Recently bought an '05 C6. This is the first vehicle I've owned with a push button start (keyless). How theft proof is this system and is there anything else I should know about anti-theft?? Not concerned at home as the car will be garaged but what about when in a parking lot or worse overnight in a motel??

Thanks!!!!

 

If it's a manual it's pretty damn theft proof...

​​​Unless they have a tow truck... Which is how most car thieves do it now.

That said, your car isn't exactly a big target for theft. It's not super valuable, the parts aren't super useful to make it worth chopping, so your real threat is a smash and grab, or an "oops I left my keys in the car".

 

Locks were only meant to keep honest people out.

 

It's gone if someone really wants it and has the means. I use a battery quick disconnect (a removable bolt) when leaving the car overnight at a motel. The disconnect really only makes me feel better and probably is useless for delaying a determined thief. But at least the battery is disconnected.

 

Immobilizer
The immobilizer system has been incorporated into the remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR). The immobilizer is provided in order to prevent the vehicle operation if the correct key fob is not used in order to start the vehicle. The ignition button is pressed and the keyless entry antenna backup broadcasts a challenge to the key fob. If the challenge is met, the key fob will transmit via radio frequency (RF) to the RCDLR to enable the vehicle to start. This is accomplished by the RCDLR sending a fuel enable message to the engine control module (ECM).

The design of the keyless access with push button start system is to prevent vehicle theft by disabling the engine unless the correct key fob is present when attempting to start the vehicle. The system is similar in concept to the PASS-Key® III System. However, the keyless access with push button start system eliminates the need for a key; the key fob is considered to be the key. The components of the keyless access with push button start system are as follows:

• The start button

• The #1-#4 key fobs

• The keyless entry antenna backup

• The body control module (BCM)

• The RCDLR

• The security telltale

• The ECM

Start Button
The start button is located at the upper right side of the steering column on the instrument panel. The start button is used to start the vehicle engine, turn OFF the vehicle engine, put the vehicle in ACC mode or put the vehicle in RUN mode.

The start button signals the body control module (BCM) to ground the Run\Crank control relay which will then feed power to the Crank relay in the under hood fuse block. The BCM must also simultaneously send a serial data message to the engine control module (ECM) to ground the starter enable relay to allow power to the starter solenoid and starter motor.

Key Fobs
The key fobs are not only used to passively or actively lock and unlock the vehicle, they are also used to enable the vehicles engine to be started. If the remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR) does not receive a valid radio frequency (RF) signal after the fob is challenged by the keyless entry antenna backup, the RCDLR will not send a fuel enable message to the engine control module. A NO FOB DETECTED message will display on the driver information center (DIC).

When any one of the 4 allowable programmed key fobs are challenged by the keyless entry antenna backup, by pressing the start button, they will passively send a RF signal to the RCDLR; the RCDLR will then send a serial data message to the engine control module (ECM) to enable fuel so the vehicle's engine can be started.

Keyless Entry Antenna Backup
The keyless entry antenna backup is located in the glove box area. It has a small pocket next to it where the key fob can be inserted if the key fobs battery is dead, weak or the radio frequency (RF) signal is being jammed.

The purpose of the keyless entry antenna backup is to send a low frequency RF challenge to a programmed key fob, inside the interior of the vehicle, when the start button is pressed. The keyless entry antenna backup is controlled by the remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR).

Body Control Module (BCM)
Important: The remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR) is not on the GM LAN high speed bus, therefore the RCDLR and the engine control module (ECM) must use the body control module (BCM) as a gateway in order to communicate.

The BCM is located in the interior on the passenger side of the vehicle. It can be accessed by pulling back the carpet in the passenger foot area under the glove compartment. The body control module is a multi-function module. The BCM is used in the vehicle theft deterrent system as a gateway for the RCDLR to send a fuel enable message to the ECM. The RCDLR is not on the GM LAN high speed bus. The RCDLR will send a Class 2 message through the BCM as a gateway to the ECM to receive the fuel enable password.

Remote Control Door Lock Receiver (RCDLR)
Important: The remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR) is not on the GM LAN high speed bus, therefore the RCDLR and the engine control module (ECM) must use the body control module (BCM) as a gateway in order to communicate.

The RCDLR is a multi-function module located in the upper passenger side of the dash panel. The RCDLR can be accessed by removing the upper dash pad. The keyless entry antenna backup is controlled by the RCDLR, along with three other low frequency antennas used for passive vehicle entry, but not for the immobilizer. The RCDLR will send an AC voltage signal and provide ground to the keyless entry antenna backup when the ignition button is pressed. This will enable the keyless entry antenna backup to send out the low frequency broadcast challenge to a key fob in range. The RCDLR also has an internal radio frequency (RF) antenna to receive the key fobs passively or actively sent signal. The RCDLR is the module responsible for sending the fuel enable serial data message, if all the vehicle theft deterrent requirements are met.

