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Prevent theft?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by Terrell, Aug 7, 2022.

  1. Terrell

    Terrell Old-Timer

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    A few days ago, a friend of mine pulled into her driveway to unload groceries, got out of her car, two guys walked up and demanded her keys. At first, she refused, but when they pulled out a gun, she gave them her keys, and her car was stolen.

    Is there any system which would allow you to hand over your key fob, the thieves drive off with your car, then 3-5 minutes later you push a button on your phone and the car is disabled?

    I think On-Star has something like that for certain cars. But is there something we might install on our Prii?

    It's almost impossible to buy a new or used car today, and when you find one, they are extra expensive.

    Thoughts?
     
    BransonDean likes this.
  2. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Turn off the smart key entry so the bad guys won’t know to hold the fob right in front of the start stop button. Give them the key and run away, they’ll be sitting there wondering why car ain’t starting.
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is lo jack still a thing?
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    maybe you can't stop the car, but the cops can track it

    click here > /
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Hit the panic button and run?
     
  6. Terrell

    Terrell Old-Timer

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    I know how to do that by taking the battery out, but then I can't use the fob to unlock the car. How do you turn off the entry? With the hard key? (That's what I do when I'm letting the car run in READY Mode because I'm using the inverter.)
     
  7. prius16

    prius16 Active Member

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    Fwiw, many/most cars that are financed, have a GPS tracker, and/or disable device.
    Any used car that was financed, is pretty much guaranteed to have one.

    There are a number of options.
    Imho, any option that isn't a POS, requires a monthly fee.

    Servers, app maintenance, app development, costs real-life money.
    Just search for: Toyota App complaints.
    Good software engineers are neither cheap, nor easy to find. Server cost is not free.
    Google also requires(may have changed), that apps be updated every x-months/years. That is to force apps to have the more recent versions of the Android app code, to greatly reduce the chance of compatibility issues/hidden-viruses/etc.

    Go with LoJack, TrackmateGPS (NY based), or get some GPS tracker-only that isn't from a China-based company.
    Just my suggestions. :)
    Code:
    https://trackmategps.com/
    https://trackmategps.com/profile/OurProducts
    
    Fwiw, the GPS trackers that do not have external GPS and 4G antennas, are very dependent on where they are placed in the car. Typically, they are placed under the dash, which then means there is a lot of metal around the device. Radio Frequencies do not go through metal.




    Fwiw, for people that feel comfortable putting 3rd rate China-based apps on their phones
    Check out:
    SinoTrack 4G ST-901L
    Selling some low-cost, low margin, no monthly fee, "low" volume GPS tracker, does not allow for the required revenue to update the application, pay for the monthly fees for the servers, and so on.
    Have fun being tracked by China.
    Also, if people want, they can just send me all of your money now, instead of waiting for a 3rd-rate China-based app to be hacked on their phone.
     
    #7 prius16, Aug 7, 2022
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2022
  8. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    o_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_O
     
  9. Terrell

    Terrell Old-Timer

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    On my wife's car, we have a Verizon HUM installed, and the car can be tracked if stolen. The downside is that it works through the OBD port. All someone has to do is unplug it. Probably similar with LoJack?

    On my Prius, I have an Optimus GV75 tracker hardwired into the car in a non-obvious location. It notifies me if the car is moved and where the car is, so if stolen, it can be tracked.

    I'd love to have something where thieves couldn't start the car, or couldn't get very far.
     
  10. Terrell

    Terrell Old-Timer

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    I don't wish to try to outrun bullets. I'd rather just hand over my key fob and let them go. But it would be wonderful if after a few blocks, the car stops running. By then I could be on the phone with the cops.
     
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  11. Terrell

    Terrell Old-Timer

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    I've never financed any car, so I know my car does not have tracker, except what I've installed in it.

    Yes, I don't mind paying a small monthly fee (like $15) to be able to track my car.
     
  12. prius16

    prius16 Active Member

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    TrackmateGPS has a number of options.
    The $115 annually plan is good enough for most people.
    Depending where people live, they may want to go with the T11 unit, The T11 unit has external antennas.

    If you have the Optimus GV75 tracker, then you should already have a good idea of the cell phone signals/reception in your area. Not everyone lives in areas with strong cell phone signals.

    Fwiw, for a Hybrid (non Plug-in/Prime), putting a relay inline with the power for the fuel pump, is good enough for a disable.

    I also finished updating my original reply.
    Hopefully, it's better organized, and easier to follow.

