Modern Car Theft

[Subterfuge]

I'm guessing the box or pouch for the key fob wouldn't do me any good since my truck still requires an actual key to start it? The fob would only unlock it.

I think the keys are the good ones, it's the push button start fobs are the ones that you have to sheild from radio waves in the Faraday lead lined box .. something along those lines

 

[Roxy13]

I think the keys are the good ones, it's the push button start fobs are the ones that you have to sheild from radio waves in the Faraday lead lined box .. something along those lines

That seems to be the case. And my fob isn't keyless entry either apparently since I have to push a button to lock or unlock it. To me that seems "keyless" lol, but apparently keyless really means the car unlocks by itself when the fob is close enough.

 

[six-string]

Well actually ANY newer car that uses a computer based lock and ignition system can be hacked and stolen. As I said, the current tread is for new and late model cars. No self-respecting thief who wants to sell is going after some old car or truck (unless its some vintage collectible).
The other thing as I have read, is that now thieves don't need to clone or read your key fob to hack the car. Thanks to most new cars having blu-tooth tech and the car being in 'stand-by' mode all the time even when parked and locked, thieves can simply direct access the car's computer and hack that. No key fob required.

Yes you can buy steering wheel club/bars, ignition disconnects etc. Although if you alter the stock equipment you might void your warranty on a new car? So there is that to consider.
Of course the obvious question is...why aren't the manufacturers building more robust security systems into the cars in the first place?

oh and 'locked in the garage'? If you have an auto-door opener on your garage (which many do) a thief simply slips a wire coathanger through the top rubber gasket on the door and can reach inside and pull the red 'safety rope' down and presto!- the door opener is disconnected and the door can be manually opened. Takes about 30 seconds or less.

 

[six-string]

Or…. Why not stop putting stupid shit that nobody needs in cars?

Well that would be great...but we are too far down the pipe now. I said the same thing when they put DVD players and tire pressure sensors and other crap into cars.
Years ago I said, why put computers into cars? Around here my car goes from -40C in the dead of winter to +40C in the heat of July. would you stick your laptop or cell phone into those conditions and expect it to work perfectly? Probably not. But we have no choice, the technology is here. Now we are headed for self-driving electric cars. maybe someone will steal that?

 

[SteveC]

When I compare my new car today, to the first "new car" we bought.. a 1979 Honda Accord Hatchback, I realize that there is NFW that I would to go back to that primitive vehicle.

Steal my car. I DAGAFF. I'll just have my insurance company get me a new one.

 

[THDNUT]

Uhmm, where exactly do you live Steve?

 

[Roxy13]

They are actually stealing old cars and trucks. Just not for shipment to other countries, but instead due to the discontinuation of parts. Remember that is why I bought another truck is because I couldn't get the parts to repair my old one.

Check out what the most frequently stolen years and models are.

For Dodge Rams its 2001 and 2004!

https://www.thezebra.com/resources/driving/most-stolen-cars/#most-stolen-cars-from-2010-2020

 

[mgenet]

My brother was on a combined law enforcement team in Calif.
partially funded by insurance companies. HIs favorite way of
taking down car thieves was at the mall during Xmas.

He said it was like a giant parking lot of cars screaming, steal me.
Reason the police team liked the malls is because they could trap the
thief, once spotted from the roof, by two vehicles, one at
each end of the parking lane. They were no allowed to
pursue.

It was an undercover job and he got to drive a soft top Mustang.

 

['Hege]

Back in the 80's, I used to carry my motocross bikes, and a full tool chest setup in my Ford econoline van. It had some serious mileage and at one point the column shifter linkage broke down below the floor. I took a piece of welding rod and drilled a hole in the floor and attached the rod to the shift pawl on the tranny so I could select PRND21 by shoving the wire down or pulling it up. The wire located right down at the base of the drivers seat, sticking up out of the floor about 3 inches with a 90 deg bend to pull on.
One random night I woke up at 3 am to the sound of my van starting up. I look out the window, under the streetlamp, and see two guys in my van, the passenger gesticulating wildly (c'mon c'mon!) as the guy in the drivers seat is gunning the motor to leave, frantically rowing back and forth on the (broken) Shift lever. In about 3 seconds I burst out the front door as these guys jump out and start running like hell. I chased them up the block until they ditched over a wall into a neighboring tract.

I'm laughing today still thinking about my goof proof "Wire Feed Select-a-Matic Transmission" lever.

Kept it that way for another two years and sold it as a "feature" to the new owner lol