Currently it's a London issue with luxury cars going missing, but maybe worth considering the implications if you're considering ordering a new car as the police believe it will filter down to every day cars at some stage.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29786320

This has just made the headlines, its actually been going on for some years now. Some cars are more vulnerable than others, luckily cars in the VAG stable are reasonably secure and to get access to the OBD port the thieves would need to hold a working key already as without it the ECU and dashpod are powered off.

There is a reason that guys who often know a lot about high tech avoid it.

This has just made the headlines, its actually been going on for some years now. Some cars are more vulnerable than others, luckily cars in the VAG stable are reasonably secure and to get access to the OBD port the thieves would need to hold a working key already as without it the ECU and dashpod are powered off.

I remember seeing this happening with the new Fiesta when the thieves blocked the central locking with a radio transmitter so the owner walked away thinking the car was locked when it wasn't. Tney then just sat in the drivers seat and plugged into the OBD port and off they went. So if that's the same modus operandi tney are using on others looks like it's more widespread than I thought. The journo on the telly drove off in an Audi, though they didn't say if they were getting nicked as well.

Everything's vunerable it seems. Focus RSs are flavour of the moment.

Everything's vunerable it seems. Focus RSs are flavour of the moment.

Golf R's too i heard

No matter what the manufacturers do there will be someone working on how to get around it.

I'm sure I read somewhere the BMW X6 takes a few minutes to break in and drive off?

I'm sure I read somewhere the BMW X6 takes a few minutes to break in and drive off?

Its only defence mechanism is its looks then?

Bloody pig ugly cars IMO. Lol.

I hardly ever lock mine using the key. I press the door handle to lock it, so no RF to block.

The thing that irritates me the most about keyless is its hard to check the doors are locked, as when you touch the handle, they unlock. I would swap mine out for a standard key if it was possible. I didn't spec it and wouldn't have done, it just wasn't a choice on that model.

The thing that irritates me the most about keyless is its hard to check the doors are locked, as when you touch the handle, they unlock. I would swap mine out for a standard key if it was possible. I didn't spec it and wouldn't have done, it just wasn't a choice on that model.

 

The unlock from the handle is disabled for a few seconds after you lock it, so you can check. It's done exactly for this purpose.

 

Or you could just try the back door?

Don't know if that applies to my system (Subaru use one made by Toyota) but I will try it. I have it set to only unlock the drivers door by default, but yeah, the rear doors will work if I'm out with the family.

My father in law had his BMW my stolen in 94 seconds the thieves smashed the windows and used a device plugged into the ecu and programmed a blank key in and off they went luckily he got it back police said 6 bmws were stolen that night in the same area of Birmingham

I hardly ever lock mine using the key. I press the door handle to lock it, so no RF to block.

 

When you press the lock button on the handle the car looks for the key using RF and if present will lock the car. Try it with the key some distance away and the car will not lock.

My father in law had his BMW my stolen in 94 seconds the thieves smashed the windows and used a device plugged into the ecu and programmed a blank key in and off they went luckily he got it back police said 6 bmws were stolen that night in the same area of Birmingham

Ever seen the film 'gone in 60 seconds'?

Well, nearly! Haha

Anti-jamming tech required. Please consult UK military !

 

 

Nick

& People leave their cars to be valeted, 

put them into dealerships where the employees might be as honest as the day is long, but their mates 

or drugs supplier is not.

Then there are those that have Trades People working around their house or property while cars sit on the Drive or Garage etc.

 

Gone In 60 Seconds is happening all around the UK not only because of anything more fancy than the usual dishonesty 

& many involved in car thefts are connected to the Car Trade & Motor Vehicle Industry,

& that is not only Scrappies & Breakers.

 

Proper Land Rover vehicles, ie Defender type & pre central locking are still up there as the most easily & often stolen vehicles.

 

Maybe Prestige Vehicle Owners need to use proper theft deterrants like Visable Steering Wheel Locks,

or Pedal Locks,

they help some, at least where your vehicle is not being uplifted onto a low loader.

We have KESSY on the Yeti & i wanted the beep deactivating when you swipe handle to lock, & grab to unlock, but had 2nd thoughts when SWMBO pointed out that is is useful to have both audible (beep) as well as visual (indicators) confirmation that the doors have locked & unlocked.

Also get quite a loud 'thunk' as the locks work.

Even after all that we can try back door to be 100% happy.

Ever seen the film 'gone in 60 seconds'?

Well, nearly! Haha

 

fit a good old fashioned steering wheel lock

fit a good old fashioned steering wheel lock

If you mean the stop lock type things that you attach to your steering wheel save your money as the thief will simply hacksaw through the steering wheel rim and pull it off, though that would take them another 5 seconds.

I keep my keys in my pocket though that's more to prevent SWMBO getting tempted than to stop the thieves! I just find the whole thing a little ironic that having got to the stage where cars needed the keys to start them manufacturers have now come up with this to increase their sales.......or am I being too synical?

The thing that irritates me the most about keyless is its hard to check the doors are locked, as when you touch the handle, they unlock. I would swap mine out for a standard key if it was possible. I didn't spec it and wouldn't have done, it just wasn't a choice on that model.

I usually take a quick glance at the immobiliser light on the top of the drivers to confirm its locked.  Unless it is a really bright day it is visible enough for me to see and this time of the year its easy to see it.  I agree with you about the keyless system though, I wouldn't have specified it

I agree with you about the keyless system though, I wouldn't have specified it

 

Keyless = good

Stealing = bad

I have to admit, I like my keyless system. I keep getting into the Citigo and forgetting that I need to take the keys out of my pocket!