Merc Owner 2B
MB Enthusiast
I realise that over the years there must be different protocols for locking/unlocking cars with their remotes.
A few years ago, whilst in France, someone opened my ML250 (W166) whilst I was in a service station. They stole our mobiles from the centre glove box and relocked the car. When I came back to the UK the dealer was able to tell me (via STAR) that there are only two keys registered to this car and both had been used. So how could someone else have opened it I asked? They couldn't they said and probably believe I left it unlocked, which I KNOW I DIDN'T!
I asked about the old-fashioned way of capturing signals using a laptop etc when someone locks a car and then retransmitting that signal when the person is out of sight. They said it was impossible as every time you lock the car it sends details to the remote of the next signal it needs to unlock (rolling codes).
I've since heard of a few similar issues to newish MBs so today tried a theory. I used my spare key (hasn't been used for about a year). It opened the car on the first press and started it on the first turn. So the rolling code explanation doesn't seem right.
Does anyone have a reasonable explanation of how the system works? I guess the crooks already know so we wouldn't be helping them!
I know of someone who has had his car broke into three times now on his own driveway. If someone were to "capture" your code/frequency will it always be able to open your car?
A few years ago, whilst in France, someone opened my ML250 (W166) whilst I was in a service station. They stole our mobiles from the centre glove box and relocked the car. When I came back to the UK the dealer was able to tell me (via STAR) that there are only two keys registered to this car and both had been used. So how could someone else have opened it I asked? They couldn't they said and probably believe I left it unlocked, which I KNOW I DIDN'T!
I asked about the old-fashioned way of capturing signals using a laptop etc when someone locks a car and then retransmitting that signal when the person is out of sight. They said it was impossible as every time you lock the car it sends details to the remote of the next signal it needs to unlock (rolling codes).
I've since heard of a few similar issues to newish MBs so today tried a theory. I used my spare key (hasn't been used for about a year). It opened the car on the first press and started it on the first turn. So the rolling code explanation doesn't seem right.
Does anyone have a reasonable explanation of how the system works? I guess the crooks already know so we wouldn't be helping them!
I know of someone who has had his car broke into three times now on his own driveway. If someone were to "capture" your code/frequency will it always be able to open your car?