Keyless Entry Theft

[AMGeed]

Seems to be 6 options so far I can see to reduce but not eliminate theft of cars already with keyless go

1. switch off key with double press of lock button

2. put keys in portable shielded faraday cage box/bag

3. use additional mechanical lock (steering, wheel clamp)

4. remove and pocket a critical fuse from the fuse box

5. leave windows open with fake stuffed wallet and open box of glittering jewellery on seat so it looks like a sting operation (risky!)

6. ask dealer to disable keyless go function in car


I use method 1, and took out gap insurance (first time ever) specifically for the keyless go risk.

Method 1 doesn't work on older KG systems fitted to cars like mine
So option 2 is the answer + Autowatch Ghost preventing the car being started with or without keys.

 

[ktsennaf1]

Here is the press release from manufacturer.....deactivation is only available on latest cars. Mine was a 65 plate and it didn't have this feature.

If you aren't made aware of the risks how are you supposed to mitigate them. After the event it's obvious that keys need to be protected. it would have been nice to have this information beforehand

All Mercedes-Benz Cars have extensive security and anti-theft protection systems in place. Data security, data protection and anti-theft protection are important elements in our research and development activities. The development of protection and safety mechanisms is continued over the entire life cycle of our cars. When enhancing our protective mechanisms, I can assure you that we take into account the latest knowledge about criminal methods and attacks on security systems. To offer further assurances, all our cars undergo strict development and investigation to ensure they meet the relevant insurance requirements and EU Regulations. Preventative actions are now available, For example, on our latest cars we now offer our customers the option of deactivating the radio signal with two clicks of the key in order to prevent abuse.

 

[ktsennaf1]

A product recall to enhance older cars would have been a nice gesture as well. Lots of manufacturers do product recalls and this wouldn't have been seen as a negative move.

 

[219]

As discussed on the other stolen car thread , tracking the car via Mercedes Me , and introducing remote disabling of the car ( via MM and done by an operator at Mercedes ) allowing the thieves to get far enough away that they won't return , and then cutting the engine , with the tracking reporting the car's position so that it can be communicated to police , are all technically possible .

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Here is the press release from manufacturer.....deactivation is only available on latest cars. Mine was a 65 plate and it didn't have this feature.

If you aren't made aware of the risks how are you supposed to mitigate them. After the event it's obvious that keys need to be protected. it would have been nice to have this information beforehand

All Mercedes-Benz Cars have extensive security and anti-theft protection systems in place. Data security, data protection and anti-theft protection are important elements in our research and development activities. The development of protection and safety mechanisms is continued over the entire life cycle of our cars. When enhancing our protective mechanisms, I can assure you that we take into account the latest knowledge about criminal methods and attacks on security systems. To offer further assurances, all our cars undergo strict development and investigation to ensure they meet the relevant insurance requirements and EU Regulations. Preventative actions are now available, For example, on our latest cars we now offer our customers the option of deactivating the radio signal with two clicks of the key in order to prevent abuse.

I totally understand your frustration. However, I feel that you're p**sing in the wind and wasting your time. As others have said, move on and enjoy your next car. Sometimes life's just too short.

 

[ktsennaf1]

Problem is that Mercedes Me relies on the car's GPS being left on. Thieves can easily switch this off if they go through the menus so no information can be sent or received.

Tracking functionality needs to be completely isolated from other part of the car so its pretty much impossible to deactivate.

 

[ktsennaf1]

Surely as law abiding citizens it is our duty to lobby and campaign to make cars with this technology harder to steel. I don't want others to go through my experience and I want to try and make a difference.

I believe the government is going to introduce legislation to force manufacturers to make enhances to the security of vehicles with "on-line" functions and "keyless" operations.

 

[uumode]

I can sympathise with ktsennaf1, I'd be ****** if my car was stolen and was £12k down, so would be exploring avenues as well. Nothing ventured nothing gained, expect to expend lots of effort and time though, and be prepared that probability of a positive response is very low.

BTW my car is 65 plate and does have double click on fob to deactivate. I 'think' it's a feature of the fob and not the car. It's simply a battery saving feature for the fob. So there might be a chance people can order a new set of keys?

 

[Delayed Steve]

Method 1 doesn't work on older KG systems fitted to cars like mine
So option 2 is the answer + Autowatch Ghost preventing the car being started with or without keys.

