Molested!

[MadBill]

While I was away on business for two days, some lowlife rifled through my Vibe in a crowded parking lot. I think I must have left the glass hatch open, as I found it unlatched and there was no sign of forced entry and yet I know I locked the doors. The good news is that there was no damage to the Vibe, but they/he smashed the CD that was in the player (I know Herb Alpert isn't for everyone, but, jeez...)The contents of the glove box were scattered all around, but at least they didn't find the key to my wheel locks! (After all that work, I wouldn't want to lose them in the first week...)What they did take though, was the ownership! The cops said this would be of no value, but a friend pointed out that with the ownership and a good sob story, someone might be able to get the code to cut a new key. Great! Now I need to change all the locks! Wonder how much that will cost? But wait: How about I spend the money on a pedal lock instead? That way, if they do cut a key, they still can't boost the car, and if they didn't, I'll be upping my security. Hmmm... think I'll split the difference and do both!It could have been a lot worse; I guess I should be happy it wasn't...I've heard it said that you really shouldn't leave the ownership in the car, especially if you are the only driver, and that's the way it will be for me from now on!

[msmyer]

Man, sorry to hear of the troubles. I seriously doubt we will have a good enough sob story to gain a new key! What is he going to show them his I.D. for proof at the dealership? Anyways, good luck! Keep us posted!

[millster]

Yikes! Sorry to hear about that Madbill! I hope everything turns out well in the end.

[MadBill]

I thought the same, but while I was posting, my wife mentioned it to a neighbour and her son, who is visiting from Toronto. He said that ownership theft is all the rage in the big cities now; they DO use it for getting keys cut! Guess there must be some guillible parts/service guys out there. Anyway, that settles it: It's new keys and a pedal lock!

[KSNeptune]

Something to think about...Since the Vibe's glass hatch can be unlocked by the keyfob, it's possible that some theif(theives) may have a device to simply send a bargage of code in the known frequency range until the hatch unlocks. To know the freqeuncy, all one needs is a frequency scanner available at a good Radio Shack.So... If one detects a similar break-in, is it possible to have the keyfob/locks progammed with new codes using the well described posted in a few threads around here?KSNeptune

[MadBill]

Groan!! I never had to deal with this re my 17 year old Firefly (Metro)! In fact the locks were broken its last 7 or 8 years, and no one ever touched it.Anyway, I just got back from buying and installing a pedal lock. If they want it, they'll have to drive it with no brakes! (or clutch, depending on which pedal I lock -any comments?) (figured at $CAN 70, it was cheaper and better than plan B: hire a guy with a 30-06 and a night scope to keep an eye on it for me...)

[philndz]

i would say the brake pedal as you can drive a car w/o the clutch if you want to....BUT....since you need to depress the clutch in our cars in order to start the car then maybe that would be a better option...in other words...it beats me...i dunno?? hehe

[Chris]

Hey MadBill! Look on the bright side... I used to have a GTI and it got broken into at least once every few months. Every time it was $100 (deductable) out of my pocket not including the sundry items I lost. Looks like you got off easy!Do you have a CAA membership? I believe they will re key your locks for you for free or for a very low price particularly with the information you have. They may even do it if you get a membership now (that's not underhanded... it's a service they offer to members). I'm not 100% certain about this but it doesn't hurt to call them up!I'm glad you didn't loose anything of value (pore Herb ) but be happy they didn't have to break a lockor mess up the glass or paint!

[ragingfish]

Won't insurance cover to have the car rekeyed? After all, it was a break-in (unless they can prove otherwise).Be careful though. I read somewhere it is not uncommon for people to steal your registration and insurance cards, and then go to the state and get license plates or stuff under your name. They also might steal another vibe, drive recklessly, and present YOUR insurance and registration info if they're stopped.Sounds silly, but it in fact happens a lot more often than you think. That's why I always carry my insurance and registration in my wallet They can steal the car, but they can't forge documents or get stuff usng my info.Call your insurance company and your motor vehicle office and tell them if one or both documents were stolen, and they can often issue new documents with new ID numbers, so if the old ones are presented, they will list as stolen or invalid.Also, be sure to watch all your accounts. Credit cards, bank, etc. I also read once a thief stole insurance and reg info from a car, used that to backtrack and got someones SSN, and managed to actually gain access to their personal accounts.Scary, but true!

[Keely]

I haven't heard of pedal locks before - is this the kind of device everyone is talking about? MadBill, what exactly did you buy and where?

[yank dini]

nice to see your face again go here: http://www.unbrakeable.com/I had one of these but I gotta buy a new cause I left my old one in the old Vibe when they took it to the grave yardYOU CAR BASICALLY BECOME UNSTEALABLE!

[pmh013]

quote:YOU CAR BASICALLY BECOME UNSTEALABLE!I wouldn't go that far. Unfortunately, there's always a way around these devices. I have a steering wheel club http://www.theclub.com/default.asp which I like, but realize it's not going to deter someone who is determined. There are some really funny stories about theives installing steering wheel clubs on stolen cars on that website. "The Club, recommended by car theives!"Although the device is made of a super-strong steel which resists cutting, the locks are particularily vulnerable to either drilling (which is why you should install it so the lock faces the dash -- harder to get the drill in there) or liquid nitrogen (you pour it on & freeze the lock so that you can smash it with a hammer). This was shown on Law & Order a couple weeks back.Here, if you have a Club or similar device installed & somebody still manages to steal your car, your deductible is waived.

