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Sedans Acura TSX Acura TSX Security System Questions
87 messages, Last post on Oct 29, 2009 at 12:32 PM
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Replying to: softwareguy (Oct 07, 2005 9:01 am) The first time they took my manuals and registration, the dealer told me that was strange and not to worry about it. This last time they took gum and my badge at work because I have NOTHING in my car. Have you gotten any answers? I'd love to hear what you have done -- I have not reported any of them to the police, because nothing significant was taken, but I am curious about how many other people are having this problem. Thanks for posting.
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Replying to: softwareguy (Oct 07, 2005 9:01 am) |
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Replying to: sfpdf (Nov 08, 2005 4:52 pm) I don't know where you park your car, but it seems to me that the best solution for you would be to store the car in a more secure location. I've been through this myself with other cars, and it truly sucks, but I don't think any security system is going to foil a determined thief. It sure isn't the dealerships issue. I think the fact that they offered to work with you on the price of the glovebox is a show of good faith. Acura USA should never be abusive to one of its customers, regardless of the issue at hand. Good luck getting your problem resolved. |
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Replying to: lpretzer (Nov 02, 2005 11:30 am) Sorry to hear you've been a victim too. You were broken into during the night, right? Where did you purchase and get it serviced? I purchased in Oakland, but get services done at Marin Acura. I've spoken to both dealers now. It's a known issue. Which ever dealer told you that it's strange and not to worry is full of it. Here's what these two dealers told me they think is happening: 1: (Marin Acura) Someone has copied the remote code that unlocks my car (also know as "code grabbing" - research it on the Web). This dealer suggested that I just use my key to lock/unlock the car and don't use the remote. OR 2: (Oakland Acura) Someone has an Acura master key to this model. They suggested I "be more careful" about where I park my car. -Thanks, never thought about that! Based on the research I've done, I think Marin Acura has it right -code grabbing is the most likely and easiest. Who's doing it though? I find it hard to believe that someone is just waiting in your 'hood for you to come by and press your remote and grab the code, then open up the car at night. My theory is that it's an inside job. Someone at the dealer's service dept has one of these code-grabbing devices and copies the code while it's in for service. How did I come up with this? 1: They have plenty of time to do it while no one is looking, plus they have access to your home address so they'll know where to find your car in the middle of the night. 2: When I first had my car serviced at Marin Acura, the technician who worked with me seemed to be REALLY interested in which part of The City I lived and particularly if I parked in a garage or not. I thought he was just making conversation, but within 2 months, I had my first break in. 3: They only stole stuff a car enthusiast would want. Suggested fixes: 1: Don't leave anything of value in your car. I know it's a pain, but I don't even leave my manual or registration in the car any more. 2: Get the code changed on your car by the dealer. I'm not sure how much it costs, but if it IS an inside job, they're just going to copy it again. 3: Get an after market alarm that uses a random code EACH time your unlock/lock your car. Currently, there are not code-grabbing devices that can beat this system. I purchased a Clifford system (~$600 installed) and I'm very pleased with it. Good luck, let me know how you do or if you have other questions. Yes, this is a bitch, but you've got to love everything else about the TSX!
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Replying to: sfpdf (Nov 08, 2005 4:52 pm) See my recent response to the gal in PacHeights that has the same issue. Thanks for the tip on locking the glove box. I lock it out of spite, thinking that they won't bother with it, but you've proved me wrong. You're doing the right thing by taking anything valuable with you as you exit the car. I would also suggest that you get an after market system. I got a Clifford and am happy with it. I wasn't happy about spending extra $$ for this, but I feel better knowing that some punk's plan to use his special electronic device to enter my car is foiled. The Acura alarm system is an Anti-theft system, not a true security system. It will help guard against theft, but does little to prevent break ins. The after market systems use random codes each time you lock the car. -Unlike the Acura system which uses a single code, which can be copied by a code-grabbing device. Being a premium brand, you'd think that Acura would have included this anti-code grabbing technology, but I guess it takes a while for the industry to catch up with the thugs out there. |
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Replying to: sfpdf (Nov 08, 2005 4:52 pm) on Noe about the beginning of October, via the homemade master key. The dude stole my work bag with laptop, didn't have much else in the car. Last month SF police caught the guy. He was using a homemade master key to get into the car [late model acuras], then would look for the valet key to steal the car. Send me a note and I can give you more info if you need it.
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Replying to: kennethsf (Dec 11, 2005 2:03 pm) I'd be particularly interested to find out if 1) the police recovered any other stuff, if you know, and 2) if you spoke with either/both of Acura USA or your dealership and if they said anything helpful. |
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Replying to: softwareguy (Oct 07, 2005 9:01 am) thats weird this is happening only in SF...... 
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| Also, when buying the car, should I install any other anti-theft device? Is this a frequently stolen or broken into car? The elevated door locks bother me; I am used to them dropping into the door. Not sure if this makes a difference. | |
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I expect the alarm to go off if the car is entered by some means other than a key or the authorized alarm. Look, I'm sure a physics Ph.d. from Cal Tech could come up with all types of novel ways to foil the ani-theft device which would likely cost Acura millions of dollars to protect against, but I think that the people who have found some way to override this alarm are just some low level street thugs who might otherwise break in a window. I suspect that Acura could modify the alarm with relative ease and at reasonable cost, at least when you consider how many of their customers are at risk. btw, I live on a nice middle class street in Noe Valley; other than commuting to my car in Presidio Heights (which I don't think is going to be more secure anyway; one of the posters lived in Pac Heights), I don't think that there is much I can do. There are virtually no pay parking spots to be had in my neighborhood. And anyway, isn't this why someone buys an anti-theft system in the first place? I appreciate your good wishes at least. |
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