[RichE]

I've been reading about the new relay(?) way that crooks can gain entry and even start cars with remote fobs. Other than putting the fob in aluminum foil, heard there is a way to turn some fobs off with some button presses.

Anyone know how/where to do this, if at all possible?

Thanks.

 

[MichBolt]

I've been reading about the new relay(?) way that crooks can gain entry and even start cars with remote fobs. Other than putting the fob in aluminum foil, heard there is a way to turn some fobs off with some button presses.

Anyone know how/where to do this, if at all possible?

Thanks.

You can unpair a fob from the car so it can't be used at all. You could remove the battery from the fob. You could store the fob in an RF-shielded container or case. I don't know of a way to temporarily disable a fob just by pressing the buttons.

 

[GregBrew]

Stick your fob in the fridge when not in use. A refrigerator is a pretty decent Faraday cage, and the cold should make the battery last longer. A concern is condensation in/on the fob upon removal, if the weather is humid.

 

[Jerry Duke]

Make sure your car insurance includes theft.

 

[kline1]

Stick your fob in the fridge when not in use. A refrigerator is a pretty decent Faraday cage, and the cold should make the battery last longer. A concern is condensation in/on the fob upon removal, if the weather is humid.

The microwave is a perfect Faraday cage; you also don't have to worry about condensation.

 

[kline1]

"Several technological solutions are available to help prevent thefts. A product called Secure-A-Key can be installed inside your fob to prevent relay attacks. Secure-A-Key uses a small microcontroller in conjunction with an accelerometer. If the fob remains motionless for several minutes, the battery is electrically disconnected from the transmitter, making it impossible for the relay antenna to pick up a signal. As soon as you pick up the keys to start your car or truck, the connection is reestablished and everything works normally. "

Automobile Thefts – What Is a Relay Attack?

As more vehicles have keyless entry systems, technologically advanced thieves have created what’s known as a relay attack to steal yourcar.

www.bestcaraudio.com

 

[JMBisMe]

"Several technological solutions are available to help prevent thefts. A product called Secure-A-Key can be installed inside your fob to prevent relay attacks. Secure-A-Key uses a small microcontroller in conjunction with an accelerometer. If the fob remains motionless for several minutes, the battery is electrically disconnected from the transmitter, making it impossible for the relay antenna to pick up a signal. As soon as you pick up the keys to start your car or truck, the connection is reestablished and everything works normally. "

Automobile Thefts – What Is a Relay Attack?

As more vehicles have keyless entry systems, technologically advanced thieves have created what’s known as a relay attack to steal yourcar.

www.bestcaraudio.com

I'm a new Bolt owner and totally new to keyless fob vehicles. Is the fob only needed to start the vehicle, or is it necessary that the fob remain inside the vehicle while it running/moving? In the owner's manual, and from my experience, if you start the Bolt, then get out of the car with the fob in your pocket it will chirp at you and I think eventually shuts itself down after a few minutes. But what happens, in theory, if your kid throws the fob out the window while you're driving? Not something that's possible with keyed ignitions...unless you have a really janky old Toyota like my friend in high school .

 

[kline1]

I'm a new Bolt owner and totally new to keyless fob vehicles. Is the fob only needed to start the vehicle, or is it necessary that the fob remain inside the vehicle while it running/moving? In the owner's manual, and from my experience, if you start the Bolt, then get out of the car with the fob in your pocket it will chirp at you and I think eventually shuts itself down after a few minutes. But what happens, in theory, if your kid throws the fob out the window while you're driving? Not something that's possible with keyed ignitions...unless you have a really janky old Toyota like my friend in high school .

I left my car running while I have the fob and I never had it shut off. But this is an anecdotal account. Once the car is started, I believe you can continue driving as long as you like without the fob (I would think it would be a safety issue if your battery goes dead while driving and you are unable to pull over)

 

[TFPDrive]

But what happens, in theory, if your kid throws the fob out the window while you're driving?

Then the kid goes next. Joking(!), but I do recommend keeping the fob someplace safe if this is a legit concern.

The car will continue to stay on and able to run when driving. In park it will run for 2 hours with the fob in the car and 1 hour without.

 

[ngdriving]

You can unpair a fob from the car so it can't be used at all. You could remove the battery from the fob. You could store the fob in an RF-shielded container or case. I don't know of a way to temporarily disable a fob just by pressing the buttons.

Sean,
How do you unpair a fob from the car? I would love to know the detailed steps.

Thanks,
ngdriving

 

[MichBolt]

Sean MichBolt(?),
How do you unpair a fob from the car? I would love to know the detailed steps.

Thanks,
ngdriving

Here are instructions from the 2020 owner's manual to have the vehicle forget the existing keyfobs. What I don't know is whether you can reprogram one of the fobs again after completing this procedure.

Programming without Two Recognized Transmitters

If two currently recognized transmitters are not available, follow this procedure to program up to eight transmitters. This feature is not available in Canada. This procedure will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. The vehicle must be off and all of the transmitters to be programmed must be with you.

1. Remove the key lock cylinder cover on the driver door handle. See Door Locks p. 17. Insert the vehicle key of the transmitter into the key lock cylinder on the driver door handle and turn the key to the unlock position five times within 10 seconds. The DIC displays REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.

2. Wait for 10 minutes until the DIC displays PRESS ENGINE START BUTTON TO LEARN and then press the POWER button on the vehicle. The DIC will again show REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.

3. Repeat Step 2 two additional times. After the third time, all previously known transmitters will no longer work with the vehicle. Remaining transmitters can be relearned during the next steps. The DIC should now show READY FOR REMOTE # 1.

4. Open the center console and take out the small tray, if equipped. Place the transmitter in the backup location with the buttons facing down.

5. Press the POWER button on the vehicle to start the vehicle. When the transmitter is learned, the DIC will show that it is ready to program the next transmitter.

6. Remove the transmitter from the backup location and press the UNLOCK or LOCK button on the key fob. To program additional transmitters, repeat Steps 4–6. When all additional transmitters are programmed, press and hold the POWER button on the vehicle for 12 seconds to exit programming mode.

7. Put the key back into the RKE transmitter.

8. Replace the key lock cylinder cap. See Door Locks p. 17.

 

[Sean Nelson]

Sean,
How do you unpair a fob from the car? I would love to know the detailed steps.

You replied to MichBolt but used my name.... so just for the record, I have no idea.

You can try the procedure he quoted from the owners manual, but it's not clear to me that the procedure actually clears the fobs themselves - it may just reset the car so that it doesn't recognize them. If you plan to use the fobs with a different car that may not be enough.

 

[GregBrew]

The microwave is a perfect Faraday cage; you also don't have to worry about condensation.

Just don't forget it's in there. Less of a problem with the fridge.

 

[GregBrew]

You replied to MichBolt but used my name.... so just for the record, I have no idea.

You can try the procedure he quoted from the owners manual, but it's not clear to me that the procedure actually clears the fobs themselves - it may just reset the car so that it doesn't recognize them. If you plan to use the fobs with a different car that may not be enough.

I just sent a pair off to be "unlocked" by an on-line service (e-Bay) recommended in anther thread. I'll be posting my results there. I'm trying to re-use two OEM spares from my 2017, on a new 2021.

 

[XJ12]

am I the only one that thinks of a sledgehammer every time they see the thread title?