I read an interesting article over the weekend that was published in one of our popular motoring magazines concerning the ever increasing rise in theft of vehicles fitted out with the 'keyless entry' system.

Whilst I was aware that the key was continuously 'hunting' for the appropriate vehicle I hadn't appreciated that with the right equipment, costing less than €100, it was possible to detect, record and save the emitted code from a distance approaching 100m. So what this means is that whilst some may believe that they have to be in close proximity to their car for the keys signal to be picked up, there remains enough signal strength to be recorded from a distance and then subsequently amplified by the recording device. Criminals are for example, sitting in carparks awaiting for 'keyless entry' fitted vehicles to enter. If the distance between the two parked vehicles is too great or there is disruption to the signal, one of the criminals will follow you into the shop or cafe etc and will then using a device concealed in a plastic bag or laptop case record the signal emitted from the key simply by standing by you looking at the same items on the shelf etc. Then, fully automatically and using WiFi or a Data transmission, this code will be transferred to the accomplice(s) sitting in the carpark where the recoded code will be saved to another device. The accomplice then approaches the car and the device, which the car sees as the owners key carrying the correct code, opens and in no time the affected vehicle is driven away. One point to note as regards any possible comments that the original key would be required to restart the vehicle once the thief had turned it off - not so as he/she will be carrying the instrument with the recorded coding which the vehicle sees as the key. Once in their workshop it has to be assumed that one way or another the thieves get hold of a replacement key and/or change the entire system. Who knows. The only vehicle not susceptible to this is the Mercedes C300 Coupe with it's removable start knob containing the receiver. That is of course on the assumption that the owner removes and takes the start knob away with them.

Another popular method used by criminals is to walk around estates footpaths during the night. If the vehicle owner has placed the key next to an outside wall and/or window this is sufficient for the key coding to be read and recorded with the same results - goodbye to your vehicle.

Sadly there is at present no answer to this problem which will only increase as more manufacturers jump on the bandwagon of placing convenience above security. Mazda's response to this when questioned by the magazine is that owners can elect to have the keyless entry and start function deactivated by the dealer which of course beggars the question of why do they fit such a system in the first place.

The magazine report , therefore, recommends that owners of vehicles fitted with the keyless entry system do not place their keys next to outside walls/windows when inside a building (home) - place it in a metal container (the fridge would be even better), and when out and about away from the vehicle, place the key in some sort of metal container or wrap it in screening foil.

Alarmist? Somewhat perhaps but I guess if your response is the same as those interviewed by the magazine who have either returned from shopping or gone to the garage first thing in the morning only to find their pride and joy gone missing and have said - 'never ever a keyless entry car again' - the perhaps not so alarmist after all.

I too would be open to suggestions of a touch of scaremongering were it not for the fact that the gadgets in question have been demonstrated to open a Audi A4, a BMW 220i Active T, a Ford Kug, a Kia Carens, a Mazda 6, a Range Rover Evoque, a Renault Clio Grandtour, a Volvo XC60 and a VW Passat. These were the only vehicles made available to the magazine at the time so the list is undoubtedly much longer.

The magazine quotes a Ford spokesperson as saying 'At present there are no measures available on the vehicle side, which prevent the opening by means of signal extension tools'. 'VW and Audi speak in unison of a race of technologies between thieves and manufacturers', and Volvo recommends, the key should not to stored near thinner exterior walls, windows or doors. The Mazda's reply is as above.

Conclusion: I think there must be something in it when manufacturers make comments such as those above and that vehicles across several brands using the 'keyless entry' system have been overcome.

I read that too!
I don't think the engine died because the fob fell off the roof. It is not necessary for it to be present all the time, just when attempting to start or restart I believe.
Was it in the Sunday Times? A similar occurrence was reported on an auto forum where the owner defrosted his car on his drive then drove himself to station where he found he couldn't lock the car or return home for the key fob!

A colleague of mine had his Land Rover Discovery stolen off his drive last night. Probably taken this way as it's keyless entry!

The only time we had a keyless ignition was when the ignition barrel broke on our 2CV and would have cost £110 to fix. (It was a long time ago and this was a small fortune to us.) This was solved by wiring in a big green workshop machine button - cost 10p.

Being serious for just a moment but doesn't it make you wonder how far motoring technology has advanced over such a short period of time?

My first car back in '64 was a Mini whose registration number of 9978RF I still remember along with the front grill that I eventually removed altogether as the starter motor required prompting with a large hammer each and every start.

Then in '69 I got posted to Singapore for a couple of years and was introduced to the joys of Ford Prefect ownership along with it's compression wipers and ventilation system that was about as effective as mudguards on a tortoise. We won't even mention the cross-ply tyres which, had the mobile phone been invented at that time, would have had me calling home requesting the wife to get the Intermediates ready. Come the monsoon season it was a case of engage gear, point car in the general direction one wished to travel and pray to high heaven that you arrived at the chosen destination in one piece.

Following on from that came the Rover 90 which last saw service on the British Army tank training base up in Yorkshire acting the roll of a German Panzer although it has to be said, the leather bench seats were the dogs whatsits in terms of comfort. Not much to say regarding it's successor - a Renault Dauphine - other than to say 'what other can one expect from the French?

Jump forward to 2015 and I now I don't even have to stick a key in either the door or the ignition - just press a button and Zoom Zoom as Mazda would say - off we go. That is of course unless the keyless start fob battery happens to be flat and then it's a case of out with the handbook to find out how to get the thing going. And if it starts to rain - no problem, the car is fitted with a rain sensor and the wipers start to flick even if it's just Pigeon urine on the screen. Automatic wipers, automatic lights that switch on when ambient light levels fall and automatic temperature control. Not only that, but everyone in the car can enjoy their own individual climate. Wave a leg under the rear bumper and the boot lid opens even if onlookers standing around think that I'm using my trouser leg to clean the bottom of the bumper.

So what else? Oh yes, in the very near future I won't have to lay my daily newspaper to one side when the wife screams that we have to go shopping. Soon I'll be able to take it with me and carry on reading whilst the self-steering car ferries us both along to the local Supermarket.

Yes - driving in the future is going to be a bag full of fun. Think I'll start searching the small adds/eBay for any Renault Dauphine's or Ford Prefects that may be available in which case I may be able to slip on my leather driving gloves once again (remember those) and actually make out that it's me in charge of the car and not the other way around.

Ah the Rover 90.
Was that the one with the tool kit in a cast iron tray carried under the glove compartment in front of the passenger seat?

Can't say that I remember that but then again, many a brain cell has been put to rest over the years.