SECURITY Telltale
The SECURITY telltale appears on the instrument cluster. If the SECURITY telltale flashes or if the SECURITY telltale lights continuously during the vehicle operation, there is a problem with the immobilizer system and it should be serviced by the dealer. The SECURITY telltale is a dual purpose indicator, and with the ignition OFF, it is controlled by the content theft deterrent system. With the ignition ON it is controlled by the immobilizer system.

Engine Control Module (ECM)
Important: The remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR) is not on the GM LAN high speed bus, therefore the RCDLR and the engine control module (ECM) must use the body control module (BCM) as a gateway in order to communicate.

The ECM communicates with the BCM and the RCDLR over the serial data line. When the RCDLR determines a no start condition, it sends a serial data password to the ECM in order to disable the starting system. If the RCDLR receives a valid key fob radio frequency (RF) transmitted frequency, the RCDLR sends a serial data password to the ECM in order to enable the starting system. The ECM then allows the vehicle to start correctly. If the serial data password from the RCDLR to the ECM is not within the Vehicle Security Status Message, the vehicle will not start. If the ECM does not receive the same password from the RCDLR as the last learned one, the vehicle will not start.

Changing the Keyless Access with Push Button Start Components
The design of the keyless access with push button start system is to prevent theft even if the various theft deterrent parts change. The parts that can no longer be changed without the possibility of going into a tamper mode are:

• Key fobs

• The engine control module (ECM)

• The remote control door lock receiver (RCDLR)

If you replace the key fobs, the new key fobs must be relearned to the RCDLR, Refer to Transmitter Programming . When replacing a RCDLR, you must relearn the existing key fobs to the new RCDLR; the ECM must also be put in learn mode to learn the new RCDLR password. Refer to Transmitter Programming and Programming Theft Deterrent System Components . When replacing an ECM with a new GM SPO part number, that has not learned a vehicle theft deterrent password from any other vehicle, the ECM will learn the RCDLR vehicle theft deterrent password on the first ignition cycle.

 

Corvette's are not often stolen, you should be more worried about your econobox or full size truck as those are high value targets.

Not to mention worrying about your Corvette all the time kind of takes the fun out of the car. I always just think "that's what insurance is for" when I need to put my mind to rest. YMMV

 

At a motel, park with front facing the curb. Turn front wheels full lock either way. That way they can’t pick it up by the rear wheels and roll away, car won’t pull straight. They would have to put dollies under front wheels and that takes time.

 

Do you really see a 16yo vehicle worth less than $25k a big target for car thieves? Personally, I wouldn’t worry about it. I would say that 2/3 of the vehicles in the parking lot at a motel are worth more than your Vette. Also, most motel’s parking lots are monitored with CCTV. Both of these things should apply unless you are staying at a roach motel.

 

Like the idea of parking nose in first and lock the steering to one direction. Makes sense to me. Anyway, thanks for all your replies. Unfortunately everybody is probably right regarding the value vs other vehicles in the lot. However, who steals a 2018 Mitsubishi !!!!!!!

 

Three ways to worry.

The first is someone jealous of the car, and vandalize it. Out the other 2, this is often the case with the car keyed, windows broken, or even tires slashed.

The second one is someone breaks into the car to steel something out of it, or puts it up on bricks to steal the after market rims on it.

The third, someone want to steel the entire car, so takes it with a flat bed tow truck. And no, not even an alarm system is going to slow them down, since just too many cars towed from begin parked illegally with alarms systems going off while on the back of the tow trucks, and no one gives it a second through/police don't even bother to stop the going down the road.

Leave the car outside instead of parked in your garage, and it will first and second above that your going to have problems with for the most part.

As for car stolen, don't see it much with stock C6's, but you mod the hell out of it with aftermarket parts, and it will be the aftermarket parts that they are really going after to steal the entire car instead.

So bottom line, out of sight/out of mind is how you play it, being keep the car in your Garage when not driving it over night, and this solves a lot of problems.
Also, have the car fully insured so if someone lets loose on it, or it's completely stolen, then insurance will replace the car.

If you don't have a garage to keep the Vet in over night, then really picked the wrong car in the first place to leave it outside when not driving it.

 

Another well-thought out and well-put comment from Iceaxe. I share the same sentiment.

 

I lock the car, use The Club, and turn the steering wheel hard over.

 

Honest people don't try to open doors that do not belong to them...

 

some do because they are curious

 

Interesting...I am a very curious guy. I ponder the actions of others to great detail, occasionally going up to strangers to say, "I'm just curious why you did that?" (non-threateningly, of course). But, in my 70 years, I cannot recall my curiosity causing me to open the door of a total stranger's car, unless someone was in the car, and seemed to need help.

 

Yeah... that's how you get shot where I live.

 

Yikes!!

 

I too ponder other peoples actions.I've never in my 51yrs opened someone else's door without permission, but some people (not me ) were raised without manners. Like I said locks were only meant to keep honest peole out.

 

You'd better be a good shot. Where I live the offender shoots back.