hughalex

One of my club members informed the members that he has seen a number of Corvette thefts at a local dealership where the thieves are smashing the driver's side window and entering the car. Once in the car they are accessing the under-dash computer port, starting the vehicle and driving off.

if this is being done at dealerships, it’s only a matter of time until they get bold enough to do it on the streets and parking area.

Do any Forum members have any suggestions on how to protect ourselves against this? (Hardware, software, whatever?)

MosEspa

3 options.

1. Buy a manual.
2. Buy a steering wheel lock. (pic below)
3. Buy a shift-**** lock. (My C5 has one that the previous owner manufactured. I keep it in the trunk and it has a special key. Basically a big metal block that opens and closes with a key to unlock it that goes over the shift-**** so you cant press the button to get out of park.)

Remember, 90% of crime is opportunity. If someone looks in a Corvette or any car they want to steal and sees this thing on the wheel, they will probably nope right out of there and not even break the window.

Factoid

Get a throttle controlled like Soler. You can then use the app on your phone to shut off the throttle. It’s hard to drive off when the accelerator pedal doesn’t work.

gpotski

Get a C4...

lassie

Battery kill switch? Where are these incidents?

c5arlen

So where's the cops? Donuts? 🤨

miami08VETTE

Cars stolen from Dealer lots is not a new phenomenon. My dad worked for car dealerships for decades and it was always a thing. More common now, perhaps?

hughalex

I appreciate all the suggestions. Even the humorous ones.

The dealership has been very supportive of the Corvette community, suffice it to say, this is happening in the Mud-Atlantic Region.

Shokwav

It’s already happening on the streets. Don’t have the link handy but just yesterday saw a clip from California of a white c7 captured by a home security camera. Group of four urban youths breaking in while one shouts to the homeowner to stay inside or they will kill him.

I’d be happy to stay inside and shoot from cover. Until people start removing the thieves from existence it’s going to keep happening.

CraigStu

So exactly how are they accessing the underdash computer port? Is this the OBDII port. I find it hard to believe that plugging into that port will allow starting the car.

hughalex

Look on YouTube for: “How they steal your C 7 Corvette …”

Vetteman Jack

^&right

Years ago I worked with a young man who would tell us how he and his ilk would go to the local mall and look for cars with steering wheel locks. They'd pick those cheap locks in seconds, steal the car, and leave the wheel lock bar in the parking space where the car was. Theyn, they'd wait not far away to watch the owner come out to fin the wheel lock.

If someone is smart enough to start a post 1986 computerized car, a cheap lock made in China ain't gonna be a challenge.

I'd also steer away from a battery cut off on our cars. Don't know if that would mess with the computers??

geewez

You can purchase a OBD2 port lock. It clamps on the port and is secured with an anti-theft screw. They're available from eBay and Amazon. I just bought three of them and attached one to each of my cars. It may not stop a determined thief but every little thing helps. I've also picked up a remote controled relay that you plug into the fuel pump or starter circut in the fuse box, hit the remote and it kills that circut thus disabling the starter or fuel pump. Hit the remote to turn it off before starting your car and all is normal again. Also hid an Apple air tag in the car, somewhere where it's hard to access for additional security.

aklim

I am sure that if they break in, I have every right to shoot them when they are INSIDE THE HOUSE. Not totally sure if one of my stray shots will be a problem if it hits an innocent person but to protect my life, I'd risk it. What I am sure I won't risk is my life to protect a car where my deductible is $500. Do you honestly believe any car is worth your life if they do shoot back or even the hassle that could come from shooting at them? WTH, I'd toss them the keys so they get going faster.

To answer the OP's question, comprehensive insurance policy.

Shokwav

It wasn’t seal team 6 in the video I referenced. It was gutter rats doing gutter things. Suppressed fire from cover? I like those odds all day.
Btw, threatening to shoot you while you’re on your property is grounds for termination as far as the law is concerned. In fearing for my life I had no choice. Beyond that my corvette cannot be replaced so deductibles don’t help me.

aklim

Fair enough. I personally feel that the odds of me and the wife being safe with them gone ASAP is better than with any shots fired. To that end, I'd throw them the keys so they can get farther away faster.

As far as threats of that nature go, it never came up in any class I took. We were taught that gunplay is a last resort. I know you can shoot if they are inside the house facing you or outside the house pointing the gun at you (still responsible for your missed rounds). Just verbal threat to kill you if you came outside made on your lawn, IDK. Didn't see the video so I can't say if they actually pointed at gun AT HIM or not.

Never had a car that can't be replaced so I don't know about that either. I don't own anything that is worth risking my wife's wellbeing and/or mine over. I think my wallet regenerates a lot better and faster than my body parts.

aklim

Unless you plan to gather your posse and hunt them down like in the movie "Taken", how would an air tag help? I don't imagine they will be gentle with it. You want what is LEFT OF IT back as a "fixer upper"?

449er

lol

Travlee

someone tried to steal mine tues morning at the gym... didnt get it, not sure if they got scared off or saw it was M7. they def hit the start button because the DIC and radio were on