3rd Gen Proximity Key- Heads Up

Taking a guess from weird RFI problems and random antenna issues I've grappled with over the decades, my guess is that she put her keys right next to an outside light switch, or next to where the wires to an outside light run inside the wall right near the keys. Then with the truck parked close to an outside light fixture (a wall sconce light or more likely a post lamp, but whatever) the wire acted like an antenna to allow the truck & keys to communicate as if they were only a few feet away from each other. Very freaky coincidence, one in a million, but such RF coupling is my first guess.

 

yes, but then I'm still without a truck!!!!!

 

so this explains why ive been beating myself up bc i keep thinking i left the truck unlocked lol.

edit: how do you forgive yourself? some strong words were said...

 

Actually I read about how car thieves break into cars with smart keys as i was concerned about this. I found an article online where a woman watched someone break into her prius while she was home, and it had a smart key.

Apparently the thieves place a pad of some sort on the locked door. This pad amplifies the strength of the antenna in the car which increases it's range. Once amplified, the car is able to read the key from inside the house and the crooks can unlock the door and steal your belongings.

Good to know we can turn the key off.

 

I was thinking this too. Keys hung too close to the car and it will pick it up.

 

Mercedes Benz, 2010 or 2011 I think.

As my post said, we did some experimenting to figure it out. I tested it with her, even with the key inside the house I was able to open the door. As I also said it wasn't a Tacoma. I just know the 3rd gens have a prox key as this car did, and I wanted owners to make sure the range wasn't ridiculous like in this case.

Theres no motive for her to lie...whether the car was locked or not it was still a crime (just a difference between a burglary or a theft).

 

on my 2014 4runner and the 2016 Tacoma, unless your within 1-2 feet of the door sensor, I cant unlock it with my hand.

 

How did we ever live before the remote control? Much less key fobs and smartphone?! But on a serious note, kudos to the OP for pointing this out.

 

the vehicle he is speaking about is a Mercedes .. from me using rental cars and everyone else on here the fob doesn't unlock the door unless you are 1-2 foot away with it on your person.

 

With the same token as a real key and not a smart key that's possible as well. "But Large, I put my key in my pocket and they can't steal the car that way." Well you have a good point but if their whole purpose is to steal the car, let them steal it. Because if they get in it and there is no key they will more than likely try to harm you to get it.

 

I can't give details, but .....BRING IT ON!!!!!..................With that said, not everybody is me and is trained to deal with that. (protect the flock!)

 

Lol by no means am I telling anyone to give up their keys to a damn thief but that's another argument. Let's say your wife takes the truck for a spin or your daughter / son? They probably wouldn't know how to handle that situation.

 

They may have hacked her system to amplifiy the fob signal See How. I saw this awhile back and apparently it is still a flaw in most proximity key systems.

nvm Ronin already mentioned this.

I just never lock unless I have something valuable in it in a parking lot or something. Have had the cars rummaged a couple of times, but no lock damaged and nothing stolen. One guy left his nasty bent lock-breaking screwdriver on the seat of my 08 taco, but since it was already unlocked he didn't feel the need to damage anything.

 

I was standing at the back door and my daughter tried to get in. Didnt work unless I was a foot away. I have tried it with the fob where I usually leave it in the house and it didnt unlock.