The thieves walk around parking lots and up and down streets with a transmitter trying to open cars until one opens. Not all cars with wireless entry systems can be opened. Naturally they target expensive, luxury cars. One way to prevent theft is to use a club or steering wheel locking device. I don't have full coverage on my new 2015 Honda Fit CVT so I may buy a club.

 

The TV says a lot of sensationalistic things. "You may be at risk, more after we make you watch five minutes of commercials!"

This is not exactly new, as code scanners have been around for as long as there has been keyless entry. What is convenient for the owner is also convenient for the thief.

If you want to protect yourself, buy an LX. They can still get into the car, but they will need a physical key to start the car.

 

Or.....One could simply install a relay to cut the power to the starter motor and presto that engine isn't going anywhere without a secure way to re-enable that relay to allow the engine to crank.

 

Can they make the car drive too? The EX will only go a very short distance before it grinds to a halt if the key isn't with the car. I've seen it happen.

 

That's a nifty feature, I learned something new today! Thanks!

 

You will be fine, unless what they are after is sitting on your seat. As for not having full coverage on your car (Namae Kana), your living life in the fast lane. A better idea would be to get full coverage with a $2,000.00 deductible, and low underlying liability limits (whatever your State requires). That policy won't cost you much at all, but would protect you from a total loss from theft, or hitting a deer (ask my wife about that one), or some other act of God (hail).

 

I guess there are two issues here: 1 thieves getting into your car and stealing stuff out of it, and 2 thieves getting into your car and taking it and everything in it by stealing it.

The first scenario really has no silver lining. Simply put: don't leave crap in your car that you can see from the outside unless you want it to get stolen. Thieves are oportunists. If they see something worth taking, they'll take it. They'll either use one of those rolling code scanner things (ps thieves don't reallt use those, they're lazy, remember? They don't want to walk around until they find a door or trunk that opens) or just break a window and take what they want. Assuming you remembered to lock your door in the first place.

The second scenario plays out like this: our cars have transponders in them that can only be read from a very short distance away from the keyhole. For "keyless" models with the start/stop button the transmitter (key) still has to have the same code to communicate with the ECU to start the car. No transponder with correct code means the only way the thief steals you entire car is with a tow truck. Assuming, as someone else mentioned, you don't have a steering wheel locking device, like The Club. My mom swore by that and faithfully put it on the sterring wheel of her 1997 Corolla that was inside her garage with the alarm on. I gave her so much crap for that, because I too had seen the horror story segments on tv about how car thieves can simply cut The Club and drive away. Let's go back to the part where thieves are really lazy. I talked with an Auto Crimes Detective I work with and he said that in the decades he has been in that position he has never seen or even heard of a car with a Club on it being stolen.

Long story somewhat shorter: as someone else mentioned, the news story is hype. And thieves are lazy. But if they really want your Fit for some weird reason (the horsepower or uncanny cargo space), they will steal it no matter what precautions you may have taken. But, if they do steal it, guess what? Your car insurance company will give you money! You can either use that money for another vehicle, or a fun afternoon in Las Vegas.

 

My 1987 Honda Prelude was stolen after someone cut a nice chunk out of the steering wheel to remove the club.


Point being, the majority of thieves are opportunists, but some won't quit till they have what they want.


I have no worries about my FIT EX 6speed being stolen. With the alarm, engine immobilizer and inability to go far if it *was* running without the key fob I don't think it would be worth the effort.


Who goes somewhere and leaves their empty car running anyway?


And as DWils just mentioned, that's what insurance is for...which I highly recommend you adjust to full coverage.