Are Toyota's/Lexus hard to steal?
09-09-08, 10:49 AM
#1
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Are Toyota's/Lexus hard to steal?
I was wondering if anyone can answer this.
Are Toyota's/Lexus models harder to steal than other cars?
I ask because a few years ago I locked my keys in my old Toyota Truck and the tow truck driver could not slim jim the window to open up the lock. There was something in there that prevented this. The driver had to put some rod through the weather stripping and the door to unlock the door. It was almost like he had to pry the door a bit to get the rod inside.
I know there is all this code technology now. but how about the older models? Can anyone answer this?
Are Toyota's/Lexus models harder to steal than other cars?
I ask because a few years ago I locked my keys in my old Toyota Truck and the tow truck driver could not slim jim the window to open up the lock. There was something in there that prevented this. The driver had to put some rod through the weather stripping and the door to unlock the door. It was almost like he had to pry the door a bit to get the rod inside.
I know there is all this code technology now. but how about the older models? Can anyone answer this?
09-09-08, 12:10 PM
#6
I was wondering if anyone can answer this.
Are Toyota's/Lexus models harder to steal than other cars?
I ask because a few years ago I locked my keys in my old Toyota Truck and the tow truck driver could not slim jim the window to open up the lock. There was something in there that prevented this. The driver had to put some rod through the weather stripping and the door to unlock the door. It was almost like he had to pry the door a bit to get the rod inside.
I know there is all this code technology now. but how about the older models? Can anyone answer this?
Are Toyota's/Lexus models harder to steal than other cars?
I ask because a few years ago I locked my keys in my old Toyota Truck and the tow truck driver could not slim jim the window to open up the lock. There was something in there that prevented this. The driver had to put some rod through the weather stripping and the door to unlock the door. It was almost like he had to pry the door a bit to get the rod inside.
I know there is all this code technology now. but how about the older models? Can anyone answer this?
09-09-08, 03:23 PM
#7
it can't be that hard, someone smashed our window on our toyota, but thankfully, there was some sort of glass breakage sensor and we were walking to the car, saw the guy run away as we got neared, and he got caught by hotel security somewhere else in the parking lot...... what a dumb ***
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09-09-08, 03:46 PM
#8
Here's an interesting story:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...51C0A967958260
The Lexus LS has also been sole consecutive 100% top scorers in What Car? Security Supertests.
http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=2333747
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...51C0A967958260
Making Cars Harder to Steal: Smart Systems, Tough Locks
By DORON P. LEVIN, SPECIAL TO THE NEW YORK TIMES
Published: February 9, 1991
Last spring, an illegally parked Lexus LS 400 made news in Manhattan, where cars are often stolen in a trice. A towing crew of five struggled for an hour to pick the door lock. "Fifty spectators cheered the car," Newsweek reported. Toyota later explained that Lexus LS 400 keys, which are made of an unusual nickel-silver alloy, are difficult to duplicate and the locks are so precisely made that only the correct keys can open them.
As in many new models in recent years, the Lexus door lock is positioned so it cannot be reached with a coat hanger. In any case, the starter is electronically disabled unless the correct key is used. And Toyota has also shielded the internal lock mechanism so that it cannot be opened with a "slim-jim," a blade that thieves, police and parking-lot attendants can slide between the window and rubber gasket to open a door lock. The Lexus LS 400 also contains an alarm, although skillful thieves are not easily deterred by alarms, police officers and insurance companies say.
To help Lexus owners avoid locking their keys in their cars, an electronic system prevents the locks from being activated when the driver's seat is not occupied and the key is in the ignition. Should a key be lost, Lexus says it will deliver a new one within 24 hours. Naturally, the electronic security system helps justify the Lexus LS 400's $40,000 price tag, and the system is costly enough -- Toyota will not say precisely how costly -- so that it will probably not be used in lower-priced models.
By DORON P. LEVIN, SPECIAL TO THE NEW YORK TIMES
Published: February 9, 1991
Last spring, an illegally parked Lexus LS 400 made news in Manhattan, where cars are often stolen in a trice. A towing crew of five struggled for an hour to pick the door lock. "Fifty spectators cheered the car," Newsweek reported. Toyota later explained that Lexus LS 400 keys, which are made of an unusual nickel-silver alloy, are difficult to duplicate and the locks are so precisely made that only the correct keys can open them.
