How To Prevent Keyless Car Theft
Technology often brings us greater convenience, and this is especially true when it comes to the auto industry. With modern manufacturers always seeking more ways to make our lives easier and more comfortable, it’s great news for anyone who likes those little luxuries in life.
However, as we all adapt to new technology, so do thieves.
Keyless entry for cars is one technological advancement that we’ve seen over the last decade, with the feature now more common than ever. With the removal of any need for a physical key to put in a lock, thieves have had to get creative in order to continue stealing cars.
This month at Lock & Key Centre, we’re going to break down what keyless car theft is, how it works and how you can look to protect yourself against this newly emerging crime.
What is keyless car theft?
Keyless car theft is the process thieves use to steal your car without ever getting their hands on your keys.
Because this is a new, modern feature, it’s not something everyone is aware of. By eliminating the need for you to dig around in your bag to find your key, or juggle with the shopping while you try to reach your pocket, car manufacturers have theoretically made things easier.
You still carry a fob, but the car unlocks as you approach. This process uses radio waves and it’s this feature that thieves are now using to steal cars in an almost seamless fashion.
You leave your car, thinking it is securely locked behind you, but when you return later, the car is gone without the need for any keys to be stolen. Read on to find out exactly how keyless car theft works.
How does keyless car theft work?
Keyless car theft is sometimes referred to as ‘relay theft’, which should start to give you an idea of how it works. Here is a rough overview of how thieves operate this crime:
- Thieves purchase high-tech equipment, usually a relay amplifier and relay transmitter.
- With this equipment, they detect which cars use keyless technology.
- Two people are required at this point, with one thief positioned by the car with a transmitter, while the other sneaks around the outside of the property with the amplifier to try and capture the signal of your car fob.
- If they can pick up the signal of the key, it can be boosted out to the transmitter.
- This fools the car into thinking the fob is close, allowing the thieves to access and start the car.
- The vehicle is then driven away without any trace of what has taken place.
How to stop keyless car theft
What you’ve read so far might be cause for alarm if you have a car with keyless access, but to help allay these fears, we’ve got some tips for how you can better protect your vehicle from this type of crime.
- Keep your keys out of sight. While thieves don’t need to be able to see your keys to intercept the signal, it can certainly make things more difficult if they have to move around the perimeter of your property to pick it up. You should never leave them near windows or doors, and certainly not within range of your car.
- Keep your keys in a signal-blocking pouch. You can get pouches, sometimes called Faraday Bags, which help to block the signal your keys use, so that when you leave your keys at home the signal cannot be easily picked up. The chief of the AA recently revealed that even he keeps his keys inside his microwave to protect them!
- Use a steering wheel lock. A classic, simple piece of equipment, steering wheel locks can ensure that, even if thieves can intercept the signal and start a car, it would be impossible to drive away.
- Keep your car in the garage. If you have the option, it’s always a good idea to park your car in the garage overnight. Not only does this keep your vehicle out of sight in the first place, but it also makes it harder to gain access to your vehicle without making a lot of noise if thieves do target you.
It should be noted that not all of these methods will work for every make and model, so it’s best to contact your local dealership if you’re concerned and would like more advice on protecting your car from keyless theft.
Keyless car theft FAQs
How long does keyless car theft take?
Keyless car theft can be carried out in less than a minute, taking anywhere between 20 to 60 seconds depending on how long it takes for thieves to pick up your key signal. Once they have the signal, they can silently access the car and drive away without any trace.
How do I know if I have keyless car entry?
If your car key fob has a button, it’s unlikely to be using keyless technology. Keyless entry works simply by having the fob in close proximity.
Are all keyless cars vulnerable to theft?
It’s hard to say which cars are and aren’t vulnerable, since manufacturers are trying to combat this crime with different frequency technology. We would advise you to use the techniques provided above to help mitigate any risk.
Is keyless car entry worth it?
The answer to this all comes down to how convenient keyless technology would be to you. You can mitigate the risk using our previous tips, especially if you’re able to keep your fob in a pouch and your car in the garage overnight. Many new cars feature this technology, so at some point, it may become hard to avoid.
Car key reprogramming at Lock & Key Centre
As experts in auto locksmith services, at Lock & Key Centre we can read and reset the locks on your vehicle. We’re members of the Auto Locksmith Association, so you can count on us for professional and reliable services when it comes to your car keys. You can find out more about our car key reprogramming and repairs on our dedicated page.
We serve customers throughout Aylesbury, Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire, with over 40 years of experience. Call us today for help with any car key or car fob issue you’re experiencing.