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wolfwingsThey just plain don't work, and give insurance companies a reason to deny your claim if you get your car swiped.
News flash: Honda's not the only company that stuffs handbrake-and-ignition codes into their cars. Just about all newer cars have these sorts of funky 'codes' to disable or enable various features such as stability control, or in this case, a VIN-specific code to bypass the built-in key-ID system. One that I'm willing to bet isn't highly unique and that someone with some brains could reverse-engineer or find a pattern in pretty easilly.
But this is all another reason why I look at car security as pointless once someone is inside your vehicle. You might as well just remove the ignition key entirely and replace it with a simple kill switch under the dash and a push-button wired to the starter. Nothing you can do will deter a criminal once they're inside your car.
News flash: Honda's not the only company that stuffs handbrake-and-ignition codes into their cars. Just about all newer cars have these sorts of funky 'codes' to disable or enable various features such as stability control, or in this case, a VIN-specific code to bypass the built-in key-ID system. One that I'm willing to bet isn't highly unique and that someone with some brains could reverse-engineer or find a pattern in pretty easilly.
But this is all another reason why I look at car security as pointless once someone is inside your vehicle. You might as well just remove the ignition key entirely and replace it with a simple kill switch under the dash and a push-button wired to the starter. Nothing you can do will deter a criminal once they're inside your car.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-07-31 06:51 pm (UTC)I've long held the belief that the more advanced features there are on a car, the more difficulty they're going to give you. :) Maybe it's because I'm technologically inept, but honestly, if you need to hear what I'm talking about, try taking a car with Daytime Running Lights or autoheadlights to a drive-in movie. >_<
I'd come to the same conclusion you did - no security feature is going to stop someone from swiping your car - but I didn't realize it could get you screwed by your insurance. Then again, the cut-rate insurance companies mentioned in the article will probably try to fuck you over any way they can. -_-
Frankly, I'm happy with my $15,000 no-frills Toyota...though the Vehicle Stability Control scared the crap out of me the first time it kicked on. o_0 Like I said...the more features, the more problems. :)