Losing your precious vehicle to thieves is a troubling and unpleasant experience. Some may say that ‘it’s just a car’, but it is also a personal item that you have worked hard for. You may have also kept valuables hidden from view. Vehicle security has moved progressed a lot… but then again so has car theft technology. This is especially true for vehicles that no longer have a conventional key.
Keyless entry is an increasingly popular option on many modern cars and is these days expected on prestige vehicles like Range Rovers or BMW models. This is a great innovation but what can be done about keyless entry protection? Read on for more about how to protect keyless entry cars.
What Is Vehicle Keyless Entry?
Automotive technology has moved on and a recent development is keyless car entry. Old-school physical keys are a thing of the past for many vehicles. Drivers still have a key or fob which can remain about their person without being located. No more struggling in the rain to pat down pockets looking for the keyring. It’s the perfect solution: Or is it?
Sensors built into the vehicle detect the nearby fob, recognise a unique code, unlock the doors and allow instant entry. Some vehicles only require a push-button start thereafter (referred to as keyless go). It also works in reverse – Park and walk away and the sensors know the fob is leaving the vicinity. The car will automatically self lock at this point. Brilliant! The only problem we have, is that car thieves have gotten wise to this high-tech equipment and have ways and means to overcome electronic car security.
How To Protect Keyless Entry Cars: The Methods Of Theft
No matter how fast that car technology moves forward, it seems that car thieves are able to keep step. As a sensible owner, when you make such a big investment in the vehicle, you should take extra precautions to combat would-be criminals. It is worth considering more than one level of keyless car key protection too. So what do you need need to look out for and what are the best ways to protect a keyless car?
The Walk Away Theft
When exiting a vehicle, either the fob system will lock the car automatically or the owner will press a button and the job is done. It is, unless that is a suspicious character is standing nearby with technology that emits a blocking signal. You might walk away thinking the car is locked but it isn’t. Even if they cannot drive the car away, they still have access to contents. Always look back and ensure the car is locked by watching for the flashing lights. In the case of an electronic button-push key, try the doors.
A worthwhile consideration is to buy a high-quality immobiliser. Get the best you can afford by consulting with a vehicle security retailer, ideally one that has a nationwide home fitting service. The WeTrak Pro+ is a secure Ghost Immobiliser that can be activated or de-activated from our free app.
Relay Theft
Even the most expensive, security-laden premium vehicles like Range Rovers are susceptible to relay theft, often from right outside the house in the dead of night. This is about protecting keyless cars from high-tech gadgetry used by the thieves to remove a car in very short order. Before long, it will be in a container heading for a new home.
Relay theft is when a device placed against a door, wall or window that can boost the signal of the key fob to a second device held by the car. The vehicle senses the signal and unlocks and can be driven away. This can take under a minute and is why fitting a car tracker makes absolute sense. At least that way the car can be tracked and traced by the police, greatly improving the chances of a swift recovery.
Keyless Protection At Home And Away
Putting the keys near the front door may be convenient but it also is much appreciated by the car-jacker. Signals cannot be boosted through metal so consider putting the keys in a metal box. Another idea is to use a Faraday Pouch. These usual little bags are lined with metallic material that can block a key’s signal. When not in use, slip the key or fob into these pocket- or handbag-sized soft pouches for instant protection. They are very affordable too and available to order online.
Simple Extra Tips
Remember the old-fashioned steering wheel locks from years ago? They are still around and although experienced car thieves can deal with them in short order, they are still a visible deterrent and deter opportunistic theft. It is also an extra hurdle for the thief to overcome. They want to be in and gone.
Also, when out and about and parking in a public place, consider parking adjacent to CCTV cameras; there’s a lot of them about. Keyless car thieves may think twice if they are under the one-eyed gaze.