anti-theft equipment of the solara gen 2

[mikei]

All this talk about our cars security vulnerabilities makes me nervous.

A lot of people other than us read through these forums and I think some

things are better left unsaid. However I will make a few comments about

this topic.

1) At least Toyota has an immobilitizer.

2) Latest key technology.

3) Glass breakage sensor availability from manufacturer. ( I did not

use this inexpensive security upgrade on my 2002 Camry and on my

2005 Solara I did not make the same mistake I had it installed when I

bought the car. ( Tapping on the window sets off the alarm.)

4) The use of a brake (clutch) lock [Autolock]. I do not recommend the

Club because they just cut the steering wheel and bend it to remove the

club. You need the newer Autolock that has a straight key not the round

one . The round one can be opened with a Bic pen.

My wifes Dodge Caravan does not come with an immobilizer and it was

stolen last year. Thankfully we got it back about 2 months later and it

cost us $1,500 to replace the locks and steering column. All in all not a

pleasant experience. Car theives know all the cars and target the ones

that are the easiest to steal (no immobilizer).

If the pros want your car they will get it no matter what you do but the

immobilizer and an autolock will protect us from the other 99%

of them.

[Down2TheC]

Easier for the thiefs to get a VIN and a lazy dealer to get a key made. Or do we have a key code too?

You got a key code when you got your keys delivered

Right you are... just checked the tag that came on the keys.

[jsie]

Easier for the thiefs to get a VIN and a lazy dealer to get a key made. Or do we have a key code too?

I believe key code is only for those physical pattern on the key. Any dealer can make duplicate from master key or from key code. But the car still cannot be started with only the right key; it should have be the right key and the pre-programmed embedded chip on the key.

[Down2TheC]

Easier for the thiefs to get a VIN and a lazy dealer to get a key made. Or do we have a key code too?

I believe key code is only for those physical pattern on the key. Any dealer can make duplicate from master key or from key code. But the car still cannot be started with only the right key; it should have be the right key and the pre-programmed embedded chip on the key.

True. The key code is for the mechanical copy, the VIN tells them how to program the chip. You need both to start.