Keeping our cars safe when we are not in them is just as important as when we are in them and we’ve recommended the best ways to ensure that you can keep your car safe when there’s no need to lock it by pressing a button. Read on to find out how you can prevent thieves from breaking and entering your keyless vehicle.
How does keyless car theft happen?
With great, innovative technology comes great cost and unfortunately, keyless entry cars have made it very simple for thieves to gain access to and potentially drive away in your vehicle. In 2022, a report detailed that the top two keyless entry vehicles that were stolen throughout the year were Ford Fiestas and most Land Rover Range Rover models. But how can people possibly steal a keyless car when there’s no key to steal it with?
Burglars can find specific tech online that allows them to unlock these cars illegally. Keyless car theft happens because there are a variety of ways that would-be thieves can gain access to your vehicle:
Close-range testing
Most keyless vehicles require the key to be inside the car before you can start the engine. Whilst this prevents someone from driving away in your car, it doesn’t stop them from breaking in to look for valuables to steal. If your key is placed in close proximity to your vehicle (perhaps by the front door or window), it may still be in range and offer easy access to criminals.
Signal relaying
Some cars light up as you approach them, so that you’re able to see them in the dark. This is due to the technology in the key relying on a short-range signal, so that when you are near the car, the door automatically unlocks. The range is usually 1.8 to 2.7 metres - if your car keys are left near the front door or window overnight and a wireless transmitter is placed near your front door or window, thieves are able to intercept the signal before it is received by the car. Another thief standing near your car then captures that signal, the car will unlock and they will have access.
Hacking
Whilst this is predominantly for those who use an app to unlock their car, technologies that rely on the cloud are at high risk of being hacked into. Smartphones themselves can be hacked or stolen, but apps allow access to your phone from the safety of your own home. As this gives you the ability to share digital keys amongst different devices, the risk of hacking into the app is significantly increased.
Key programming
All cars manufactured in the last 10 years have something called a diagnostic port fitted as standard. This port is used by mechanics and is used as an easy way to access the car’s onboard computer system to run tests. Some criminals may have an understanding of how these systems work and have since developed their own tech that can plug into the port and allow them to start the car or unlock doors.
How to protect your keyless car from theft
Whilst there are different ways a thief can gain access to your car which can seem very worrying, there are also many different ways you can prevent would-be thieves from stealing your car:
Keep your key out of range
One of the most obvious ways to keep your car safe is to keep the key away from doors and windows so there’s no chance of criminals using the signal or close range to gain access to your car. For example, if your car is parked at the front of your house, make sure your key is stored at the back and vice versa. If you have a spare key, keep it stored in a place that is out of range of the vehicle and secure.
Install a tracking device
Installing a tracking device can help to find your car should it get stolen or at least warn you of any suspicious activity when you’re not near the car. A tracking device can be monitored by the relevant authorities and the car found and seized before the thief can get any further with it.
Avoid parking on the street overnight
Whilst we understand that there is no alternative for some, those who have off-road parking should try to utilise it as much as they can. If a keyless car is stolen, it tends to happen on residential streets in the evening and night under the cover of darkness. Car insurance can also be more expensive for on-road parking for this reason, amongst others. If you have no other choice but to leave your car on the road, always ensure that any valuables are taken out of the car or aren’t on view.
Make sure you car is properly locked
Some keyless cars don’t just allow you to walk up to your car and automatically unlock the doors, but they also allow you to walk away from your car and automatically lock the doors. Most will make a sound to alert you of this, but if it doesn’t make a sound or doesn’t have self-locking doors, always remember to check that your car is locked before you walk away - especially if you’re leaving it parked in a public area with lots of foot traffic.
Choose a car with the tech
Some manufacturers include special technology with their cars and this includes the keys as well. Some newer key fobs now come with motion sensors which know when the key hasn’t been moved in a while and will put it into sleep mode. Sleep mode prevents response to a relay signal from outside. It only exits sleep mode when it is picked back up. Double-check how long the key needs to be motionless before sleep mode kicks in.
Some cars have a key where the wifi signal can be switched off when you stop using the car for the day and allow you to switch it back on when you use the car again. There may be a combination of buttons you have to press in order to utilise this feature but that should be explained in the car’s handbook. If the car is second-hand, it may be wise to get the key reprogrammed completely so that the previous owner, or anyone who finds the key should you lose it, won’t be able to gain access to your car.
Invest in a signal-blocking pouch
Faraday bags are ideal for both phones and car keys to prevent signals from being sent and received. This means that it is much more difficult to steal your car through this method. You can buy these relatively cheaply from a range of sellers and they aren’t an expensive purchase either. Just make sure that it works properly before relying on it.
Stay secure at home
Ensuring that your cars are safe whilst you are at home may seem obvious, but there are certain ways you can make sure your car is less desirable to thieves. CCTV and security lighting can make for the perfect deterrent, but even if it doesn’t quite deter them, it gives you a good chance of finding out who stole your car and doubles up as evidence to give to the police. If you have the space and finances to do so, installing gates or posts can also act as a deterrent.
You can also park your cars in such a way that the more expensive cars are blocked in by the least expensive cars. This makes it much harder for thieves to take the car off the drive but also may put them off trying altogether.
Keep your car safe with Swansway Motor Group
Making sure your vehicle is safe both on and off the road is imperative to making owning a car stress-free. With the rise of car theft, particularly around keyless cars, there are many ways that you can prevent and deter thieves from attempting to steal your car. Take a look at the range of used vehicles if you’re looking for a convenient, keyless car. If you’re unsure what you're looking for or would like more information about one of the vehicles you see on our website, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our team and we’d be happy to help you.