disabling features that automatically unlock the doors when the fob is detected?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 26
Likes: 4
From: Rhode Island
disabling features that automatically unlock the doors when the fob is detected?
I like to disable the feature that detects the key fob being close and allows you just to open the door when they are locked. I have a 2015 Z06. I did a search here and did not come up with anything and when I Googled it I found this which did not work. Anyone ever done this?Center Display - Select Settings > Vehicle > Remote Lock, Unlock, Start > Passive Door Unlock > Off
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,834
Likes: 1,852
From: St. Louis Metro East IL
So you want to have to press the UNLOCK button on the fob every time?
I don't see a choice of Passive Door Unlock OFF.
Passive Door Unlock
This allows the selection of what doors will unlock when using the door handle sensor on the driver door to unlock the vehicle.
Select All Doors or Driver Door.
What you want doesn't seem to be a choice - checked both 2014 and 2019 manuals under Vehicle Personalization.
You should sit in the car and run through all of the menu choices - great way to learn about the car.
Ron
I don't see a choice of Passive Door Unlock OFF.
Passive Door Unlock
This allows the selection of what doors will unlock when using the door handle sensor on the driver door to unlock the vehicle.
Select All Doors or Driver Door.
What you want doesn't seem to be a choice - checked both 2014 and 2019 manuals under Vehicle Personalization.
You should sit in the car and run through all of the menu choices - great way to learn about the car.
Ron
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 26
Likes: 4
From: Rhode Island
Yes I would like to press the fob each time. I went through the options, and I only found that as well, but I thought I was missing something. I was told by a local police officer that he has seen cars stolen because of this feature. The car is always sending out/looking for a signal while looking for the fob to see if its close. Thieves use scanning software and one they pick up what the car is putting out they can get in. Don't know how true but seems like it would be a option you should be able to disable, but guess not on vettes
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,207
Likes: 4,329
From: Chirper Island
You can't disable passive unlock.
If you are concerned about key cloning, don't be.
A tow truck could ****** it up in a few seconds. I'm still not sure of a verifiable case of a C6 or a C7 stolen via cloning. A lot of stolen Vettes, and a lot of speculation.
If you are concerned about key cloning, don't be.
A tow truck could ****** it up in a few seconds. I'm still not sure of a verifiable case of a C6 or a C7 stolen via cloning. A lot of stolen Vettes, and a lot of speculation.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,834
Likes: 1,852
From: St. Louis Metro East IL
The fob is not transmitting all of the time, but only in response to the car when a door pad is pressed or if you press a fob button. There is a very limited range for passive unlocking to work - ONE METER from the RKE antenna located just behind each door or the hatch.
The car does not transmit all the time, but only when a door / hatch pad is pressed.
If you are that worried keep the fob in a small Faraday pouch in your pocket - you will need to remove the fob from the pouch for the car to see it.
My Subaru fobs CAN be turned off to save the battery (and disable the equivalent of Passive Unlocking). Not so the Vette. Curiously Subie fobs go through batteries even faster than Vette fobs.
Ron
The car does not transmit all the time, but only when a door / hatch pad is pressed.
If you are that worried keep the fob in a small Faraday pouch in your pocket - you will need to remove the fob from the pouch for the car to see it.
My Subaru fobs CAN be turned off to save the battery (and disable the equivalent of Passive Unlocking). Not so the Vette. Curiously Subie fobs go through batteries even faster than Vette fobs.
Ron
Last edited by RonC7; May 11, 2026 at 11:16 PM.
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
You can't turn off passive door unlocking. Here are your options:
Keyless car theft, often referred to as "relay attacks" or "fob cloning," involves thieves using electronic devices to intercept and mimic the signal from your key fob to unlock and start your vehicle without needing a physical key.
