After a couple of years without a Landrover on my drive, I am picking up a 2013 FL2 today (woohoo)

After watching watchdogs report on keyless security I am a bit concerned about how long it will stay on my drive. Is it really that easy to steal keyless cars and what do you guys do to prevent it.

I saw part of the Watchdog report. It seemed that in order to activate the 'New key', by whatever means, that access to the interior/engine compartment was required? Does this mean that if the vehicle is double locked that a thief would have to break in first?

keyless, keys, smart cards, cars linked to smart phones, steering locks

they are all able to be stolen, nothings changed, just the methods they are using Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

In order to be able to programme a blank key any thief has to be able to access the inside of the car.

Reading various threads and posts, it seems there are two vulnerabilities at play in the current theft of cars by programming keys, one of which is in control of the owner.

The first is gaining access to the car, I believe this is done by intercepting the locking process by jamming the radio signal between car and key. The owner my then walk away not realising the car is not locked.

The second is the fact the OBD port is live even though the car doesn't have a key present. This then allows someone to programme a new, blank key after gaining access to the car.

In terms of gaining access, a thief may set off the alarm and when the owner resets it, jam the signal, or do the jamming part when the owner parks up (which could be at home. work or anywhere where the thief waits for a potential car to arrive). From what I can see, any owner should ensure their car is locked before leaving it. On the Freelander, I like the fact it folds the mirrors when it locks so you end up with a easy visual check. Some may walk away, particularly with a key that doesn't require pressing to lock the car, without some form of check it has actually locked.

In terms of OBD port access, surely the answer is to ensure the port is isolated unless activated by a key. This is in the hands of the manufacturers.

On the Freelander, I believe the OBD port is not live (although it does have a permanent 12v supply) when the car is switched off by the ignition, so isn't prone to the type of theft other vehicles are experiencing.

The above is my understanding of matters, I hope I am correct.

pjbnet - I hope that helps and it puts your mind at rest. Enjoy the car, let us see some photos! 2016 BMW X3 30d SE in red
MY2013 SD4 XS Firenze Red, 19" 10 spoke contrast paint wheels, Signature Strips, Grand Black Lacquer trim, Cold Climate Pack - gone!
2007 TD4 S Stornoway Grey - gone!

A good credible explanation , like yourself I always glance at the mirrors folding for confirmation that the signal has been received to lock. Not foolproof I know but if jammed its a good indication something's amiss.

I too was a bit alarmed (no pun intended) by Watchdog as I have just swapped in my FL2 for a new, keyless start one. Information I was given was that the vulnerable cars are the ones where you just approach the car with key on your person, press the door button and get in, not ones that you still unlock with a key fob.
It would appear there is a lot of mis-information from all the manufacturers with this problem.
I would hope we can get a statement from the top, at Land Rover.

On another subject, I traded my three year old FL2 as I regarded it as a brilliant all round vehicle and wanted to grab another one before they disappear.
2014 SE SD4 and 1972 Series3 88" truck. I didn't get where I am today by being sensible!

Don't hold your breath re "a statement from the top". If they did that, they would be admitting there was a problem. Until they have a decent fix I guess they will keep Mum.  10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

I would purchase a steering wheel auto lock device as added piece of mind as a car thief would just look and walk away as there too much trouble to remove it also keeps the insurance company happy.

I was going to purchase a new 2013 Freelander but decided to wait for the new replacement model the discovery sport looks better then the range rover evoke in my opinion.

Check this out shows a video how the criminal access your car etc.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-26...ieves.html

I watched my plumber cut through a 100mm wide solid stainless steel shower floor grate using a Makita battery powered angle grinder. 60 seconds later..........

I know you can cut a standard auto lock off in minutes as i had to remove one as my wife lost the key to hers. I have now purchased a full disk lock steering wheel. I had to modify the inside with foam padding as it was pressing the horn buttons.

2013MY Freelander is not keyless entry. You have a fob to activate and deactivate door locks in the usual way and then the start sequence simply requires the key to be in the car (in pocket, handbag, briefcase, etc).
This is no different from previous generations and while there are scanners that an pick up on the fob signal to the car and capture it. I don't think there is an increased risk with 2013MY.
Having said that, because this car cost more and I got a deal on a tracker through G4 challenge owners club, I have fitted one! Gone... 2013 XS TD4 Manual Firenze Red
Gone... 2008 (09MY) XS Td4 Manual Stornaway Grey
Prior... 2003 G4 Discovery 2, 1998 Disco 1 and 1997 Disco 1 Company car before that
Also gone in Nov'13, after 7.5 yrs, to new owners with time for more TLC - 1980 Series III 88
Current 2015 Discovery Sport HSE 2.0

What I want to know is, what software is available so I can program my own spare keys?

If these thieves can do it with a laptop and an OBD cable then surely I could as well and get myself a few spares cheaper than what LR would charge. I only have 1 key so a few spares wouldn't go amiss.

I recall this being possible on an older Fiat I owned but the software I had installed on my laptop didn't have the optional licence to program keys and so it was locked out until I paid the developer.

http://www.ecutool.com/SuperOBD-SKP-100-Ha...11069.html will program a new key if you have an existing one.

I'm guessing that what is actually being done to steal the cars is that the car's ECU is being reset and put into a mode where it will accept new keys.

Yep, they're not programming a new key to your car, they're resetting the ECU to a known key.

A few years ago Fiats (& Renaults?) used to supply 3 keys. One was red, you kept the red on in a safe place as this had to be present when you programmed the ECU to accept a new key. If you lost the red key and damaged the other two it was time to buy a new ECU, as no further keys could be prgrammed.

Seems we have taken a step backwards, where anyone with a programming device can just drive off with your pride and joy. Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner