Can a 2005 4runner be stolen? Help!

[iBison]

See these links

http://garrett-engineers.com/g/2011/05/transponders-bypassed/

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r23791589-Transponder-ie-Chipped-Keys-false-sense-of-security

http://www.autotheftexpert.com/transponder.htm

http://money.msn.com/auto-insurance/article.aspx?post=11065b26-97c1-454b-96f5-60747c0f5edd

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/04/false-sense-of-security-or-how-to-steal-a-car-with-your-computer/

GMC transponder keys are very secure and help prevent your GMC from being stolen. Of course a car thief can still tow your GMC away, or bypass the ignition system on your GMC. The GMC transponder key does make it harder for a car thief to steal your GMC.

It doesn't say makes it impossible.

 

[pengy]

stories like these that makes me want to invest

I know you can't get out while the 4Runner is running and lock it with the FOB, it will just unlock itself. I'm pretty sure I've tried this while warming my 4Runner up in the winter and it doesn't work.

While you can't lock it with the FOB while it is running, you can manually "Lock" the door by turning the lock with your 2nd set of car key (while leave engine running with 1st key (in park).

I had to do this today because my battery was nearly dead, and I got enough battery charged (8hrs or so into the Ole Panasonic), got it started, drove to Advanced Auto Parts -- left it running in park (didn't want to turn it off), and went inside to get a new battery. I was able to lock it "manually turning the key" to pick up the new battery.

Pengy

 

[Red]

While you can't lock it with the FOB while it is running, you can manually "Lock" the door by turning the lock with your 2nd set of car key (while leave engine running with 1st key (in park).

I had to do this today because my battery was nearly dead, and I got enough battery charged (8hrs or so into the Ole Panasonic), got it started, drove to Advanced Auto Parts -- left it running in park (didn't want to turn it off), and went inside to get a new battery. I was able to lock it "manually turning the key" to pick up the new battery.

Pengy

Yeah I figured that would work. I don't have a second set of keys unfortunately the dealer didn't have them when I bought it. I should probably do something about that.

 

[stevec5000]

It would be interesting to see the video because if you think about it, to steal it in just a minute or 2 they would have to use a key but if it took about 10 min. or so then they used other means. Both the steering lock and the engine immobilizer have to be defeated which takes a while to do manually. If you watch thieves stealing a new BMW in Europe on YouTube that only takes a minute but the BMW doesn't have a steering lock, just a Start button so they break a window, jump in and plug their laptop into the OBDII port to reprogram it and they are off in a short time. On the 4R if it was just a minute then they either found a key in the vehicle or got a copy from someone who knows the owner or the vehicle like an ex-gf or previous owner. If they didn't have a key they would need to have a portable key cutter they could make a key from using the VIN number or use a tool to pull out the lock cylinder to unlock the steering. Then they would have needed to plug a laptop into the OBDII port to program the chip in the new key to defeat the engine immobilizer or to program another key fob if it has remote start and that would all take around 10 min. or so in my opinion.
Whether the car was legally stolen or not probably depends on state law though.

 

[iBison]

OP might want to read this article
http://garrett-engineers.com/g/2011/05/transponders-bypassed/

 

[stevec5000]

OP might want to read this article
Transponders bypassed? | Garrett Engineers, Inc.

The bypass techniques described by Garrett all seem pretty difficult and expensive. It would be a lot easier to just pick the owners pocket to get his key.

 

[stevec5000]

Laws have finally caught up with bad insurance company behavior.

I don't know about that, I've been in several accidents where they refused to pay me anything and I couldn't find any lawyers to take my case. If there's not a lot of easy money in it for the sleazy scumbags they just aren't interested and in this case it sounds like there wouldn't be.

 

[bxbstgtbhvhao]

Been to the dealer recently?

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

I'm thinking of getting LoJack for mine. But with the price of it starting at almost $700 and to get the extra Warranties and guarantees if rather buy an old iPhone off Craigslist, register it with my apple I.D and buy a cheap data plan with AT&T and be able to track it through find my iPhone while putting an extra 12V plug into my truck so keep it charging at all times and store it in a rear cargo area or something.

BTW: Did your ex leave anything like a iPhone, iPod or iPad in it? If it is connected to cellular data or WiFi it can be tracked through the Find My iPhone.

 

[the great him]

the key with lo-jack is they dont use GPS, they use radio signals and freqs to locate your vehicle, and the system can be triggered with out you even knowing your vehicles been stollen -say you go on vacation to europe, and leave your vehicle in your driveway, a thief comes along and steels it, well you wont know untill you get home two weeks later that it was stolen... but with lo-jack the moment the truck moves without authorization it trips the signal and alerts the police.. a lot of police cars have a lo-jack homing beacon receiver in them, and it can triangulate the location of the vehicle and basically walk the cops in to where your vehicle is. they have even recovered vehicles inside of containers at sea ports, and inside enclosed trailers going down the freeway, or in underground parking structures(where your GPS will not work). having lo-jack will drop your insurance rates like a rock, and i think they will pay for your vehicle if its not found -dont quote me on that.

if you ask me lo-jack is the best system out there and well worth the cost.

and yes state farm is just a big bunch of shady crooks, they are one of the best organized crime syndicates i know... i wouldnt recommend them to anyone, even ex's...

 

[stevec5000]

I'm thinking of getting LoJack for mine. But with the price of it starting at almost $700 and to get the extra Warranties and guarantees if rather buy an old iPhone off Craigslist, register it with my apple I.D and buy a cheap data plan with AT&T and be able to track it through find my iPhone while putting an extra 12V plug into my truck so keep it charging at all times and store it in a rear cargo area or something.

Meritline has some gadgets like that to do GPS tracking starting at just $33 so you can track it yourself. The $110 model even replies with a TXT message of current latitude, longitude, speed, and time, as well as an Internet map link to your cellphone to show you exactly where the GPS tracker/your vehicle is! I was thinking of maybe getting one of those or an alarm system with a remote pager that beeps if the vehicle is broken into.
Meritline.com,gps tracking

 

[OneFastt997]

This might apply here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/143538-police-stumped-mystery-car-thefts.html

 

[wadle5]

This might apply here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/143538-police-stumped-mystery-car-thefts.html

They had a special here on the news a while back. It was similar in that they used the experiment with the news anchor. But if you get the VIN and take it to a key cutting place that place can make a key that will work on the car. They walked into the News Station's parking lot and picked the Anchors car out, got the VIN, went to the store, cut the key, and then pranked the anchor and moved his car. As long as you have a believable story like lost my spare or just need another key made places would make a key that could access your vehicle for a complete stranger. Tried it out on several cars and several key cutting places. Another reason why ravclo makes a good argument tied with lo jack.

 

[MikeInNH]

ALL cars can be stolen. Some are just harder then others.

The State Farm service writer is a twit. He THINKS he knows something about cars and now he's trying to strut his stuff by pretending he's smart.

My neighbor lost her key to her 05 Camry 3 weeks ago. She called a lock-smith..who had her in her car and driving away with a new programmed key in minutes.