# Push-to-start cars can be stolen in seconds **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [December 2, 2023, 3:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948 "2023-12-02T15:04:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 3:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/1 "2023-12-02T15:04:21Z")
> **[Push to start cars can get stolen in seconds — CU Denver researchers are...](https://www.9news.com/article/news/crime/anti-vehicle-theft-device-cu-denver/73-c14d474e-a291-4aac-a1af-39085ac2c35c)** > > CU Denver researchers are developing a device that can prevent thieves from stealing your push to start car, which requires a code to be manually entered. Will a kill switch be theasiest remedy? ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 4:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/2 "2023-12-02T16:20:57Z")
The news article kind of sounds like an advertisement for that particular security system. There are multiple add on security systems for vehicles already. There is one where they run wires though a receptable and the plug is the key. Each one is different so there is no single method to bypass the system. It would take hours to disconnect the receptacle and sort out which wires connect together. ---
**Author:** ![bcohen2010](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bcohen2010](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bcohen2010)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 4:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/3 "2023-12-02T16:27:46Z")
Any car can be stolen in seconds…with a tow truck. Every day I drive around in my work truck, and I see lots of unmarked tow trucks, and some marked with the name or acronym of companies which do nothing but repossess vehicles on behalf of banks and “buy here, pay here” dealers. These people can grab a car within less than a minute, and I have seen it happen more than once. Personally, I would NEVER buy a car with push-to-start, nor any other remote communication devices onboard. I want something which offers the level of technology, and convenience features, found in a mid-1990’s economy car. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 8:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/4 "2023-12-02T20:52:50Z")
Push to start isn’t inherently theft-prone. My Corolla is configured push to start. But best if possession of a unique-to-the-owner physical object (like a key) is required to start and operate the vehicle. Most tech businesses in this area hand out a small electronic security gadget to their employees that allows the employees to work from home and still access the corporate computer system. It displays a 6-8 digit number that changes every few minutes. The employee must enter that number to access the corporate computers. The corporate computers know what that number is at that particular time. I presume every employee’s gadget displays different numbers. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 10:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/5 "2023-12-02T22:32:48Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > My Corolla is configured push to start. What??? Anyway. Just install a IID (ignition interlock system), or as we have discussed on here before, a remote kill switch (toggle) for the starter, I am pretty sure this was discussed over the stolen Kia’s I think it was… Maybe George made a thread about this… Kill power to the vehicle, makes it hard to steal a vehicle that doesn’t start and I don’t think a thief is gonna take the time to do a no crank no start diagnostic in order to steal your car… > [@Simple Car Theft Protection Gadget?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/simple-car-theft-protection-gadget/192382): > > I’d like something simple. I hide a gadget somewhere on the car, and if the car gets stolen, I phone its telephone number, and it tells me its GPS coordinates. Perhaps there is a one time cell-phone connect “pay as you go” fee, but no monthly fee. No bother, not fuss. Is there something like that available? If so, what is the cost for the gadget? & the cost for the one time cell phone connection pay as you go fee? ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 10:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/6 "2023-12-02T22:49:33Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > What??? [how could 92 Corolla be push to start?] Bespoke, home brew… > [@davesmopar](#): > > George made a thread about this… IIRC I was never able to identify a product available in the USA which didn’t involve a recurring fee. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2023, 12:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/7 "2023-12-03T00:03:30Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > IIRC I was never able to identify a product available in the USA which didn’t involve a recurring fee. Just like the in the video I posted (#3 post) a toggle switch has NO recurring fee… > [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > Bespoke, home brew Somehow I don’t think you are understanding the push button start in the OP… It picks up your key fob signal and then, not using a hard key of any kind, you are able to just push a start button on the dash, console or wherever the OEM’s installed it to start your vehicle… This is not like a remote start you can have cause your ignition lock cylinder or switch etc went bad and you are to cheap to repair it… Yes lots of race cars and hot rods use push button start to start there vehicle, but anybody can hop in and start them without a fob… > [@Robert-Gift](#): > > Will a kill switch be theasiest remedy? Done correctly Yes… ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2023, 7:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/8 "2023-12-03T19:32:39Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > I don’t think you are understanding the push button start in the OP… It picks up your key fob signal and then, not using a hard key of any kind, you are able to just push a start button on the dash, console or wherever the OEM’s installed it to start your vehicle… Thanks for the clarification. However my custom method provides the same function, except it uses a key instead of a fob. The fob method requires a specific physical fob to start the car. My method requires a specific physical key. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2023, 7:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/9 "2023-12-03T19:57:24Z")
