Is a Chipped Key enough to prevent theft or do I need a Starter Kill?

[rob4092xx]

I travel to Mexico a lot where cars are stolen all the time.

I have the factory alarm in my 2010 Expedition.

I understand the 2010 Expedition comes with a chipped ket that is suppossed to stop it from being able to be started even if the bad guys has a scanner and can get the codes from my remote control.

Can someone bypass this alarm and start my vehicle without the transponder key?

Is there anyway to bypass the chip key?

What about starter kills. Is this necessary or is my chipped key all I need?

Thanks!

 

[corlon]

i know there is a obd tool they can use, but i think it takes 20-25 minutes to read the vehicle. you can add a starter kill, but they are usually more of a hassle for you the owner. you can put every kind of device on your vehicle, but if they want it they will take it. they'll tow it, put it on a flatbed, go under the hood and bypass all your devices, etc. just insure it and hope for the best.

 

[ELVATO]

Pretty much. If they want it, all they have to do is tow it, and it's gone.

I'd imagine you travel to the northern part of Mexico? I figure American cars are a bit more common there than, say, the central part of Mexico. I know when I go to the central part, I don't really see too many Expeditions, or "big" cars/SUVs. I could see an Expedition (especially a newer one like a 2010) being a decent target, or worse, making ppl think you have mad money and making you a target. Stay safe

We took my parent's 250 diesel down there and it wasn't messed with, even though I hear they are pretty easy to steal because of the lack of a coded key. Granted, didn't take it to the big cities, opting more for taxis to travel around.

 

[rob4092xx]

Yes....northern Mexico. We have been told there is a crew that can read your door opening code and then the chip key and drive away.

No flatbeds as they are too obvious in this town.

 

[ELVATO]

Not sure how common they are in the area you are going to be, but there were lots where you could park your car for a fee (like 5-10 pesos) and they would watch over them. We'd sometimes leave the truck there, and just walk around.

In the end, though, I'd hope it won't be a problem.

I do know they have starter kills in the form of a key. It's a round thing with 16 pins, or something like that. According to them, they have yet to get a complaint of someone stealing a car with those. I forget the name, though. I'll try to find it later.

In the end, though, just do the basic things of not leaving anything fancy or electronic visible. Get insurance, unless your current provider extends international coverage? If you're parking overnight somewhere, try to make it a garage or other enclosed area. You know, just the basic stuff.

Also, enjoy yourself over there.

 

[Racenut]

Living only 30 min. from Palomas, Mexico I definatley know what you are talking about regarding car theft and your worries. The responses above are about the best advice to fallow, but if you are still worried check out this site :

http://www.biotekelpaso.com/unit.html

http://www.biotekelpaso.com/pdfs/CarStarter_FAQ.pdf

They are now installing these in El Paso, Tx and even though it is pricey ( $700 ) and not sure how much installation is, it seems like a good product. I have talked to a couple of people who have them and they said that they don't worry about not coming out to their parked vehicle anymore.

It is about the most secure anti theft that you can get since there are no " codes " to read, only the finger prints that you program ( which have to be alive - this system senses heat and blood pressure along with the print ) to it can start the vehicle and you have to use your own finger print and passcode to program any others.

 

[Tigster]

Just put a valve in the gas line, and the turn off under the drivers seat. We did this before with a truck we had. Worked great, and when we tried driving it we got about 1/8 mile before it ran out of gas.