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Stealing RFID chip-equippped cars

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Scott_R, Jul 31, 2006.

  1. Scott_R

    Scott_R Member

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
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    Four
    Not Prius-specific, but Wired has an interesting article about RFID-equipped cars being stolen, and the trouble owners are given by insurance companies who doubt that the "unstealable" cars were actually stolen.

    Interesting point: that some transponder-equipped cars came with a secret "cheat" code designed to allow people who lose their keys to drive back to the shop. Is the Prius so equipped?
     
    #1 Scott_R, Jul 31, 2006
  2. FBear

    FBear Senior Member

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    Four
    I wonder where the backdoor is on a Prius. There must be one, not everyone remembers to leave their FOB when they drop it off for service.
     
    #2 FBear, Jul 31, 2006
  3. tmorrowus

    tmorrowus Member

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    I would never have guessed the 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid would have such a backdoor... it does make me wonder whether the Prius has one. According to the article, with the Civic there is a way you can bypass the transponder and start the car by doing a certain sequence of emergency brake actions. To get the sequence that works for your car you would have to give the VIN to a dealer (or someone who has access to dealer computer systems).

    I would guess (hope) that Toyota wouldn't have left such a backdoor in, since with the Prius you don't even need a mechanical key to get in. So having such a backdoor would leave the Prius more exposed than the Civic.
     
    #3 tmorrowus, Jul 31, 2006
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