How Remote Cloning Systems Work
Thieves typically use one of two high-tech methods to bypass modern security systems:
Thieves often target high-performance or popular newer models with push-to-start ignitions:
How to Protect Your Vehicle
Law enforcement and safety experts recommend several layers of security to prevent these high-tech thefts:
Rapidly pressing the lock button multiple times after a car has already passively locked can confuse a key code copier (code grabber or sniffer).
This technique, sometimes called a "desynchronization attack" or "denial of service," works against attackers trying to capture a single valid rolling code to open your car later.
How it Confuses a Code Copier
Important Considerations:
Bill
Keyless car theft, often referred to as "relay attacks" or "fob cloning," involves thieves using electronic devices to intercept and mimic the signal from your key fob to unlock and start your vehicle without needing a physical key.
How Remote Cloning Systems Work
Thieves typically use one of two high-tech methods to bypass modern security systems:
- Relay Attacks: Two thieves work in tandem. One stands near your home with an antenna to "grab" the signal from a key fob inside the house. This signal is then transmitted to a second thief standing by your car, tricking the vehicle into thinking the owner is right there.
- Direct Key Programming/Cloning: Thieves break into a vehicle, often through a window, and connect a handheld programming device to the car's Onboard Diagnostic (OBD2) port. This allows them to program a blank key fob to the car's computer in minutes.
- Signal Jamming & Interception: Some advanced devices can jam the signal when you try to lock your car, or capture "rolling codes" to be used later to unlock the vehicle.
Thieves often target high-performance or popular newer models with push-to-start ignitions:
- Performance Models: Dodge Challengers, Chargers (specifically Hellcats), and Ram trucks are frequent targets.
- Popular Sedans & SUVs: Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Honda CR-V, and Ford F-150 series.
How to Protect Your Vehicle
Law enforcement and safety experts recommend several layers of security to prevent these high-tech thefts:
- Faraday Pouches/Boxes: Store your keys in a signal-blocking Faraday bag or metal container. These block the radio frequency (RFID) signals from being harvested by thieves' antennas.
- OBD2 Port Locks: Use a physical lock on your car's OBD2 port to prevent thieves from plugging in programming devices.
- Physical Deterrents: Old-school tools like steering wheel locks or wheel clamps can deter thieves who are looking for a quick, "quiet" electronic theft.
- Disable Keyless Entry: Check your car's settings or manual to see if you can temporarily disable the "proximity" or "keyless" entry feature when the car is parked.
- Smart Key Placement: Keep your keys as far away from exterior doors and windows as possible when inside your home.
Rapidly pressing the lock button multiple times after a car has already passively locked can confuse a key code copier (code grabber or sniffer).
This technique, sometimes called a "desynchronization attack" or "denial of service," works against attackers trying to capture a single valid rolling code to open your car later.
How it Confuses a Code Copier
- Rolling Codes: Modern cars use rolling codes, where each press generates a new, single-use code.
- Capturing the Signal: An attacker needs to capture the specific next code in the sequence to unlock your car.
- Multiple Presses: If you press the button 5 or 6 times, you generate multiple valid codes. If only the first one is captured, and you press the button 257+ times while out of range, the fob can become out of sync with the car.
- Desync: The car's computer may reject the "stale" code previously captured by the attacker.
Important Considerations:
- Battery Wear: Constantly doing this will wear out your key fob battery and buttons faster.
- Potential to Lock Keys Inside: While trying to be secure, you might trigger a "hidden" function or cause the car to misinterpret the signal, increasing the risk of locking your keys inside.
- Not a Guarantee: While this can disrupt simple replay attacks, it is not a foolproof defense against sophisticated theft techniques like relay attacks (where the key signal is extended, not just copied).
Bill
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; May 12, 2026 at 11:19 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 26
Likes: 4
From: Rhode Island
Hot dam. Thanks for that boat load of knowledge Bill. Well appreciated indeed. Good stuff and interesting. Amazing how they do these things. Seems like the more electronics and high tech the cars get the easier it is. I I guess you can only do so much before you drive yourself crazy. LOL Just try to deterrent the average thieve.