Stolen! Key fob cloning theft method used to steal 2025 4Runner 6th gen

[juan mesa]

Hey - there is going to be a Master Certified Ravelco Technician doing an install on a 4Runner on Sept 24 on the northshore of Chicago near Northbrook IL.
If you live here in the area you may know how hard it is to get an install here in the Chicago area.
9,000,000 installs worldwide since 1976 and ZERO driveway thefts.
Recommended by AAA and used by US Defense Dept, major fleet operators and a lot of people who really like to keep their car where they parked it.

Key cloning, relay attack, swapping out a PCM or RF Module, etc. cannot defeat it.
Basically you need a Large Helicopter or for the wimpy thieves - a flatbed tow truck.
I'm not getting paid to tell you all this. Just figured if you need one of these and they are here...

Chuck Whigham and his wife Megan come highly recommended for their care, expertise and professionalism.
You can look them up.

Here's their information I got off their website if you want to schedule something the week of September 21st.

Mid-Atlantic Ravelco, LLC
426 Main Street, #158
Spotswood, NJ 08884-1702
Direct Line: 732-309-2761
Toll-Free: 877-662-9727
Mid-AtlanticRavelco.com
[email protected]
Zero Defeated - Made in the USA - Since 1976 - Over 9 Million Installs Worldwide - Lifetime Warranty

Thank you.
Unfortunately I live in Ontario Canada 1 hour away from Toronto.

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[4Rgurl]

My husband and I live in a nice house in a not so nice neighborhood in California. So, I hid an apple air tag inside and always leave my wheel lock on.

Could someone still go as far as to saw off the wheel lock? Sure but I’m hoping it’s enough of a deterrent and hassle they rather not deal with.

 

[juan mesa]

My husband and I live in a nice house in a not so nice neighborhood in California. So, I hid an apple air tag inside and always leave my wheel lock on.

Could someone still go as far as to saw off the wheel lock? Sure but I’m hoping it’s enough of a deterrent and hassle they rather not deal with.

I definitely agree with you!! I’m still waiting for my 4Runner to get it back from the body shop, two months waiting for parts, I bought exactly same wheel lock and I’m going to install a immobilizer ( Ghost)
Thanks

 

[4Rgurl]

I’m just trying to prevent anything that they can use to steal the truck.
Here in Canada ( Ontario) it has been a big problem stealing Toyota vehicles, they are the top 3 vehicles to steal, so an extra layer of protection does hurt.

that’s interesting, here in California I think Kia’s are stolen the most. Apparently they are very easy to steal. My friend said one time she was at grocery store parking lot and couldn’t get into her Kia for a while. She said her key fob wasn’t working. She also noticed a car parked next to hers with two men inside. According to her they seemed a bit sus. She said as soon as they saw her struggling with her key fob they drove off and miraculously when they left her fob worked.

 

[juan mesa]

that’s interesting, here in California I think Kia’s are stolen the most. Apparently they are very easy to steal. My friend said one time she was at grocery store parking lot and couldn’t get into her Kia for a while. She said her key fob wasn’t working. She also noticed a car parked next to hers with two men inside. According to her they seemed a bit sus. She said as soon as they saw her struggling with her key fob they drove off and miraculously when they left her fob worked.

Yes that’s exactly how is done here in Canada, or if you leave your key fob close to the entrance of your house, that’s how mine got stolen! Is so weird that Kia is one of the most stolen in the USA, here in Canada is the least stolen one, Lexus, Toyota, and Honda are by far the most stolen vehicles, in the last couple of years it has been a huge problem it got to Point that they even break into your house to get the key fob, most of the vehicles stolen they shipped them somewhere to Africa

 

[thirstyross]

I think Kia’s are stolen the most

This used to be true, because for some insane reason, Kia and Hyundai never included factory immobilizers (like every other car manufacturer) until 2022/2023. The incredible amount of thefts finally forced them to add immobilizers to the latest models.

 

[Formidable]

Went with IGLA on my Durango hellcat due to this exact issue. Need to enter a pin to start the car. Disappointed to hear it’s a problem on the 4Runners as well. I guess I’ll be installing IGLA on this vehicle as well

 

[Joe Dirt]

Yeah the Canadians can be very elaborate in their Chop Shop tactics, meaning they basically pull them into garages that are well lined with blocking GPS frequencies. Canada is a beautiful country but, I just don't trust any of their practices nor do I like their fuel! But I do like their maple syrup!

 

[6thGen1419]

This is exactly why i installed an aftermarket immobilizer. Ain't no-one getting my 4runner unless they put it on a flatbed.

Sorry about ur loss

Putting FOB into battery saving mode stops it from transmitting and hence can't be cloned while in battery saving mode. Owners manual page 146 says:

When battery-saving mode is set,

battery depletion is minimized by

stopping the electronic key from

receiving radio waves.

Press UNLOCK twice while pressing and

holding LOCK.

Confirm that the electronic key indicator flashes 4 times.

While the battery-saving mode is

set, the smart key system cannot be

used. To cancel the function, press

any of the electronic key buttons.

 

[thirstyross]

Putting FOB into battery saving mode stops it from transmitting and hence can't be cloned while in battery saving mode. Owners manual page 146 says:

When battery-saving mode is set,

battery depletion is minimized by

stopping the electronic key from

receiving radio waves.

Press UNLOCK twice while pressing and

holding LOCK.

Confirm that the electronic key indicator flashes 4 times.

While the battery-saving mode is

set, the smart key system cannot be

used. To cancel the function, press

any of the electronic key buttons.

See the other posts in this thread, it is possible to program a new key for a car without cloning the original. It takes a bit longer so it's not usually the first choice of thieves, but it can be done.

 

[6thGen1419]

See the other posts in this thread, it is possible to program a new key for a car without cloning the original. It takes a bit longer so it's not usually the first choice of thieves, but it can be done.

It can be done, but requires physical access to the car and interior, yes?

 

[6thGen1419]

It takes a bit longer than key cloning, but thieves can program the vehicle to accept a new key (ie. if they can't read your fob they can just program a new key in a couple minutes). There are videos of locksmiths doing this on youtube, they can generate new fobs pretty quickly.

Programming the vehicle requires physical access.

 

[thirstyross]

They have physical access in most cases, just like they do when they clone keys.

 

[6thGen1419]

They have physical access in most cases, just like they do when they clone keys.

Cloning a key fob doesn't require physical access, just proximity to an active key fob. Putting the key fob into battery save mode prevents it from being cloned.

 

[6thGen1419]

Our key fobs are continuously emitting rfid signals. I bought a small key fob pouch that blocks rfid which everyone has been talking about in here for my key. I always have it in there and pull it out when I get to my car. You know it works when the doors won’t open when you get near the car bc the pouch is blocking the signal. I know it’s not perfect as a method but it helps reduce the risk. That’s all we can do. Reduce risk.

You can turn off the FOB from transmitting (prevent FOB cloning) by putting it into "battery save mode". Hold down LOCK while pressing UNLOCK twice. The LED will flash four times total to confirm it's in BSM. When I take the FOB to the car, the doors won't open until the FOB is activated again by pressing UNLOCK.

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