No need to store fobs in a metal box, just put the fobs in battery saver mode, hold down lock button and hit unlock twice, LED will blink 4 times indicating battery saving mode, hit a button to wake it up.
Anti Theft Idea
My 2020 RAV4 Hybrid XLE was stolen. I now have a 2021 (same model).
I'm taking extra anti-theft precautions now. All the usual stuff, including storing my key fobs in a metal box that blocks their signals. But I have an idea I haven't seen anywhere ... so I would appreciate some feedback.
I have the old key fobs from my stolen RAV4, which (obviously) don't work on my replacement vehicle.
If I leave one of the old fobs in the back of the new vehicle, could that mess with thieves?
In theory, if anyone tries to steal my latest RAV4 by intercepting a key fob signal, they will get an unusable code.
It might be a useful line of defense. Or at least, for thieves, a little frustrating.
Does this make sense?
I know if they really want the car, they will find a way. I'm just trying to make the job harder.
Thanks in advance.
I'm taking extra anti-theft precautions now. All the usual stuff, including storing my key fobs in a metal box that blocks their signals. But I have an idea I haven't seen anywhere ... so I would appreciate some feedback.
I have the old key fobs from my stolen RAV4, which (obviously) don't work on my replacement vehicle.
If I leave one of the old fobs in the back of the new vehicle, could that mess with thieves?
In theory, if anyone tries to steal my latest RAV4 by intercepting a key fob signal, they will get an unusable code.
It might be a useful line of defense. Or at least, for thieves, a little frustrating.
Does this make sense?
I know if they really want the car, they will find a way. I'm just trying to make the job harder.
Thanks in advance.
1 - 20 of 131 Posts
NYC to distribute Apple AirTags to fight rising car thefts
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that the city is planning to give away 500 Apple AirTags to prevent rising car thefts.
abcnews.go.com
It's good to know. But with more than one driver, there's no guarantee everyone will remember to shut down the fob.No need to store fobs in a metal box, just put the fobs in battery saver mode, hold down lock button and hit unlock twice, LED will blink 4 times indicating battery saving mode, hit a button to wake it up.
So I'm still curious about the "fake fob" idea. My neighbors think it's hilarious. But might it help?
have you seen this immobilizer?
I would think a hidden switch that breaks the start/stop circuit would be effective and easy to do.
If you are going to leave the old key in the vehicle make sure it's out of sight, otherwise some dumbass will break the window to get hold of the keys. Otherwise great idea.
My Polaris SlingShot Roadster came from the factory with the best theft deterrent on the market. A five speed stick shift. 
Nothing can keep someone from taking a car as this link shows: Toyota-4Runner.orgI would think a hidden switch that breaks the start/stop circuit would be effective and easy to do.
There is also this:
Users can actually start the car doing something with the left side headlight. Don't know much details but its pretty common it seems.
www.thetruthaboutcars.com
Users can actually start the car doing something with the left side headlight. Don't know much details but its pretty common it seems.
Thieves Steal Toyota RAV4 by Hacking Into Its Headlights
It seems car thieves develop a new and annoying method for making off with people’s vehicles every week. The TikTok-inspired thefts have gotten so bad that some insurance companies won’t touch particular Hyundai and Kia models. We also learned of a new key fob method that could activate keys...
www.thetruthaboutcars.com
First thing first, put a small piece of black paper on your dash to block your vin number on the lower portion of your windshield.
Just this makes entering the vehicle much harder for them.
Secondly park in the safest spot possible, garage if you have one. or behind another less desirable vehicle.
Most importantly don't stress over things that you have zero control over. All it will do is lead to premature illness.
If pros want your car its gone no matter what you do or where you store the keys.
Cars get stolen around here daily by tow trucks and no one is the wiser, they just think its being towed for whatever reason and don't give it a second thought.
Just this makes entering the vehicle much harder for them.
Secondly park in the safest spot possible, garage if you have one. or behind another less desirable vehicle.
Most importantly don't stress over things that you have zero control over. All it will do is lead to premature illness.
If pros want your car its gone no matter what you do or where you store the keys.
