SimonJinx

Heard on the news yesterday and read an article today - http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?sec...cal&id=8664126

Authorities say a car theft ring ''stalked'' New York City residents who drove Lexus SUVs and other mint-condition luxury vehicles so it could steal the cars and fill orders from clients.

Then they are explaining how they were able to steal - "A locksmith and an employee at an Orlando, Fla., dealership provided special codes that allowed the thieves to steal the vehicles. "

Does anybody know what codes they are talking about? And how RX350 can be opened and engine started just by using some code?

nine49

I don't think RX can be opened and started by just using some code. I believe the code is for the car key, which can be duplicated by a competent locksmith with proper equipment using the code.

SimonJinx

The key is enough to open a car, but it wont start the engine until car's computer recognizes the chip in the fob. Is there some master fob that can start any car?

Quatro40

Yes to all, if they are able to have the code, which is basically a set of numbers in a special radio frequency they can dupicate them in a transmitter, no need for key fob, is a rolling code transmitter, so time to get the CLUB (steering wheel lock bar) again. :-)

XRUNNER1

Great! Orlando's where I traded

kitlz

Sure glad I recently had the LoJack with Early Warning recently inspected. While my RX never makes it across the Hudson I'd rather be safe than sorry. Too close for comfort.

Paul B

My dealer installs Lo Jack on all his cars in the lot from the delivery truck. So he's protected in case cars are stolen from his lot. Then he turns around and sells it with the Lo Jack installed to the new car owner. Not only does he get an after market sale item profit but he gets free protection while the car is in his lot.

Pretty smart thinking on his part. Not sure what he would do if the new owner refused to pay for it.

DunWkg

While discussing security, is laser etched glass pretty common or just something the local dealer does routinely?

Marqevans

Doesn't Lexus enform track your car?

nine49

My dealer did the samething, having installed Lo Jack on my Infiniti I purchsed last year, to protect themselves while cars sat on the lot and tried to sell it me. I politely refused to pay for it and asked to be taken off. They left the Lo Jack installed in the car, but did not activate it.

kitlz

Only dealers that are trying to make a quick buck around here. They charge twice as much as AAA.

MEP7557

I look at the glass half full, if they steal it I get a 2013 RX.

LexRexBlue

Since they caught those involved in the ring hopefully our RXs are safe. Guess I was fortunate that mine was still there the past few trips. You really can't stop driving a car in fear. I assume Lexus SOS/Enform can track the cars.

InRBigness

We dont have Enform here in Canada, but using my SmartStart I am able to get a gps reading on the car as well as the speed it is going. When my friends Envoy was stolen the first thing they do is mangle the Onstar so it wont work and the vehicle could not be traced. As you can not get to the system in my car without a lot of work, provided you even know its there, I should be okay.

That being said as MEP7557 said, I would get a brand new one if someone did steal it. You cant live like a victim and it is only still just a car.

Sevn86

Glad it's not happening close to Texas, but it is scary. I don't leave mine out in the driveway because I'm scared someone's going to jack my chrome rims. I live in a pretty good area but that's where thieves like to strike.