    Good Luck!
     
    #12 prius16, Aug 7, 2022
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2022
  13. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Running away to cover, especially after throwing some distracting object into their face, is a better strategy than most people realize. Especially considering how often they shoot fully cooperative victims anyway. Even if one elects to cooperate and give them the keys, running away is still advisable. Most people's shot placement accuracy under these stresses is very poor, so even a little bit of added distance greatly reduces the hit percentage.
    One can turn off the SKS (Smart Key System) without completely turning off the fob. The buttons will still lock and unlock the door, but the proximity unlock and engine startup won't work. Engine start then requires holding the fob to the start button before pressing the start button.

    Turning off SKS from the dash display is easy on 2012 and later, but that same easy path isn't built into your 2010-II. I'd have to search the OM for instructions for that model year.
     
  14. prius16

    prius16 Active Member

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    I paid by a BOA Cashier's Check.
     
  15. Terrell

    Terrell Old-Timer

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    I looked at LoJack. It's expensive to install, expensive to maintain, and only covers certain states and counties. WI is not one of them. LoJack has an extra service called "Early Warning." The Optimus Tracker I installed warns me immediately if my car is moved at all, by sending an email and a text message. It has an internal Li-Polimar 700 mAh battery, so if it is found and disconnected, it will also alert me. It tells me if the battery is low, if the GPS signal has been lost (like underground in a large building), if there's been movement, and if it's been disconnected. It shows me on a map where my car is, turn by turn where it's been, time, how fast it's going, signal strength, battery strength, where it's parked, altitude, and I can send a command to it to send the car's current position, go into power save when parked, or use normal power. It will show me on a map how to get to my car if needed. It updates every 30 seconds as well as at corners (turns). It covers the whole USA. It's waterproof. Yes, there is a monthly subscription: $11/mo if you pay by the year. These things are made for large fleets of trucks or other vehicles, as well as for cars. I have been very happy with it.

    Still, it would be nice to be able to disable the car if stolen...
     
  16. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    Just put an apple airtag in the glove if you want the car tracked. $25.

    I'm sure there are systems that do what you want but you have to ask yourself what happens when it is activated. Here are some hypotheticals.

    1. The vehicle stops a few blocks from you, the thieves come back to ask you why.
    2. The vehicle stalls in the middle of the hwy and is hit by traffic from behind.
    3. The vehicle is recovered after the thieves take a joyride in it, red lining the engine and crashing into things. I wouldn't want the car back. Just report it stolen and I'll go get another car. That's why I have no interest in Lojack for a Prius, maybe for a Ford GT or other exotic.
    4. Your phone is in the purse or man purse.

    In my opinion, the car is unimportant. I'd want to know where my wife is and if she is safe. The car will be replaced by insurance whether I have this security system or not. Good luck, OP.
     
  17. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Airtags have significantly less coverage than cellular systems, especially in non-urban areas.
    1. If the thieves came back, why would you still be there to be found, unless otherwise protected or accompanied?
    2. Their injuries received during their crimes are not my concern.
    3. That is what insurance is for.
    4. The phone is on my person every time I get out of the car. If it is left behind in the car, it is quite useless for summoning assistance if I somehow get locked out or otherwise lose access to the car.
     
  18. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    1. pick a direction to run
    2. throw the keys the opposite direction
    3. hope they really did want your car


    I think you've got that exactly backwards. An exotic will be easily and thoughtlessly trashed. Something like a prius? it's got 30 computers to prevent anyone from ever hitting redline. Much harder to leave lasting damage. Much simpler interior materials, cheaper to fix.
     
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  19. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    There are limitations to all remote access systems, gps and airtags.

    1. I may still be there when the thieves come back because I am at the scene calling police to report the crime. I might go somewhere else, I might stay.

    2. It is a concern to the people traveling on that road. I don't want innocent people to be injured.

    3. Agreed, there is already insurance.

    4. The phone is also on my person until the thief asks for it along with my keys. But you made my point about a phone system that disables the car requires the phone be with you.

    1. The direction I will be running to is the safest place I can think of which is to the nearest store to report the crime and be among people.
    2. The OP posed a situation that the thieves obtains the keys.
    3. Hope?
    4. I didn't realize you couldn't redline a Prius. I didn't realize it was harder to leave lasting damage to a Prius on a stolen joyride. I have a hard time believing either of these things but if it is true, then I got that backwards. Need Lojack on a Prius more than on an exotic. :whistle:
     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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