How to prevent keyless car theft and keep your car safe (2024)

How to prevent keyless car theft

While keyless entry cars are great for a hands-free life, you might be worried this tech leaves your pride and joy vulnerable to thieves.

Luckily, there are some easy hacks to learn how to prevent keyless car theft.

What is keyless car theft?

Some of us will be old enough to remember the days of turning an actual metal key in a door to unlock a car. But that's old school. These days, you open and start most cars using a key fob, card or, in some cases, an app on your smartphone.

But, like contactless debit and credit cards, keyless technology can sometimes be vulnerable to illegal cloning. This is when thieves trick your car into believing the digital key is being used, when in actual fact, they've just created a clone.

Don’t panic though, because there are some surprisingly basic ways to prevent keyless car theft. We’ve got you covered with the anti-theft 101.

Keyless car theft prevention tips

Signal blocking

A cheap, very quick and brilliantly effective way to protect your key when it's lying around at home is to buy a signal-blocking box or pouch. By storing your car keys, fob or card in an aluminium tin (even grandma’s old biscuit tins), or a special signal blocking box, the signal between the car and key is blocked. This means thieves can't intercept it and clone a new one.

If you’re out and about, then a Faraday pouch is your best friend. Think of it like RFID blocking wallet to protect your credit cards from contactless theft.Simple, but highly effective.

Get a motion sensor fob

Lots of car manufacturers use motion sensor fobs now. These fobs stop transmitting a signal if the key is left idle for a certain amount of time. If you leave it on the counter, it will time itself out and stop actively transmitting so no one can clone it.

Handily, it also helps to save the battery life. Some fobs can also be switched off manually, which we’d advise doing, especially at night.

Keep on top of car software updates

Like your smartphone's updates, an increasing number of cars have over-the-air (OTA) updates that download the latest software programs released by their makers.

Make sure you accept these when the notification pops up because many of them include new security measures, rolled out in response to new types of criminal technology.

Steering wheel lock

Sometimes you can’t beat the old ways, and a steering wheel lock makes driving away almost impossible until it's removed. Even in this day and age, it’s a huge deterrent, and one that you can keep and use on future cars as well - assuming their wheels don't change shape...

While not completely effective (there are tools that can cut or break these locks), they do slow down thieves, plus they force them to make noise. That alone can convince them to move on to another, less secure car.

Check your car's technology

It’s important to remember that car manufacturers are always working to be one step ahead of the game, inventing advanced anti-theft technology like ultra wide-band radio, so thieves can’t tap into the car's signal.

There’s also an option in many cars now to turn off the keyless entry system when the car’s parked for long periods. Some cars even have password entry!So best consult your car's handbook to see what systems you could make the most of.

Common questions about keyless car theft:

What are the manufacturers doing about keyless theft?

Some car manufacturers are taking steps to help prevent keyless car theft.

Motion Sensor Key Fobs have been introduced by brands such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes. These keys go into 'sleep mode' if they've been inactive for 40 seconds, making it harder for criminals to get the signal.

Kia has even produced it's own 'KiaSafe' case to help prevent keyless car thefts.

Can keyless cars be stolen?

Keyless cars can be stolen if criminals are able to replicate the signal from a car's key, using relay amplifiers and transmitters.

How long will a keyless car run without a key?

There's typically no limit on how far a keyless car can drive without a key once it's started up.

In many cases, criminals will steal the car and run it until it's out of fuel or they've reached their destination.

Learn more:

  • Next-gen Apple CarPlay tech breaks cover

  • Porsche Cayman GT4 vs Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition - video!

How to prevent keyless car theft and keep your car safe (2024)

FAQs

How to prevent keyless car theft and keep your car safe? ›

Protect your car with our signal blocking faraday box, which can prevent thieves from using key fob skimming tools to replicate your key fob encrypted signal code to gain access to your vehicle and keyless entry system. Simple way to keep your car safe, give peace of mind when you sleep at night.

How do I protect my keyless car from theft? ›

How to protect your keyless entry car
  1. When at home keep your car key (and the spare) away from the car, doors and windows.
  2. Put your keys in a signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag.
  3. Turn off wireless signals on your fob when it's not being used.
  4. Use a steering wheel lock or car alarm.

