VIN Numbers and Car thieves

[Dr. Snubnose]

VIN numbers

As sad as it is this has already happened, thought you might like to know about this.
It seems that car thieves have found another way to steal your car or truck without any
effort at all. The car thieves peer through the windshield of your car or truck, write down
the VIN number from the label on the dash, go to the local car dealership and request a duplicate key based on the VIN number.
The car dealer's parts dept will make a duplicate key from the VIN number and collect
payment from the thief who will return to your car. He doesn't have to break in, do any
damage to the vehicle, or draw attention to himself. All he has to do is to walk up to your
car, insert the key and off he goes to a local chop shop with your vehicle. You don't believe
it? It is that easy. To avoid this from happening to you, simply put some tape (electrical
tape, duct tape or medical tape) across the VIN label located on the dash board. By law,
you cannot remove the VIN number, but you can cover it so it can't be viewed through the windshield by a car thief. .....Doc :D

[vampyrewolf]

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/vin.asp

[mikewww]

Locally, the VIN is printed on your licence disc, which MUST be visible through the windscreen. Bu the dealers insist on seeing the licence papers and your identity document before re-issuing keys.

[The Deacon]

To avoid this from happening to you, simply put some tape (electrical tape, duct tape or medical tape) across the VIN label located on the dash board. By law, you cannot remove the VIN number, but you can cover it so it can't be viewed through the windshield by a car thief. .....Doc :D

And, in addition to what VW pointed out, the problem with that "solution" Doc, is that at least here in New York, your VIN number is printed right on the registration sticker that you ARE required to display on your windshield and NOT allowed to deface.

[Dr. Snubnose]

And, in addition to what VW pointed out, the problem with that "solution" Doc, is that at least here in New York, your VIN number is printed right on the registration sticker that you ARE required to display on your windshield and NOT allowed to deface.

Dayum..seems I know all the urban legends....Deacon true with the NY Vin #'s...Doc :D

[skcusloa]

The problem with that, is that with most new cars, the key must be programmed. Even on 5 year old Nissan Sentras you have to program the key. If you stick a key in that is not programmed, the engine will crank, but no fuel will get to it, and the car will go into lock mode. With the older cars you can use 1 code to program the key if you have the anti theft card for your diag computer. On the new ones you have to either read the code off of the ECU or have the diag computer give you a code to have decoded, because looking for the number on the ECU is a pain some times. This is how Nissan does it. I have a feeling that most new cars have programmed keys no matter how cheap they are.

I've never seen anyone request a new key and have their papers requested, but they never request them.

Edit: also there is no real wait for keys to be cut. The parts guy just grabs a blank, walks to the key cutter, types the vin in, and BAM. The key is made.

I also read some of snopes and it did mention key programming.

[hrdwrguy]

I have had to get new keys from a dealer once when a coworker lost the last one to his car. The dealer wanted to see the title or registration and an id that matched the name on it before they made the new ones. The keys weren't the new RFID ones fortunately, copies of those can run into the hundreds of dollars :eek: I like my old one which I can duplicate myself thank you.

[skcusloa]

A nissan coded key is 65 bucks+ and then we usually charge an hour (80 bucks) to program them. It only takes 15 mins, including finding the diag computer, finding the code, decoding it, and programming. But, YOU GET A FREE CAR WASH! lol...

What really annoys me is even with this security, people buy alarms that go off if you get within 15 feet of the car. A lot of times they'll totally disable the factory security buy having a coded key stuck inside their steering column! There is NO way a car thief could hot wire a newer nissan without having at least a few hours. I understand the annoying alarm is to keep your stereo from getting stolen, but they're very annoying.

[Mariner]

I had an immobilizer system installed in my Lincoln (in addition to the factory alarm system) when I bought the car. This was arranged by the dealer before I took delivery, and cost me several hundred dollars. They may be able to get in, but they won't be going anywhere :D .