Keyless cars

[Iancider]

Saw Watchdog yesterday 

They repeated their warning about key-less cars being stolen by crimmys using the code crackers that the garages use when you lock yourself out.  The problem is so bad in London that insurers are refusing cover for them - half of all thefts!  So give a wide birth to key-less systems they are not safe.  Or to put it another way -

A KEY-LESS CAR MAY QUICKLY BECOME A KEY, LESS CAR!

[longtimecoming]

Or even a Carless Key. The problem with electronic technology is someone will always find a way around it.
I did think it odd that all the cars that were shown on Watchdog, were already unlocked before the code breaking machine could be used, If you can't gain access to the Engine management unit, until you unlock the door how do you unlock the door without the alarm going off ?
In the Olden days the window was smashed and in they went, but not now.

[damouk]

This is a bit of a coincidental thread as I have been looking at going keyless and have a few bits on order to play with.

I don't think its any worse that back in the day, most car keys could be used to open many cars in a car park, so if you were into stealing cars it was then simply a matter of ripping the column cover off and joining the wires together.

We think electronic mechanisms are unbreakable... someone created it so someone can break it.

['The Gaffer']

Good old battery isolator key switch with a small cable left to keep the electronics alive is all that's needed. Far to primitive though, and those big red keys are not very trendy are they

[Hairy Santa]

Best anti theft I have used is 1 or more hidden switches controlling the fuel pump, works every time

[Iancider]

The best anti-theft device I ever saw was in a Ford Anglia!

No sorry I meant the most un-nickable car was a Ford Anglia - even with the doors unlocked and the keys in the ignition, nobody could take it!

Also pretty secure is a Pink KA

And of course the "Skoda in a skip" - a desperate measure to cut down on skip theft. 

[benchmark51]

Well, hush your mouth! One of the best cars ever was the angle box. 5.5J's, matt black bonnet, 2inch sidepipes, pre xflo 1500 or 1650. Even Jim Clark had one!   

[Krazyken]

Back in the day when I was a dashing 18 year old (some 32 years ago now) I owned a Triumph Vitesse MkII Converible in Bright Red.  As anyone could open the bonnet by flicking up the 2 side levers or get into the car by putting their hand inside between the flimsy plastic roof and the door, I found that taking the rotor arm out of the distributor always ensured the car was still there when I got back.

Ah the good old days!!!

[Hairy Santa]

Back in the day when I was a dashing 18 year old (some 32 years ago now) I owned a Triumph Vitesse MkII Converible in Bright Red.  As anyone could open the bonnet by flicking up the 2 side levers or get into the car by putting their hand inside between the flimsy plastic roof and the door, I found that taking the rotor arm out of the distributor always ensured the car was still there when I got back.

Ah the good old days!!!

32 Years ago best laugh iv'e had all week

[robp]

Well, hush your mouth! One of the best cars ever was the angle box. 5.5J's, matt black bonnet, 2inch sidepipes, pre xflo 1500 or 1650. Even Jim Clark had one!   

This is my first memory of a Ford Anglia...

[Iancider]

I just reminded myself of a couple of car protection devices.

Once when in the US on business I cam across a company that made the most aggressive anti-theft device I have ever seen.  If any body forced entry to a car it was normally followed by attempted hot-wiring but before they could do that an announcement was made on the radio speakers.  "This automobile is fitted with a self protection device - leave the vehicle immediately.  [pause] you have been warned [beep beep beep] the device is armed and counting 3, 2, 1 BANG!"  At that moment an explosive charge goes off under the dash panel and fires Fleshettes into the calves and thighs.  They are razor sharp little arrows that penetrate skin and have to prised out very painfully.  But that was not all.  Each one had a wire attached to it and the speakers kept talking, warning of the electric shocks about to be delivered. So then the crook would have a few seconds to consider taking the shock or ripping out the fleshettes from their skin.  After the first shock they were convinced about that.  Needless to say it was Texas.  Oh yes and you could customize the message to your car thief.

Almost as aggressive was one that went big in South Africa where there was a big problem with car-jacking and thefts at traffic lights.  As soon as the attacker approached the car he was met by a bank of flamethrowers from under the cills.  They did not stay long!