Having just got my 2010 RRS I'm a little concerned about the stories of how easy it is to steal them by making a new key from a computer plugged into the ODB port or something. There seem to be a number of threads here with after market solutions or suggestions for making the ODB port inaccessible or adding additional secret switches etc.

What's not clear to me though is how they gain access to the car to plug into the port in the first place - I think I've understood that they somehow block your key and so while you think it's locked it actually isn't, but then surely you wouldn't hear the door locks, the alarm wouldn't arm and the indicators wouldn't flash etc. I'm not sure this is correct though and so I have a question...

If when I leave my car and lock it I hear all the door locks operate, is it actually locked and therefore as secure as any other locked car?

With keyless entry and the keys in my pocket it's impossible to test if the car is actually locked of course because as soon as you go to operate (test) a handle, the car unlocks again... hence the question.

Many thanks,

Why not leave the key a couple of feet away and then check the door if you are concerned it isn't locked? MY16 AUTOBIOGRAPHY Indus silver with some toys

2012 3.0 SDV6 Luxury gone, but a great motor

Yes, I can do that, good point. My concern though isn't really if the car is locked but how secure is it when it is locked and is hearing the locks fire and seeing the indicators flash, mirrors fold in etc. enough to know it is locked?

As secure as any other car. They would have to break in to access the obc. By breaking in, that should sound the cars very faint alarm which really wouldn't scare a cat. If your car isn't keyless, then i wouldn't worry as they will need the key to disengauge the steering wheel lock. Don't let this spoil the enjoyment of your new motor. If your really concerned, nip down to halfauds and buy a steering wheel lock.

Speak to Anthony at Securemycar
I'm having a premium alarm installed by him on oct 8th as are a lot of other forum members

I saw the other thread on Securemycar which is one of those that sparked this concern with me but I'm still questioning how valid the concern is. The securemycar site suggests the thieves can gain access to your car without breaking anything from which they can then use the ODB port to make a new key... I find this confusing? How do they gain access without breaking anything if they don't already have a key unless they are 100% reliant on you not locking it? If the car doesn't lock as it should, because they are blocking the signal or whatever, then surely you wouldn't hear the doors lock, the indicators wouldn't flash etc etc????

Sorry if I'm being dumb but I'd really like to understand the method of non breakage theft so I can accurately assess the risk to me. I know this may not be strictly fair as I don't know the people but from experience I doubt I would get a 100% accurate answer from someone interested in selling me a solution.

Thanks,

They're professional thieves so why would they let you know how they do it?
I used to get I to cars with a tennis ball without breaking anything

Get an alarm or risk getting your car stolen

You risk getting your car stolen with a new alarm or not either way. Most are stolen by professionals, this is what they do. If you are really worried get a steering mounted stop lock as has been suggested. Having said that, I could undo one of these quicker than plugging into the ODB port.
We all pay insurance and unfortunately this is why.
I was told to lock the car via the button on the door handles as this is safer than using the fob, whether this is true or not I don't know. I do it anyway as it takes no more time.

Last edited by Andi on Sat Sep 20 2014 3:29pm. Edited 1 time in total

Companies can disable the OBD port when the alarm is set

Dave, not everyone looks and listens to see their car lock on pressing their remote, most people press the remote on walking away from their car usually with their back turned towards the car and just expect the remote to do its job. What these guys are doing is intercepting the signal when you are pressing the remote and this stops the car from locking so that they can then just open your car door without the alarm going off, plug in their hand held device, swiftly reprogramming their own key all with in 30 seconds, and away they go. If your vehicle requires you to put its key in the ignition and not a keyless start then your car is much safer than the 2011 MY onwards vehicles. My motor is keyless but i always press the button on the door to lock it. Another trick the thieves are using is that they will somehow cause your alarm to activate while hiding within range of the vehicle, then when you press your remote to cancel your alarm, then press it again to reactivate the alarm, as many unsuspecting people won't bother to check why the alarm was activated, simply just reset it from within their home and thats when the thieves block your signal, and then they are in to your vehicle and away they go.

Thanks Ady, that basically confirms what I thought I'd understood from the various threads, but I do appreciate the confirmation as often the facts can get lost in all the different posts. I do have keyless entry on my RRS and so it is one of the 'affected' vehicles, however, although I've never had such before I've already formed the habit of locking it from the door handle buttons - probably because I'm too lazy to get the key out of my pocket

I agree all cars are at risk no matter what security they have on them but I also believe thieves will move on if presented with too many obstacles.

Understanding this has made me less concerned and will help me decide what I want to do if anything to enhance the security.

Many thanks,