Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: Autoblog shows how to unlock your car with a cell phone]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/01/video-autoblog-shows-how-to-unlock-your-car-with-a-cell-phone/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/01/video-autoblog-shows-how-to-unlock-your-car-with-a-cell-phone/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/01/video-autoblog-shows-how-to-unlock-your-car-with-a-cell-phone/#commentsFiled under: , ,


NOTE: After reading some of the excellent comments on this post, we decided to test this again from 30 miles away... and it didn't work. We're going to retest at a different location but similar distance to see what gave us the positive test. Stay tuned.


About a month ago my brother sent me an email explaining that if a friend or family member has the second key fob for your car, you can call them up on your cell phone, ask them to hold the key fob up to the phone, press the unlock button, and your car door will unlock. In theory, the sound waves from the key fob, which are unintelligible to the human ear, will be transmitted via the cell phone, and the doors will unlock. Well, we've seen enough spam emails before that were full of it, but we decided to see for ourselves if this works.

When we tested this theory, we were stunned to find out that it actually works. I was so excited that I pulled out the wife and daughter outside to shoot a quick video on the front lawn. Before getting this on camera, we tested it five times, and it worked every time but one. There was a lot of traffic during the one failed test, so our best guess is that the noise from the passing cars negated the sound from the key fob signal.

Mad props to the wife for getting eaten alive by bugs and keeping the camera still at the same time (for the most part). Hit the jump to check it out, it's pretty damn cool. Test this out with a friend or spouse, too, and let us know if it worked for you.


Continue reading VIDEO: Autoblog shows how to unlock your car with a cell phone

VIDEO: Autoblog shows how to unlock your car with a cell phone originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jun 2007 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoblogcell phoneCellPhonefreestylekey fobKeyFoblost keysLostKeysunlockvideoFri, 01 Jun 2007 12:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Mazda3 may be vulnerable to break-ins]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/19/mazda3-may-be-vulnerable-to-break-ins/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/19/mazda3-may-be-vulnerable-to-break-ins/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/19/mazda3-may-be-vulnerable-to-break-ins/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



We debated on posting this because we always seem to get nailed in the comments for advertising a new way to break the law, but we feel it's important information for Mazda3 owners and we're encouraged by Mazda's reaction to the situation so far. First the deets: it appears that a few owners of the Mazda3 have come back to their vehicles to find their valuables missing but no visible signs of breaking and entering like shattered glass or broken locks. The only clue left by thieves is a big dent in the front passenger door. Canadian website MobileMag.com got the skinny from an anonymous Mazda dealer that if one hits the passenger door hard in just the right spot it will affect the lock assembly mechanism and unlock the doors. Mystery solved.

Mazda has been aware of and working on this issue since October of 2006, and this month it began installing a "countermeasure" in all Mazda3s being built in Japan. For those who have already had their cars broken into, in some cases Mazda has agreed to install a reinforced door lock assembly and a protective plate to prevent the same break-in from happening again, though it has not offered to repair the dents. At this point, Mazda does not consider this "trick" a defect in the product and it hasn't decided whether or not all Mazda3s will be called back to have the countermeasure installed.

We think they should be voluntary called back and have the countermeasures installed. While a thief will get into your vehicle one way or another if he wants to, being able to do it without smashing glass or looking terribly suspicious makes the Mazda3 a much more tempting target. Still, no one should leave valuables out in the open and give criminals a reason to target your vehicle.

Thanks for the tip, Rich!

[Source: MobileMag.com]

Mazda3 may be vulnerable to break-ins originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>break inbreak-inBreakIncrimecriminallock assemblyLockAssemblylocksmazda3stolenthievesunlockFri, 19 Jan 2007 17:32:00 EST