Protecting Your Car from Being Stolen-Theft

[mysteriomr]

Hi Everyone,

Im new to the forum and a 1st time owner with Ford! I picked up my 2023 Hybrid last week and loving it so much! This will be our family car and I have 2 kids. Has anyone heard of any issues with break-ins with Mavericks or stolen Mavericks since its a pretty hot car in the United States and Canada. Today, I decided to order on Amazon a few items. I got a RFID Key Fob Protector, RF Signal Blocking Case-Protection for Car Key Fob. Also, I ordered a steering wheel lock anti-theft called "Stoplock".

Im originally from Toronto, Ontario-Canada area and now living in Ottawa. Just alone in the Toronto and surrounding area, there has been 27,000 stolen cars in 2023. Canada has now been known to be a donor country for stolen cars. The cars get stolen and the thief's take the cars to Montreal port and ship it overseas (Africa, Dubai, etc).

Just curious, if anybody doing any additional protection on their Mavericks? If so, any additional tips for the rest of us? Thanks!

-Ric

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[hdave]

I'm from Toronto and watched the same CBC piece you got your info from.
This is a great question, I'm also looking for theft prevention techniques.

 

[paneubert]

How are they stealing them? I can tell you from experience with getting new keys cut that even if you have a key that turns in the ignition, it won't start the engine if the code doesn't match what is stored in the computer.

They hacking the software or cloning keys?

 

[blizbiggy]

You could look into installing a kill switch.

 

[Jman79]

Lookup the odds of having a modern car stolen even if it's coveted (likely not what they want overseas though, their demand != our demand). I'm guessing that the odds are low with immobilizers, cameras, etc and tracking built into the newer cars. I'd guess is smart thieves con/steal your keys or carjack you. Nothing you find on Amazon is stopping that.

Your best piece of mind maybe on good car insurance and replacement program. Both covering theft and accidents, and taking into consideration market $$$ issues with it's replacement.

 

[fossil]

takes about a minute

 

[hdave]

For cars without physical keys they plug into the OBD port and do a key re-program.
Other ways are they use some sort of signal boosting transmitter thing to detect your key from inside the house.
they also have GPS signal interrupters apparently.

I'm not sure what they do for cars with physical keys, but I hope they are a bit tougher.

 

[RonFLA]

Best prevention is a garage.

 

[phillipl8]

I saw on a news show that to defeat the steering wheel lock, they just cut the steering wheel. Took about 30 seconds maybe.

 

[Jaackil]

Hey Ric
Congrats on your new Mav. I wish you many miles of trouble free enjoyment driving it
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but if a thief wants your car it’s gone.
There are two types of car thieves. The first is a joy rider. Someone who gets their kicks out of stealing cars and driving them. For fun or to commit other crimes. If they have any skill at all they will bypass what you have bought and cause a considerable amount of damage doing it. The second kind of thief is a professional. I doubt they want to steal a Mav for the trouble of sending it to Dubai. Not sure there is a whole lot of demand for gas efficient vehicles over there. More likely it will be a professional chopper who will steal it take it apart and sell the parts which are in high demand right now in the US and Canada. My guess is parted out a Mav is worth 2 to 3 times its book value. Pro’s just need to open your door get It into neutral and put it on a flat bed. They are not bothering to “hotwire” it.

 

[hdave]

I don't think many stolen cars go to Dubai, I think they are mostly going to west Africa.

Here's a list of top 10 stolen vehicles in Canada in 2022.

1. 2016-2021 Honda CR-V
2. 2016-2021 Lexus RX Series
3. 2015-2020 Ford F-150 Series
4. 2016-2021 Honda Civic
5. 2013-2019 Toyota Highlander
6. 2011-2018 RAM 1500 Series
7. 1999-2006 Chevrolet/GMC Silverado/Sierra 1500
8. 2018-2021 Honda Accord
9. 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee
10. 2013-2018 Toyota RAV4

 

[mysteriomr]

I'm from Toronto and watched the same CBC piece you got your info from.
This is a great question, I'm also looking for theft prevention techniques.

Exactly, you saw the same one as I did!! I researched a few steering wheel locks. Its not going to stop a thief but it will certainly deter them or slow them down. These 2 are popular in the UK and made quite solid. I ordered the Stoplock Steering wheel lock and feel this is the best bang for your buck. The other is Disklok which is good but I saw in one of the YT reviews (depending on the size of your car) the steering wheel was still able to be turned. Also this one is a lot more expensive than the Stoplock.

 

[mysteriomr]

You could look into installing a kill switch.

Thats a great idea with the kill switch! Theres a few, the button one and magnetic sensor in order for the car to start. Thanks, I’ll be looking into it. Its this constant cat and mouse game we are playing with these thieves!!

 

[mysteriomr]

Lookup the odds of having a modern car stolen even if it's coveted (likely not what they want overseas though, their demand != our demand). I'm guessing that the odds are low with immobilizers, cameras, etc and tracking built into the newer cars. I'd guess is smart thieves con/steal your keys or carjack you. Nothing you find on Amazon is stopping that.

Your best piece of mind maybe on good car insurance and replacement program. Both covering theft and accidents, and taking into consideration market $$$ issues with it's replacement.

Very true! Hopefully, none of us gets robbed!! Being a Maverick owner we just gotta be more alert, be aware with our surroundings and use common sense wherever we go as well.

 

[mysteriomr]

I saw on a news show that to defeat the steering wheel lock, they just cut the steering wheel. Took about 30 seconds maybe.

Check out these 2 steering wheel locks. I ordered the Stoplock Steering wheel lock from Amazon and watched few videos. One of the guys on YT took him like 10-15 mins eventually to cut through. The other is Disklok completely goes around your steering wheel.

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