To what extent could companies wreck my freedom in cars even more? I have heard of heated seats being pay walled, despite the technology to heat the seat being installed in the factory... Computer controlled locking systems where if my key fob breaks I can't get into my car, or worse, the electronic control system fails and I'm up shit creek without a paddle.

As to education, how can I even learn to repair something like that? My ignorance makes me think soldering may be useful, but how can an individual have greater control on the freedom to repair and own their automobile. The generality of my question lays in my ignorance to the inner workings of most cars.