The thieves are always one step ahead of security systems 
Stolen
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 1,955
From: Colo Spgs, CO
Hey just wanted to let you all know that apparently it's not that difficult to steal your car. My gray z06 was just stolen yesterday in Almaden Lake Park in San Jose by an Uber driver in less than 30 minutes I was away on a run. Was locked and there was no broken glass. Uber mini-van driver with very dark windows and glowing sign in back window had followed me down the dead end street and parked in front of me and was gone as was my car.
Nothing guarantees protection from thieves but, IMO, this is a useful tool in the theft prevention tool box.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,432
Likes: 3,285
From: Hartford WI
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 1,955
From: Colo Spgs, CO
The short answer is NO. As described in the Owner's Manual, Valet Mode "locks the infotainment system and steering wheel controls, and may also limit access to vehicle storage locations."
If your car is PDR-equipped, it can also be configured to record what happens every time it's started. Notably, it does NOT cripple the car. In short, it will provide you a recording of Ferris' joy ride, but will not prevent it.
If your car is PDR-equipped, it can also be configured to record what happens every time it's started. Notably, it does NOT cripple the car. In short, it will provide you a recording of Ferris' joy ride, but will not prevent it.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 8
Likes: 2
Thanks
Thanks for all the responses. I'm already looking to replace it and will take more precautions. Hindsight is wonderful. I'm. not too keen on the C8's cramped space and poor interior console. I have been hoping they will fix it, but that seems likely a few years off yet and I don't want to pay extra like I did for my 2015 premiere edition stingray which a 72 ford pickup backed into the street and destroyed. My stolen vette was a 2015 3lt z07, so I am looking for a 2019 similar one.
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 510
Likes: 141
From: Southeast, pa.
i'm talking to an installer now, his recommendation is a starter kill sys. which has a separate fob($750). or an updated version that has a gps capability.($975). so if they get past 1 fob the other will prevent it. it also detects car movement , like being jacked up or windows being broken.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,432
Likes: 3,285
From: Hartford WI
Thanks for all the responses. I'm already looking to replace it and will take more precautions. Hindsight is wonderful. I'm. not too keen on the C8's cramped space and poor interior console. I have been hoping they will fix it, but that seems likely a few years off yet and I don't want to pay extra like I did for my 2015 premiere edition stingray which a 72 ford pickup backed into the street and destroyed. My stolen vette was a 2015 3lt z07, so I am looking for a 2019 similar one.
When I first sat in the C7 until I bought it, it felt cramped compared to my C4. Visibility for the rear sucked. After a while, you get used it and adapt. Compared to my CL550 which was like a goldfish bowl, all other cars sucked.
@C7GSM7VERT
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 935
From: S.F. Bay Area,CA
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
So sorry to hear of your loss. I live just up the Peninsula and I still use The Club when parking in unusual places. Maybe misplaced optimism, but at least it will cost them more time! In my 63 vert, I used to pull the distributor cable. Easy enough to r and r. I am leery of using tech to fight tech.
Isn't there a fuse for the injectors (or something in the ignition system) that would prevent the firing of the ignition system? Could we just pull a fuse and replace it upon return? Seems low tech enough and who carries fuses for ripping off cars? Curious if I am on to something, or just another idea not thought through enough...
Isn't there a fuse for the injectors (or something in the ignition system) that would prevent the firing of the ignition system? Could we just pull a fuse and replace it upon return? Seems low tech enough and who carries fuses for ripping off cars? Curious if I am on to something, or just another idea not thought through enough...
Last edited by Bayshore Vette; Aug 6, 2024 at 12:37 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 194
Likes: 78
Isn't there a fuse for the injectors (or something in the ignition system) that would prevent the firing of the ignition system? Could we just pull a fuse and replace it upon return? Seems low tech enough and who carries fuses for ripping off cars? Curious if I am on to something, or just another idea not thought through enough...
