven and the speed it has been driven. Does the box keep track of sudden stops, too? Please provide me with more information and where I can get a black box. I have a teenage son, and a black box would help me out. -- K.H., Oswego.

ANSWER: So you want to know how your son is driving by reading the tattletale information supplied by the electronic gizmo.

Sorry, but you'll have to stow away in the back seat or follow him in the family sedan if you want to learn how well or how poorly he drives.

A variety of automakers have …