Cover your VIN???
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I went to the dealership just last week and purchased a spare key. The only thing the parts guy asked me was if I wanted just a blank key or if I wanted him to cut it for me. He charged $45.00 for the key and the double cut.
There's no law in California anyway that says that your VIN has to be in plain view...
There's no law in California anyway that says that your VIN has to be in plain view...
Actually, while some states may not specifcially mandate the clear presentation of the VIN on the dashboard of a vehicle operated upon a public roadway, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard to reduce the number of motor vehicle thefts. The act was meant to assist law enforcement authorities in tracing and recovering parts from stolen motor vehicles.
This took effect in the early '80s as I recall. I believe it can be found in Part 565. Prior to that standard, the VIN could be located on any number of locations of a vehicle. This standarized the manufacturing requirements.
(refer to 18 US Code 511, 512, 553 and 2321 for VIN violations under federal statute).
Last edited by hotwheels57; Sep 6, 2006 at 07:28 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 87,048
Likes: 25
From: "when lightning strikes twice, the funerals insane, the funerals insane"
St Jude Donor '14-'15
Originally Posted by madeouttaglass
True, but why make it any easier for the lesser thieves? If mine gets stolen I'd like a pro to take it. I would not want a beaten car returned.
Last edited by repo; Sep 6, 2006 at 08:33 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 87,048
Likes: 25
From: "when lightning strikes twice, the funerals insane, the funerals insane"
St Jude Donor '14-'15
Originally Posted by Merlin02
I went to the dealership just last week and purchased a spare key. The only thing the parts guy asked me was if I wanted just a blank key or if I wanted him to cut it for me. He charged $45.00 for the key and the double cut.
.
.
Spare as in "copied yours" or cut from a code? Big difference.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 9
From: Montreal ** Enjoy the ride !!
You can't get a key made with just a VIN the dealer will ask for registration as proof of ownership.. It's not that easy, If it was, cars would be stolen every second,,,, If someone wants your car they will take no matter what.
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Cicero IN
My VIN is etched in side windows, and since I purchased mine used I'm not sure if this came from the factory this way or not (I have heard of others like mine). I just hope there aren't any crooked/stupid dealers out there making keys for theives. My 2c.
Regards,
DaveR
Regards,
DaveR
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 14,372
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis IN
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Originally Posted by Nick1
Is it helpfull to cover you VIN in the front windshield to prevent its use in getting a key? Sounds good?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 2
From: Long Beach CA
when a key code is requested by an employee at a dealer, the request is documented via password logins and request formats. If the car comes up missing it'll comeback to the employee that made the request. Just like the Mercedes keys in Gone In 60 Seconds.
Last edited by 99FewteRC5; Sep 7, 2006 at 01:28 AM.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
Originally Posted by repo
Yep, and it is even harder in the last few months.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 753
Likes: 2
From: Denville NJ
Thanks everyone for your input! I think I will cover mine like I did with my Camaro. Don't forget that some jerk that works at a dealership could be the one checking out your dash.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 37,329
Likes: 12
From: Plano Texas
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Originally Posted by themonk
I went to a Chev dealership the other day to get a spare key cut and they asked me for my driver's license and the registration to the car. More than likely it is policy for all GM dealerships to ask for proof of ownership when getting keys cut.
Is it worth covering the VIN - maybe,
Is it worth placing a business card over it (easy removal) - more than likely if your Vette is left outside a lot.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge Louisiana
Cover it...
I went and got a spare key the other day. The only information I provided was the VIN written on a piece of paper. The guy looked it up and had the key made in 1 minute. I paid cash and was out the door. No record of who looked up the VIN; no record of myself purchasing the key. On another note, my buddy had his 2002 SS camaro stolen a few weekends ago. He has the whole thing on video tape. Some one walked up to his car with a key, got in, started it, and drove off. The whole theft took less than a minute. We're in college and neither he nor the car is originally from here. How do you think the thief got the key... 