Smart Keys and anti-theft common sense

Are Keys Getting Too Smart? New Car Keys Bring Advanced Tech to Driver's Seat

The link above is to a Popular Mechanics article about advanced keys systems.

The author, Paul Eisenstein, explores some of the interesting features on two of the new generation transponder keys. The new Ford MyKey systems have a number of features that vehicle owners control certain aspects of the driving experience based on which key credential is presented. Though the RFID transponder is not very different than previous editions, it is the software in the vehicle that makes more use of the transponder in the key.

Some of the new Ford MyKey features include:

-Limiting Maximum Speed of the vehicle
-Limiting Volume control of the Radio
-Chime notifications at certain speed levels.
-Various comfort settings of the seat and steering wheel.

What is most striking is not the technology, as many of these features have been implemented on high end luxury vehicles for several years. What will strike most people is that the first Ford vehicle to use the MyKey system is the humble Ford Focus!

BMW keys go another step on European models by allowing near smart phone like capabilities by their new keys. Bmw has teamed up with NXP semiconductors for their new multiple application key. The new keys can be used to pay for things much like a proximity type credit card device.

Despite the increased cost of keys and the difficulty in finding people to service these high end vehicle electronic systems, transponder keys have worked in drastically reducing the theft of vehicles in the US.

One thing most will notice after reviewing a list like the one below (2007, Source NICB) is that cars are still being stolen, however they are much older because the majority of them don't have factory equipped immobilizer/transponder systems:

Honda Civic 1995
Honda Accord 1991
Toyota Camry 1989
Ford F-150 1997
Chevy C/K 1500 1994
Acura Integra 1994
Dodge Ram Pickup 2004
Nissan Sentra 1994
Toyota Pickup 1988
Toyota Corolla 2007

2008, NICB "Hot Wheels Report"

1994 Honda Accord
1995 Honda Civic
1989 Toyota Camry
1997 Ford F-150 Pick up
2004 Dodge Ram Pick Up
2000 Dodge Caravan
1996 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
1994 Acura Integra
1999 Ford Taurus
2002 Ford Explorer

A few thing you can do to make your vehicle 'less attractive' to car thieves or thieves who want stuff FROM your car:

1. Never leave items of value such as a GPS or other electronics in 'plain sight' where they are visible from the outside of the vehicle. Pack them up and take them with you or put them in the trunk.

2. Never leave extra keys in your car. Thieves will take about 4 seconds to scan all the common locations and start the car and leave. This will be particularly difficult to explain to your insurance carrier when it is determined that your car was taken with a key.

3. If you do invest in an aftermarket alarm, DO NOT put the stickers that identify the alarm on the vehicle. If a thief knows what type of system they have to bypass, they may have the specific information to bypass that system and are more likely to target that vehicle.

4. Never leave your vehicle running while you run into a store. This is particularly true for leaving your vehicle running at the gas pump.

5. Lock your car with the remote rather than with the key. Many vehicles alarm systems are only fully activated when the vehicle is locked with the remote. Some remotes require you to 'double click' the remote or 'long hold' the lock button to activate the alarm. Check your owners manual and learn how your remote works.

Beyond these simple things you can do everyday, GET A DUPLICATE TRANSPONDER KEY MADE BEFORE YOU NEED IT.

A Pop-A-Lock Locksmith or an NASTF participating locksmith can create a duplicate for your electronic key (the buzz word for electronic keys is 'credential') or even make a replacement for your key if all copies are lost...but an ounce of prevention is worth about 285.00 pounds of cure.