Stop Keyless Car Theft — Free instructions for your car

What the coloured labels mean

Automatic

Best — nothing to rememberThe key fob switches itself off when left still. Protection is always on.

Temporary

Turn off when you chooseDisable keyless entry overnight or on holiday. You repeat it each time.

Permanent

Switch it off for goodDisable keyless entry completely if you never use it.

Why your car is at risk

Most of us leave our car keys near the front door — only a short distance from the car outside. Thieves use cheap equipment to boost the signal from your keyless fob so it reaches the car and unlocks it, even if the keys are on the far side of your house. This is called a relay attack, and it lets them drive off in under a minute, silently.

You don't need an expensive gadget to stop this. Car makers already built in a "secret switch" so you can disable keyless entry yourself. The instructions above show exactly which buttons to press for your car.

Got more than one fob? Do it for each one.

Common questions

If I disable keyless entry, how do I get into my car?

You simply press the unlock button on your key fob, like cars have done for years. "Keyless" (or "passive") entry just means the car unlocks automatically when the fob is nearby — turning it off only removes that automatic part. Pressing the button still works normally.

Can thieves copy my fob's button signal instead?

You almost certainly don't need to worry about this. The lock and unlock signals are different, and they change each time. Copying your "lock" signal would only let someone lock the car. And you only press "unlock" when you're about to get in and drive away — so a thief would have to follow you. Relay theft is popular precisely because it's low-effort and low-risk; this isn't.

What about a Faraday pouch, or keeping keys far away?

A Faraday pouch can block the signal, but they're easy to forget and often stop working over time. Keeping keys across the house doesn't help much — the signal can still be relayed. Disabling keyless entry at the fob is more reliable and costs nothing.

What other protection can I add?

Mechanical wheel lock (e.g. Thatcham-approved) — visible deterrent that makes any theft method harder.
Ghost immobiliser — adds a hidden PIN layer. Effective but costs money to fit.
Lock the OBD data port — stops thieves plugging in to program a new key.
Tracker — won't stop the theft but may help recovery.
Note: the factory immobiliser fitted to all cars since 1998 does not stop relay attacks — the car is fooled into thinking your real key is present.

My car isn't listed, or the steps are wrong

This is a free community project and the list is always growing. If you can confirm the method for your model — or spot a correction — please add it on GitHub. Some entries are marked "to be confirmed"; always double-check against your own car's manual.