I use option one on my car but in light of recent events posted on here I'm seriously thinking of leaving it turned on so if they're going to steal my car they just take it off the drive and me and my family don't have to go through what Developer went through.
As for the Auto watch Ghost do you really think it would have helped things after throwing the keys outside the thief's discover that the cars disabled ?
Do you think they would just walk away or come back and start on the door with the crowbar again?
It's not worth the risk, let them have it and let the police and insurance companies sort it out.
It's metal and rubber you can get another!
The same can't be said for you family...

 

[190]

How about parking it in the garage with the key left in. That way it's safe from the casual car thief but if a professional gang decide they really want it they don't have to come in the house.

 

[219]

It is not too difficult to steal a car with keyless go.

The thieves insert an antenna into the house through the letter box, or place it against the wall of the house. This repeats the near field RFID signal emitted by the key and enables the thief to both open the car and start it.

The car is then drives away to a warehouse and stripped. Most of these cars are fully stripped within 24 hours.

As I have said in a previous post the way to disable keyless go is to press the lock button twice in quick succession when locking the car. This is confirmed by a prolonged red led on the key.

You can also easily pull off the start button and use the key to start the car. This makes it a tiny bit safer.

See my original post on keyless go here.

Is keyless go less secure?

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sh...k/forums/showthread.php?t=226215&share_type=t

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Just a thought !

If you pull off the start button and take it out of the car , can the car still be started by someone who has hijacked the RF signal to gain access without the key ?

If that works , the sort of people who would steal your car by stealth are probably not the sort who would smash your door in and confront you ; they would probably give up and look for another car .

 

[219]

Problem is that Mercedes Me relies on the car's GPS being left on. Thieves can easily switch this off if they go through the menus so no information can be sent or received.

Tracking functionality needs to be completely isolated from other part of the car so its pretty much impossible to deactivate.

That is just software and that command or menu option could be password protected so it wouldn't be easily done without the password .

 

[GeeJayW]

The push buttons are readily available on eBay etc..

I think the main advantage of taking the button out, is that the car isn't then advertising that it's Keyless Go.

Won't stop the strongarm twins attempting to break into your house if they are really keen to get the car.

 

[grimree]

How about parking it in the garage with the key left in. That way it's safe from the casual car thief but if a professional gang decide they really want it they don't have to come in the house.

Amazing the number of people who park their cars in the garage, and then LOCK them - do they really think that anyone who goes to the trouble of breaking into a garage will stop at breaking into the car?

 

[400ixl]

Mainly because your insurer can reject a claim if you do not take all practical measures to stop attempts to steal from or of the vehicle.

 

[rf065]

Amazing the number of people who park their cars in the garage, and then LOCK them - do they really think that anyone who goes to the trouble of breaking into a garage will stop at breaking into the car?

Most of the garage locks I've ever had could be opened by a 5 year old, doubt they could have got into any of the cars though. Breaking into most garages with anything that slightly resembles a key is no trouble at all.

Russ

 

[190]

My electric garage door forces the door shut and engages a latch either side. The handle on the outside with or without a key can't be used to open the door. If I go away on holiday leaving one of the vehicles I turn the power off to the door motor. I realise nothing is impregnable but I don't know how they'd get in without using some serious force.

 

[grimree]

Amazing the number of people who park their cars in the garage, and then LOCK them - do they really think that anyone who goes to the trouble of breaking into a garage will stop at breaking into the car?

Most of the garage locks I've ever had could be opened by a 5 year old, doubt they could have got into any of the cars though. Breaking into most garages with anything that slightly resembles a key is no trouble at all.

Russ

My electric garage door forces the door shut and engages a latch either side. The handle on the outside with or without a key can't be used to open the door. If I go away on holiday leaving one of the vehicles I turn the power off to the door motor. I realise nothing is impregnable but I don't know how they'd get in without using some serious force.

My point exactly - why have your car damaged unnecessarily, if they're going to break into the garage you may as well let them into the car without causing any harm

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Our car and van are parked in our (attached)garage every night. Both have the keys in the ignition and doors unlocked whilst in the garage.

The garage door is a sectional door without any lock whatsoever. The motor power is on a timer so between 11pm and 7am the motor is inoperable.

However, the point made by Stu regarding insurance alarms me a little.

 

[190]

The motor power is on a timer so between 11pm and 7am the motor is inoperable.

Now that's a good idea.