[yank dini]

the device I was refering to locks around your "brake pedal" in which you have to depressed to put the car in gear. it only locks around the break pedal and not the steering wheel as well like those old steering wheel locks before the club? therefore you cant cut the steering wheel to take it off because it doesn't touch it and the only way you can get it off is to cut the break pedal which is the strongest part in the interior not to mention you have to hang your legs out of the door to get to it. Trying to pick the lock is difficult as well because it has a bullet key design. I think crooks are smart enough not to cut the break pedal if they cant stop the car. My old Vibe was broken into twice and Im positive that if I didn't have the Auto-lock on it . It would have been stolen both times. Fortunately I only lost items in the car and not the whole thing

[MadBill]

Thanks for the sympathy and advice all.The CAA approach is a great idea Chris! My wife has a membership, so if she had parked the car... I know some insurance companies are too tight fisted/short sighted to pay for re-coding, you just have to wait until the follow up theft. Others are pro-active and realize it saves money in the long run.My device is called an Autolock, by Lawman Armor Corp, I got it from Canadian Tire and it locks either the brake or clutch pedal so that it cannot be depressed. I guess someone might manage to drive entirely without a clutch, but it's not easy, plus there's the starter interlock to deal with. For the brake, one could use the park brake, I suppose but that wouldn't be easy either. I think anything you do is a big help, but for sure it's easier to cut a steering wheel than a brake pedal. As they say, you don't have to make it theft proof, just harder to steal than the next car. (Like that old joke about the two guys who meet a bear in the woods, and as the one takes off, the other says: "What are you doing? You can't outrun a bear!" and the other yells over his shoulder: "I don't have to. I only have to outrun you!") PS: When I read the fine print, that deductible coverage is only in the US!

[ragingfish]

quote:I see the commercials, they are crazy. But they do work. IMHO, that all depends...as we all have come to realize, if they want the car, they WILL get the car...But it certainly must be an excellent deterrent to someone looking for a joyride or an easy boost...There's gonna be a story on my local news Monday regarding a new way to steal cars, that apparantly can get ANY car, includin police cruisers...not enough info to possibly fathom what they are hinting at, but I'll watch it and keep y'all posted!

[ragingfish]

As previously mentioned, yesterday and today they had a 2 part series on my local news about a new way to steal cars. Apparantly, anyone can walk into some car dealers, or even some key cutter stores, give your vin number, and walk out with keys to your car. Quite scary!I have the movie clips available online for you folks to check out: Gone In 60 Seconds, Part 1 (Broadband) Gone In 60 Seconds, Part 1 (Dial Up) Gone In 60 Seconds, Part 2 (Broadband) Gone In 60 Seconds, Part 2 (Dial Up)

[ragingfish]

Followup:Yep, as usual, I know my links are broken. I'm working to fix it. Will let y'all know when it's fixed.

[MadBill]

Hey, the link worked for me!Unbelievable! All it takes is one dim-bulb dealer who doesn't insist on proper i.d. and: Poof! (Not to mention a crooked employee who will do it for $20, no questions asked...)How about this though: shortly my new locks will arrive, and when they are installed, I'll have one of the few cars which can not have a key cut from the V.I.N., as the key codes on record will no longer be correct!Now how about this: For about one hour's labour per, you and a Vibe buddy can have a dealer or locksmith swap all your lock cylinders and keys between your two cars. Then if some lowlife cuts a set from the V.I.N., Ta Dah! They won't work!!

[ragingfish]

quote:Hey, the link worked for me!Sweet! quote:Unbelievable! All it takes is one dim-bulb dealer who doesn't insist on proper i.d. and: Poof! (Not to mention a crooked employee who will do it for $20, no questions asked...)How about this though: shortly my new locks will arrive, and when they are installed, I'll have one of the few cars which can not have a key cut from the V.I.N., as the key codes on record will no longer be correct!Now how about this: For about one hour's labour per, you and a Vibe buddy can have a dealer or locksmith swap all your lock cylinders and keys between your two cars. Then if some lowlife cuts a set from the V.I.N., Ta Dah! They won't work!! I know, I was blown away too. What drives me over the edge is NY state said it won't change without legislation, which means, it probably won't change. Thankfully, I have a new car inspection sticker, which doesn't hve th VIN on it, and won't have to be inspected until 2005...so until then, I'll just cover my VIN in the dashboard...But it makes me wonder why they don't move the vin somewhere else where it is less likely to be available to crooks? Maybe in the driver door frame or under the hood or something.

[Pablo1669]

I go to school in Flint Michigan, one of the worst car theft/break-in cities in the USA (recently ranked 11th). Before I got my vibe, I had a sunfire. someone decided to take a power drill to the side of my door and drill right thru the lock. Before the alarm woke someone up, they stole my cupholder filled with pennies, and my checkbook I recently used and left in my center console. Well, I never saw the pennies again, but a few weeks later, I got a mud soaked check book back in the mail that someone found on the side of the road. Maybe your theif won't do anything with your paperwork afterall. But good call on doing all the extra precautions to prevent further theft. Now I have an almost full book of mud covered checks still sitting at home. I guess thats what you get for leaving your car off campus for one night in Lovely Flint Michigan. Go Kettering (GMI)