Cars get stolen around here daily by tow trucks and no one is the wiser, they just think its being towed for whatever reason and don't give it a second thought.
Unfortunately, after all these years NO ONE on this or other forums has been able to find a way to put a kill switch into the circuits for the starter motor, in tank fuel pump or anything else that will disable a 5th generation RAV4 without causing DTCs and MID warnings.I would think a hidden switch that breaks the start/stop circuit would be effective and easy to do.
A high current relay breaking the wire to the starter would be the most direct approach then have a simple low current switch to control the new "starter relay". Flip the hidden switch and press the start/stop button. Will only work on teh gas versions since the hybrids don't have a starter motor.Unfortunately, after all these years NO ONE on this or other forums has been able to find a way to put a kill switch into the circuits for the starter motor, in tank fuel pump or anything else that will disable a 5th generation RAV4 without causing DTCs and MID warnings.
Good advice.First thing first, put a small piece of black paper on your dash to block your vin number on the lower portion of your windshield.
Just this makes entering the vehicle much harder for them.
Secondly park in the safest spot possible, garage if you have one. or behind another less desirable vehicle.
Most importantly don't stress over things that you have zero control over. All it will do is lead to premature illness.
If pros want your car its gone no matter what you do or where you store the keys.
Cars get stolen around here daily by tow trucks and no one is the wiser, they just think its being towed for whatever reason and don't give it a second thought.
I will do the black paper.
I now also put "The Club" on the steering wheel.
I park in fairly secure area.
My RAV4 was stolen while I was visiting family.
You make a lot of sense.First thing first, put a small piece of black paper on your dash to block your vin number on the lower portion of your windshield.
Just this makes entering the vehicle much harder for them.
Secondly park in the safest spot possible, garage if you have one. or behind another less desirable vehicle.
Most importantly don't stress over things that you have zero control over. All it will do is lead to premature illness.
If pros want your car its gone no matter what you do or where you store the keys.
Cars get stolen around here daily by tow trucks and no one is the wiser, they just think its being towed for whatever reason and don't give it a second thought.
I will do what I can and not stress about it.
The useless key fob idea has even led to a few chuckles.
A high-profile mechanic up here (Canada) has warned about the risks of altering electrical circuits. There can be unintended consequences, apparently. Also warranty problems, he says.A high current relay breaking the wire to the starter would be the most direct approach then have a simple low current switch to control the new "starter relay". Flip the hidden switch and press the start/stop button. Will only work on teh gas versions since the hybrids don't have a starter motor.
Install Tag tracker (Protégez votre véhicule | Tag Tracking | Montréal, Québec ) if you are in Ontario/Quebec. It's a good thief repellent.
Agreed.If you are going to leave the old key in the vehicle make sure it's out of sight, otherwise some dumbass will break the window to get hold of the keys. Otherwise great idea.
Interesting. I have spotted a news story that some insurance companies in Canada will pay for the installation for some models (the ones that are often stolen, of course). I'm going to look into this.Install Tag tracker (Protégez votre véhicule | Tag Tracking | Montréal, Québec ) if you are in Ontario/Quebec. It's a good thief repellent.
The problem is that there are so many interconnected circuits and vehicle functions that a kill switch of any kind breaking the wire to the starter (even with the RAV turned off) may cause other unintended electrical faults and set DTCs and warnings on start up that would be unrelated to the starter. If you look at the fuse function diagrams the same engine compartment fuses control multiple, sometimes unrelated things. Indeed there are several fuses for even the SAME apparent vehicle functions. All the 5th gen RAV wiring diagrams are like a confusing, tangled ball of string.A high current relay breaking the wire to the starter would be the most direct approach then have a simple low current switch to control the new "starter relay". Flip the hidden switch and press the start/stop button. Will only work on teh gas versions since the hybrids don't have a starter motor.
I say again: NO ONE to my knowledge has SUCCESSFULLY installed any kind of kill switch in a 5th generation RAV4 or 8th generation Camry without DTCs and MID warnings. I here CHALLENGE any master mechanics and braniacs to do it and post a YouTube video or a detailed tutorial with photos showing which wire was spliced and what kill switch was used AND that there were NO codes set.
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