Keyless entry lets you unlock and start your car with the fob in your pocket — wonderfully convenient, but it comes with a specific theft risk worth understanding. The good news: a few simple steps close the gap.
How keyless entry works
The car and fob talk constantly over a short-range signal. When the fob is close, the doors unlock on touch and the engine starts at the push of a button — no key turned, no buttons pressed.
The relay-theft risk
Thieves can use two relay devices to capture your fob’s signal through a wall — say, from a fob near your front door — and extend it to the car outside, unlocking and starting it. It’s quiet, fast, and needs no physical key.
- Store the fob in a signal-blocking (Faraday) pouch
- Keep keys away from the front door and windows
- Turn off the fob’s wireless at night if your model allows
- Consider a steering lock as a visible deterrent
If your fob fails or is lost
A dead fob battery usually has a hidden mechanical key and a backup start method — check your manual. If a smart key is lost, a locksmith can program a replacement to your car and disable the missing one so it can’t be used.
