New Fiestas being targeted by thieves
- Thread starter Adam
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Caporegime
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How is it not less secure. To start your cars ignition and remove the steering wheel lock you need to insert a cut key into the ignition. Sure this can all be bypassed by a thief but it is going to take longer (removing all the cowling etc) then it would with a car that has key less entry and push start. This is a simple case of the car makers trying to reinvent the wheel.
So just pure coincidence that there was a huge wave of thefts targeting their keyless system then, nothing to do with vulnerability.
Car manufacturers always feed people a load of BS to try to reduce their exposure, you'd have to be pretty naive to believe they admit to every problem their cars suffer from.
You would like to think they would get involved... we have tried reporting it to watchdog a number of times on the RSOC as I'm sure they have on the ST forums as well but nothing ever comes of it.
The only deterrent is a disklok... not heard of a single RS being stolen with one yet.
Watching that viper video is basically a DIY how to nick a forcus RS....
Always good of people to point out exactly how thieves get in without setting off the alarm, i.e. spark plug technique and OBD key copier, infact after googling for 5 mins I've found all the gear needed...I should have patented my OBD switch idea, it works so well and could be universally fitted to all OBD ports
maybe I still will, if I wasn't such a lazy so and so.....
Always good of people to point out exactly how thieves get in without setting off the alarm, i.e. spark plug technique and OBD key copier, infact after googling for 5 mins I've found all the gear needed...I should have patented my OBD switch idea, it works so well and could be universally fitted to all OBD ports
maybe I still will, if I wasn't such a lazy so and so.....
They wouldn't have problems if they didn't create all this unnecessary technology in the first place. I mean who needs keyless entry is it really that hard to press one button on your fob to unlock the car? It's the same with push button start that I know of a few people having problems with that wouldn't happen if u could just use your key which takes 2 seconds.
I have considered leasing a new Fiesta ST but apart from not wanting to keep the same car longer than 12 months with living in Liverpool and parking my car on the drive right outside the door I would be worried that keys left in the hall would leave it unlocked with it being so close to the car not to mention if they can steal them that easy anyway it would be gone in 2 seconds
I'll stick with getting a mk2 Focus ST won't have any of them problems then.
Keyless entry and start is a revelation in my opinion.
It is one of my favourite things about my new Fiesta ST. It is great not even having to go near your keys when using the car.
A lot of gadgets are very "take it or leave it" but I would really miss keyless entry and start now.
With reference to the thefts. I often think that if a professional theif really wants your car, they are odds on going to take it whatever you do.
To be honest, all this moving the OBD port stuff isn't worth it. I think i would rather have it stolen and never seen again than bashed about and tampered with because then i will just be left with smashed windows and no doubt a scratched up/ruined dash.
I certainly won't be getting a disk lock/steering lock as that would defeat the whole purpose and convenience of keyless entry/start.
Caporegime
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- Boston, Lincolnshire
Haven't you maybe thought that ease of stealing is the main reason it is being stolen? A Fiesta is hardly a desirable car but because of how easy to steal it is it has become a no brainer to thieves.
I have read countless articles about keyless entry systems being compromised from a lot of manufacturers. I have never read anything conclusive about them actually being stolen more than any other vehicle though. It is a bit like one of those "Correlation does not imply causation" situations in my opinion.
In any case, if it gets stolen I would rather it was gone and that my insurance bought me a brand new one instead of faffing around with a steering lock, blocking the ODB port or paying a fortune for an expensive alarm (both of which will still result in the car having the window smashed + other parts damaged)
It is not worth worrying about in my opinion, so I will continue to enjoy my keyless entry and start.
I'd argue that a Fiesta ST was a desirable car. Decent performance, looks good and reasonable running costs. Sure it's no Ferrari Enzo, but if the goal is to move it to another country then I'm sure it would be quite an easy car to sell.
Sounds like it's the car they are after rather than the contents
Associate
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The new scooby STI I just bought has a tracker where if it's started without the fob in the immediate driver seat vicinity (just starting it like usual), you get a call from their tracker call center to tell you that this is happening.
So what happens if they do exactly as in the youtube video on the page before this one, and plug this thing in. Does that mean this device is the new "key" and I won't get a call? I'm unsure where the OBD port is on my scooby but I am going to check for sure.
Saw on facebook two green focus RS's stolen from nottinghamshire last night/this morning.....
So what happens if they do exactly as in the youtube video on the page before this one, and plug this thing in. Does that mean this device is the new "key" and I won't get a call? I'm unsure where the OBD port is on my scooby but I am going to check for sure.
Saw on facebook two green focus RS's stolen from nottinghamshire last night/this morning.....
Yep, that's right. A lot of modern cars may be more secure than their older counterparts, but that's not going to stop someone from picking it up with a tow truck. A lot of vehicles are stolen to order, and such outfits already have tow trucks ready and waiting as required.
It's the same with house burglary. You can make your home very secure which will deter most burglars, but if they know you have something and they want it, they will get it.
My car isn't even out of fast idle by the time I've got the disklok off.
Fair point, forgot I usually leave mine running after a cold start up for a few minutes before setting off
Problem is you will have to jump through lots of hoops to get your insurance company to pay out, and you will be stressed as a result. And after all that, the insurance company will place you on a black list that gets shared amongst other insurance companies meaning expensive insurance for you in the future. Insurance firms are typically run by banks, or have bank backing, and it should be clear for all to see that banks are not your best friend nor have your best interests at heart.
Banks and insurance companies are really tightening up of late by the way. The last victory for the man on the street was PPI. Citizens rights have slowly eroded throughout time and you know that you're done for at the end of the day anyway.
lol
Another 2 stolen over the past couple of days in my town, found just by friends of friends sharing status updates on facebook.
I'm absolutely convinced that my car won't be sitting on my drive much longer unless I block it in every night until the thieves get caught or they move on to somewhere else. There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that they are being targeted.
I'm looking in to a GAP policy but I wish I had bought it originally as most policies can only be taken out in the first 180 days.
I'm absolutely convinced that my car won't be sitting on my drive much longer unless I block it in every night until the thieves get caught or they move on to somewhere else. There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that they are being targeted.
I'm looking in to a GAP policy but I wish I had bought it originally as most policies can only be taken out in the first 180 days.
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