What is the box to prevent keyless car theft? ›

Protect your car with our signal blocking faraday box, which can prevent thieves from using key fob skimming tools to replicate your key fob encrypted signal code to gain access to your vehicle and keyless entry system. Simple way to keep your car safe, give peace of mind when you sleep at night.

What material blocks the car key signal? ›

By storing your car keys, fob or card in an aluminium tin (even grandma's old biscuit tins), or a special signal blocking box, the signal between the car and key is blocked. This means thieves can't intercept it and clone a new one. If you're out and about, then a Faraday pouch is your best friend.

How do keyless cars not get stolen? ›

Park in a Garage at Night to Prevent Keyless Car Theft

Park your car in a garage overnight is ideal to stop keyless car theft, this increases the distance between your car and potential thieves trying intercept and amplify the signal from your car key fob.

Which keyless cars are most stolen? ›

The Ford Fiesta holds the unwanted title of being the most stolen car, with almost 6,000 being taken last year, according to the DVLA. Telegraph Money delves into why keyless cars are an easy target, and the eight steps you can take to beef up security on your vehicle.

Where is the best place to keep keyless car keys? ›

To reduce potential keyless car theft via signal relaying, it's best to keep your keys away from front doors and windows. For a little extra security, you may also want to store your key fob in a tin or signal-blocking pouch (commonly called a Faraday pouch) to prevent thieves from gaining access to the signal.

Does a Faraday box really work? ›

Are Faraday boxes 100% effective? Unfortunately, no. While they can block a significant amount of electromagnetic radiation, some signals may still be able to penetrate the box. In addition, the effectiveness of the box may be reduced over time as the materials degrade or become damaged.

Why do people wrap car keys in foil? ›

While these methods seem to pose huge security risks to your vehicle, there is actually quite a simple solution to protect your car: wrap your keys in tin foil. Wrapping your keys in this every-day household item will act as a barrier and ensure that the signal is not transmitted in a relay attack.

Do Faraday bags work for key fobs? ›

The best way to protect your car is to block signals with a metal cage, and the simplest method is to use a Faraday bag. In effect, this hides the key and its coded information, which could be electronically copied to let a thief drive your car away.

What cars are at risk from keyless theft? ›

Some of the country's best-selling cars, including the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Qashqai and Ford Focus, are potentially at risk from keyless theft, according to consumer group Which? Keyless entry systems enable cars to start if the key fob is nearby.

How far can a keyless car drive without the key? ›

You can drive a short distance without using a key fob in some cars (some key jobs can operate more than 30 to 50 feet) and If you expect to drive farther than that, you have to need your key. Normally, drivers can continue driving until they turn off the ignition system.

Are push button start cars harder to steal? ›

Here's what you can do to protect yourself from being a victim. Cars with keyless entry systems – which allow owners to unlock and even sometimes start a vehicle through a transmitted signal embedded in the key fob – may offer functionality and convenience, but they are also more vulnerable to theft.

Can thieves get into keyless cars? ›

Keyless theft (otherwise known as relay theft) is relatively simple; all it requires is two small boxes of electronics, which thieves can use to open your car in as little as 60 seconds. Crooks will typically work in pairs to commit relay theft, with one holding a relay amplifier, and the other a relay transmitter.

Will a metal box stop a car key signal? ›

Yes, storing your keys in a metal box will block the signal sent out from your keys and prevent thieves from exploiting it. These are often called Faraday boxes or signal blocking boxes.

How common is keyless car theft? ›

A study in late 2022 showed that keyless cars are actually twice as likely to be stolen as traditional cars with keys.

Can a push button start car be stolen? ›

(WAVY) — If you don't want your car stolen, you lock the doors. But for push-to-start cars, it may not be enough, a technology expert warns. Relay devices can be used to steal push-to-start cars by amplifying your key fob signal.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Trent Wehner

Last Updated:

Views: 6395

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Trent Wehner

Birthday: 1993-03-14

Address: 872 Kevin Squares, New Codyville, AK 01785-0416

Phone: +18698800304764

Job: Senior Farming Developer

Hobby: Paintball, Calligraphy, Hunting, Flying disc, Lapidary, Rafting, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Trent Wehner, I am a talented, brainy, zealous, light, funny, gleaming, attractive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.