Vehicles with mechanical ignitions are more frequently stolen. Below is a list of top ten vehicles stolen for 2021, most frequent model year and number of thefts shown. [These Are The 10 Top Most Stolen Vehicles In Each State | Carscoops](https://www.carscoops.com/2022/08/these-are-the-10-top-most-stolen-vehicles-by-each-state/) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/7/0/70f2b1091a98027244d08423fe5586f983cf62da.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2023, 8:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/10 "2023-12-03T20:08:49Z")
It must be pretty easy. I recall you saying you routinely have to start the engines of customer’s cars in your shop, even drive them from one area to another, during the repair process, cars that you don’t have any keys for. You presumably have the advantage of the doors being open. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2023, 8:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/11 "2023-12-03T20:16:34Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > I recall you saying you routinely have to start the engines of customer’s cars in your shop, On occasion when a vehicle blocked a driveway, that was 25 years ago when vehicles lacked immobilizers. > [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > You presumably have the advantage of the doors being open. Thieves’ open windows with a rock. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 1:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/12 "2023-12-04T01:53:07Z")
**My 52 Plymouth was push to start. The starter died and it was 4 days to payday. I was young and broke and they did not hand out credit cards to people like me back then ,so for 4 days I pushed the car down the street with the key on, jumped in and popped it into gear,** ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 4:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/13 "2023-12-04T04:57:24Z")
LOL. I saw “push to start” in the thread title and was thinking “duh…” - activate the ignition, push it to get it going an pop the clutch. I’m not “oldtimer” enough to have been in a '52 Plymouth. But I did once have a '64 Ford…among a few other vehicles than sometimes required the old bump start. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2023, 6:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/14 "2023-12-04T18:55:04Z")
My first car memory was a ‘push to start’ '55 Studebaker. My dad had added a push button because the ignition lock had worn out. 4-year old me got in and pushed the button when the car was sitting in the driveway. Dad came running, QUICK! ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2023, 3:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/15 "2023-12-05T03:06:19Z")
@George_San_Jose1 I seem to remember you were having problems with your 1992 Corolla ignition switch a few years ago and rather than replacing it, you installed one of these . . . ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/8/3/83eadc1bb4eb09ca9ff714895036e56d96113b4c.png) ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2023, 8:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/16 "2023-12-05T20:52:21Z")
The “start” position on the Corolla was getting iffy. The main objective of the “start” rewiring job was to install a relay so the" 'start" position contact didn’t have to handle the entire starter motor solenoid current. The push-button was a whim. I start the Corolla using the push button, but it is wired up so that it can still be started the normal way, with the key in the “start” position,. The relay installation solved the iffy “start” position problem. ---
**Author:** ![wentwest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wentwest/32/6073_2.png) [@wentwest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wentwest)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2023, 9:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/17 "2023-12-05T21:15:16Z")
The easiest push-to-start car ever was the old VW bug. You could roll it fast enough even just sitting in the drivers seat and pushing with your left leg. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2023, 9:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/18 "2023-12-05T21:31:16Z")
> [@wentwest](#): > > The easiest push-to-start car ever was the old VW bug. When traveling from Manhattan to NJ, the Lincoln Tunnel has a fairly long downhill stretch. My brother used to shut-off his '64 Bug’s engine, and would coast down that downhill stretch. Just before the uphill stretch began, he would push the clutch pedal, engage 3rd gear, and then let-up on the clutch. I think that he probably saved about 3 cents worth of gas by doing this. 😏 ---
**Author:** ![RandomTroll](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/randomtroll/32/12184_2.png) [@RandomTroll](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RandomTroll)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2023, 10:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/19 "2023-12-05T22:19:57Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > he probably saved about 3 cents worth of gas by doing this. But they were the sweetest 3¢ he ever made. ---
**Author:** ![Robert-Gift](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/robert-gift/32/356_2.png) [@Robert-Gift](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Robert-Gift)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2023, 5:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948/20 "2023-12-31T17:34:56Z")
> [@VDCdriver](#): > > > [@wentwest](#): > > > > The easiest push-to-start car ever was the old VW bug. > > _When traveling from Manhattan to NJ, the Lincoln Tunnel has a fairly long downhill stretch. My brother used to shut-off his '64 Bug’s engine, and would coast down that downhill stretch. Just before the uphill stretch began, he would push the clutch pedal, engage 3rd gear, and then let-up on the clutch._ > > _I think that he probably saved about 3 cents worth of gas by doing this._ When I did that in my 1961 **Volvo 544** , a friend called me the cheapest SOB hever met. As a registered tree hugger and Greenie, I did ito savexpensive fuel and reduce air pollution. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/push-to-start-cars-can-be-stolen-in-seconds/193948.md?page=2)