Now to figure out what fuse to pull thats fast and easy
Even a toggle wired in between a circuit to interrupt it works
My brother is a shop mgr, I will ask him
Personally I think aftermarket security systems are a huge red flag when buying a car. You have no idea who installed it, or if rhey fried something. Now you have a wiring liability. Its more common then people realize as Best Buy was notorious for cookin BCMs
Last edited by CreepinDeth; Aug 6, 2024 at 12:59 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,432
Likes: 3,285
From: Hartford WI
i'm talking to an installer now, his recommendation is a starter kill sys. which has a separate fob($750). or an updated version that has a gps capability.($975). so if they get past 1 fob the other will prevent it. it also detects car movement , like being jacked up or windows being broken.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,432
Likes: 3,285
From: Hartford WI
Radical idea. Don't go to sketchy places. I don't go there regardless of what I drive. I don't want to get shot, stabbed, mugged, etc.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 194
Likes: 78
For those interested in some options, I found this old thread here from last year.
Pulling these simple fuses will disable the vehicle, but I'm new to vette's and don't know where these panels are yet.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-fuse-box.html
Pulling fuses is a simple approach, and your average thief isn't an electrical technician to diagnose and pull covers off looking for fuses.
All they know is, it's not a quick grab n go, and there's a 99% chance they will not proceed further UNLESS it's an overnight grab
That takes time, and time isn't a luxury that they have in stealing cars.
This is obviously the best course of action
Any urban area is a sketchy area unless it has gated / guarded parking.
Even having said that, driving thru areas like Chicago at night, criminal elements have
used multiple vehicles to pit a car & steal cars @ gunpoint.
Pulling these simple fuses will disable the vehicle, but I'm new to vette's and don't know where these panels are yet.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-fuse-box.html
Pulling fuses is a simple approach, and your average thief isn't an electrical technician to diagnose and pull covers off looking for fuses.
All they know is, it's not a quick grab n go, and there's a 99% chance they will not proceed further UNLESS it's an overnight grab
That takes time, and time isn't a luxury that they have in stealing cars.
Any urban area is a sketchy area unless it has gated / guarded parking.
Even having said that, driving thru areas like Chicago at night, criminal elements have
used multiple vehicles to pit a car & steal cars @ gunpoint.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 343
From: Norman OK
That sucks man
They use signal catcher/repeaters
Everyone with a keyfob needs to be educated on proper home & street security to prevent them “catching” and repeating the FOBs signal back to the car
Faraday cage boxes or pockets can be bought to keep your keys in it
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m0QFVbNjfB0&pp
They use signal catcher/repeaters
Everyone with a keyfob needs to be educated on proper home & street security to prevent them “catching” and repeating the FOBs signal back to the car
Faraday cage boxes or pockets can be bought to keep your keys in it
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m0QFVbNjfB0&pp
They are not always using signal catchers. If they can get into the vehicle they are using a dealer service tool to reprogram the RKE module with a new key fob which then allows them to start the vehicle like normal and drive away.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
Likes: 2,679
Honestly the best thing you can do is drive a stick shift, as most people can't. Doesn't stop a flat bed, but whatever, they have less value to thieves. I just don't take mine places anymore that it could get seriously damaged or stolen. You can't worry about such things, you'll go crazy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
Likes: 2,679
Same with your house. If someone wants to get your stuff they will. Nothing you can do other than live in a compound and go nowhere. Or have a personal army of security be everywhere all the time.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,432
Likes: 3,285
From: Hartford WI
Honestly the best thing you can do is drive a stick shift, as most people can't. Doesn't stop a flat bed, but whatever, they have less value to thieves. I just don't take mine places anymore that it could get seriously damaged or stolen. You can't worry about such things, you'll go crazy.
I bought a beater car and found out as soon as I got in that it was manual. Killed it twice on the way home but figured it out. Wasn't butter smooth or wasn't able to shift it without the clutch but got it worked out. If you tell me a pro car thief can't drive stick, I got to wonder if it is fantasy or just wishful thinking. As said, I do not think that a couple of drink HS juniors are going to be able to start it on a whim but a pro thief is going to be long gone by the time you notice it is gone and probably have it either chopped or in a crate heading overseas.
