The keyless entry system is a breakthrough in car technology. Most modern car owners have the ability to lock and unlock doors without an actual key. On top of that, a keyless ignition system allows you to fire up your car’s engine with just the push of a button and your key fob in close proximity.
One of the main reasons for the popularity of the keyless entry system is the convenience. Apart from not needing to fumble with your keys to get in your car, the keyless entry system also automatically locks your doors once you’ve walked a certain distance away. You’ll never have to worry about whether you’ve forgotten to lock your doors as long as the fob is with you. Otherwise, if you leave the fob inside the car, it will remain unlocked so you don’t get locked out.
Relay Theft in Keyless Cars
Having a keyless car makes you safer from traditional forms of theft such as lockpicking and it saves you from the frustration of not knowing which bag you put in your car keys. However, there are also downsides to keyless entry and keyless ignition systems.
Relay theft is a new method used by thieves to steal modern cars with keyless entry technology. This form of theft requires specialist equipment that captures signals from the key fob and transmits this to cloning gadgets that thieves carry, standing only a few meters away from your car.
Once the signal is transferred, this tricks your car into thinking that your actual key fob is near so it unlocks the doors and allows the ignition to start. In relay theft, it only takes a few minutes for thieves to gain full access to your car.
How to Protect Your Car from Keyless Relay Theft
Here are some quick tips to avoid becoming a victim of relay theft:
- Store your keys in containers that prevents signal transmission. The cheap way is to shove your keys in metal containers you have at home such as the microwave or even in the refrigerator. The layers of metal in these containers block the signal from your fob, preventing it from getting picked up by thieves outside. You can also invest in a Faraday case that is specifically designed to block all electromagnetic fields.
- Do not put your keys near doors and windows. The further away your keys are from your car, the harder it is for relay thieves to pick up the signal.
- Park in a safe place. If not in a garage, park in a well-lit and populated spot to avoid being a target.
- Invest in car security technology. There are a lot of options available for CAN BUS alarms that can be discreetly fitted into your car. Before the car can be started, you will have to enter pin code that is 4 to 20 digits long or you can also input a sequence of button presses on the steering wheel controls, dashboard, window and mirror control buttons.This is ideal because the car can only be started if the correct pin code or button sequence has been keyed in. Some alarms and immobilizers can also be accessed and controlled on your phone—look for the most ideal one that suits your needs.
- Use a steering wheel lock as a physical barrier. Car thieves have access to a wide range of high-tech gadgets that can unlock and start cars in minutes! Having a steering wheel lock improves the security of your car as these locks are a heavy chunk of metal that is difficult to crack. Steering wheel locks can also deter thieves, thinking that it is more difficult to steal a car with a physical barrier.
- Invest in a tracking device. Cars fitted with tracking devices have higher recovery rates when stolen.
- Check if your key fob can be turned off when not in use. Read through your owner’s manual or consult your dealer for this function.
Overall, being a vigilant car owner will put you at a lower risk of falling victim to keyless relay theft. Although new security measures and frequency technologies are constantly being developed by manufacturers, car owners must take their car’s security into their own hands and fight back against criminals by arming your car with reliable security systems.