Posted: 2/29/2004 6:20:25 PM EDT
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Just saw a report on the local news about cars being stolen with "master keys". The reporter ordered some off of the internet and they went around in store parking lots with a cop and (with owner permission) broke into peoples cars with them. Anyone seen/used these things? Any ideas on how to modify the locks in your own vehicle to prevent these from working? |
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Yeah, I've seen those websites (it was a long time ago). It's the reason why the Toyota Camry is the most-stolen vehicle, I think. When I lost the keys to a rental, I had a locksmith come help me out. He had the blanks for each make, and a book of codes for each make of car. He'd punch the codes into the machine, and crank out a master key. But my car was so new, and this was on Kauai, he didn't have the right codes for it. I guess the best defense against that would be to buy a "Club" thing to secure the steering wheel. |
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Quoted: Yeah, I've seen those websites (it was a long time ago). It's the reason why the Toyota Camry is the most-stolen vehicle, I think. When I lost the keys to a rental, I had a locksmith come help me out. He had the blanks for each make, and a book of codes for each make of car. He'd punch the codes into the machine, and crank out a master key. But my car was so new, and this was on Kauai, he didn't have the right codes for it. [red]I guess the best defense against that would be to buy a "Club" thing to secure the steering wheel.[/red] A zip saw and the club comes off in a few seconds, if they want it they got it. A hidden kill switch is the best bet, |
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Quoted: Car thieves call them jiggle keys. Often thwarted by a simple homegrown kill-switch installation. They dont want to spend too much time trying to get the car started. Or by more 'advanced' ignition systems that rely on electronic key-IDs to verify the authenticity of a key.... |
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Quoted: Quoted: Car thieves call them jiggle keys. Often thwarted by a simple homegrown kill-switch installation. They dont want to spend too much time trying to get the car started. Or by more 'advanced' ignition systems that rely on electronic key-IDs to verify the authenticity of a key.... I belive my Impala has that in it. There is also the vice grips master key. |
| I lost my keys at a friend's house a year or two ago. Quick trip to the hardware store and I had a new key that said something like "Fits Mazda MX-6, 90-91". From what I remember, it only cost a few bucks, and worked on all the locks/ignition. Old car, though.. had I said, "I need a master key for a 2002 Ford Thunderbird" or some such, I doubt I'd have had much luck. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Car thieves call them jiggle keys. Often thwarted by a simple homegrown kill-switch installation. They dont want to spend too much time trying to get the car started. Or by more 'advanced' ignition systems that rely on electronic key-IDs to verify the authenticity of a key.... Costing $100 to replace when lost and a PITA to get in the first place? No thanks, I'll take my chances with the legit thieves. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Car thieves call them jiggle keys. Often thwarted by a simple homegrown kill-switch installation. They dont want to spend too much time trying to get the car started. Or by more 'advanced' ignition systems that rely on electronic key-IDs to verify the authenticity of a key.... Costing $100 to replace when lost and a PITA to get in the first place? No thanks, I'll take my chances with the legit thieves. Um, how often do you lose your keys? Btw you must have some really old and/or crappy cars to not have the electronic ID keys. Why "take your chances"? I mean, even if I forget to lock my car nobody is going to start it up (unless there is some f-ing "master" electronic key). Btw on my 5 series BMW, if you lock the car with the remote it is impossible to open the doors, even from the inside (so the manual said... just to make sure I locked a couple of my buddies in the car and they couldn't get out..I sure as hell wasn't going to lock myself in there and test it). |