Category: Tips

Car theft that does not involve breaking windows into your car is very common nowadays. Modern proximity keys allow thieves to use cheap relays to capture your key signals inside your house and use it to start your car. Luckily, there are some easy actions which will be sufficient to deal with this problem.

Block the signal at home

Since the main idea of relay attacks is expanding the area of signal coverage, you should prevent it by blocking your signal. Faraday pouches for your keys will cost only several dollars. Besides, you may simply keep keys in a metal box away from the front door and the car parking zone.

Never leave the keys in the car

Fobs left inside the car in the cup holder are easy targets for thieves. Moreover, most car owners place spare keys somewhere close, in the car. It will be better to hide your spare key somewhere inside your apartment.

Use steering wheel lock

Even though it is quite primitive device, it gives you additional time to catch your car and stop thieves since they have no time to take a proper tool for cutting this locking device.

Change the keys when buying a used car

It is impossible to know if the former owner has any copies of the key. You should change your lock by performing a car lock rekeying, and this procedure is quite cheap because it is done on site.

Understand the technology

Most push-to-start cars require attention, so if you understand the principles of their functioning, we can definitely offer you some useful tips in our smart key guide.

Phoenix takes its toll on the components in your key fob over a year, but it’s not the same kind of year that a northern city has. Heat, sunlight, and humidity wear down the electronics and plastics in your fob until either the battery dies or something fails in the lock. key fobs fob checks

Heat kills off your fob battery

Key fobs operate using a small battery, and heat accelerates the reaction enough to drain your battery much sooner than expected. This results in reduced range, especially during a Phoenix summer when temperatures soar well past 140 degrees F, as explained further in our article on what can go wrong with your fob.

UV rays deteriorate plastic and circuits boards

Direct exposure to Arizona sunshine degrades any key fob casing over time and causes the internal buttons fall off apart, it is also bad for the internal circuit board, which means keeping your fob out of sunlight by parking in the shade, parking in garages when possible, and not storing your fob in your vehicle.

Monsoon season brings dust into locks

Once the rainy season comes, blowing dust and moisture get into your door handle and lock cylinder. They accumulate and grind themselves against pins and the key blade. Lubricating the lock with a dry lubricant will resolve any issue with locks getting stuck, and forcing the blade only breaks it.

Keeping your keys protected during summer

Keep the fob inside and not exposed to heat, switch out an aging battery, park in the shade whenever possible, and clean your lock cylinder from dust and dirt. Your spare key needs a similarly safe place as well.