As in many new models in recent years, the Lexus door lock is positioned so it cannot be reached with a coat hanger. In any case, the starter is electronically disabled unless the correct key is used. And Toyota has also shielded the internal lock mechanism so that it cannot be opened with a "slim-jim," a blade that thieves, police and parking-lot attendants can slide between the window and rubber gasket to open a door lock. The Lexus LS 400 also contains an alarm, although skillful thieves are not easily deterred by alarms, police officers and insurance companies say.
To help Lexus owners avoid locking their keys in their cars, an electronic system prevents the locks from being activated when the driver's seat is not occupied and the key is in the ignition. Should a key be lost, Lexus says it will deliver a new one within 24 hours. Naturally, the electronic security system helps justify the Lexus LS 400's $40,000 price tag, and the system is costly enough -- Toyota will not say precisely how costly -- so that it will probably not be used in lower-priced models.
http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=2333747
09-09-08, 08:48 PM
#9
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my family's rental car died out when we were on vacation and had the tow guy come over and slim jim it...but he was tellin me about how to steal cars and he said Lexus is really tricky because you gotta get the timing right, as in the moment you unlock it you gotta open the door handle (for example if your in ur car and its all locked and u try to unlock the door the locks will lock right away) so yeah thats what i know lol
09-09-08, 09:59 PM
#11
Going to steal some cars???
One thing i like about my car is that when i was cleaning the interior and was wipeing down the door i accidently locked the door and it unlocked itself. With the new smart key its almost impossible to lock your keys in.
One thing i like about my car is that when i was cleaning the interior and was wipeing down the door i accidently locked the door and it unlocked itself. With the new smart key its almost impossible to lock your keys in.
09-09-08, 09:59 PM
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depends what you mean by other cars...if you compare to honda, obviously LOL...supposedly (from what I heard from that towing dude) lexus/toyota are not easy to steal, they're harder than a lot of other cars
09-09-08, 10:07 PM
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Out of all the Lexus models, the 1st gen GS 300 was on thieves eyes. You can even see some of the used being sold with the B pillar not lining up.
Outside of that, its a challenge to get inside a Lexus with just a slimjim and I think pretty impossible.
Off course if you smash the glass, well the alarm SHOULD go off. Most Lexus are vandalized, not stolen.
Now if a thief REALLY wants your car, there is nothing you can do they will take it.
You can use a slimjim and break into MANY cars built even up to the late 1990s.
Outside of that, its a challenge to get inside a Lexus with just a slimjim and I think pretty impossible.
Off course if you smash the glass, well the alarm SHOULD go off. Most Lexus are vandalized, not stolen.
Now if a thief REALLY wants your car, there is nothing you can do they will take it.
You can use a slimjim and break into MANY cars built even up to the late 1990s.
09-09-08, 10:28 PM
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Outside of that, its a challenge to get inside a Lexus with just a slimjim and I think pretty impossible
My old Tundra could not be slim jimmed and I was suprised. The tow truck driver had such a hard time getting the truck un locked I was wondering how hard is it is to get a Toyota started
09-09-08, 11:44 PM
#15
Out of all the Lexus models, the 1st gen GS 300 was on thieves eyes. You can even see some of the used being sold with the B pillar not lining up.
Outside of that, its a challenge to get inside a Lexus with just a slimjim and I think pretty impossible.
Off course if you smash the glass, well the alarm SHOULD go off. Most Lexus are vandalized, not stolen.
Outside of that, its a challenge to get inside a Lexus with just a slimjim and I think pretty impossible.
Off course if you smash the glass, well the alarm SHOULD go off. Most Lexus are vandalized, not stolen.
Are you sure the alarm goes off if you smash the glass? As far as I knew it doesn't have a glass breakage sensor or impact/motion sensor. It is only when they open the door or try to start the car will the alarm sound off. At least in the cars up until the very recent 06+ ones. From that year on in the 3rd gen and new LS I don't know much.