Skip to main content

Tesla warns owners to protect against car thieves using key fobs

Tesla recently emailed Model S, Model X, and Model 3 owners advising them to protect their vehicles from thieves who exploit the cars’ passive entry feature, according to Electrek.

As is the case with vehicles from other brands that allow entry without touching a key or pushing a button on a remote, Tesla’s system is vulnerable to thieves who use relay attacks.

Recommended Videos

A passive entry system is a convenience feature that allows anyone with an associated programmable key, key fob, or key card to enter and start a vehicle. As long as the key fob is in close enough proximity to the vehicle, usually within a few feet, you can leave it in your pocket, purse, or bag, enter the car, and, with many brands, push a button inside the vehicle to start the engine and drive. Usually, the key has to be actually in the car to drive it away, even in vehicles with remote start capability.

In a relay attack, a car thief uses a device that captures the weak wireless signal from a nearby digital key. The device, sometimes called a “relay box,” boosts the strength of the captured signal and sends it — relays it — to another device close to the target vehicle, enabling the thief to enter the vehicle. If all the thief wants to do is steal the contents of the vehicle, that could be the end of it. If the thief wants to take the car, they need an additional method of starting it, such as reprogramming the car via the vehicle diagnostic port or using the captured signal with another device to create a duplicate digital key.

More about U.S. car theft

To steal a Tesla, thieves would also have to find a way to disable or block the car’s GPS signal. Otherwise, owners could track the vehicle with a mobile app and inform the police, which has happened often.

In the email to owners, Tesla focused on preventing vehicle entry: “You can decrease the likelihood of unauthorized entry by disabling Passive Entry when parked in public spaces or storing your key in a holder which blocks electromagnetic transmissions, such as an RFID-blocking sleeve or Faraday cage.”

Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown Contributing Editor   As a Contributing Editor to the Auto teams at Digital Trends and TheManual.com, Bruce…
Why some Teslas are losing tax credits, and which cars still qualify
Tesla's Model 3 refresh, codenamed Highland, features a sleeker front.

 

It looks like Tesla's federal tax credit status could change pretty significantly in the near future.

Read more
Tesla’s charger won. What EV buyers and owners need to know about NACS
Tesla Supercharger

The electric vehicle space is changing, and quick. While only a few months ago the majority of EV makers used the J1772 connector for Level 2 charging, and the CCS connector for DC fast charging, in a few years that may be completely different. Why? Many of the top carmakers have announced the switch to the North American Charging Standard, or NACS -- also known best as "the Tesla plug."

Curious about what this means for you? Here's everything you need to know.
What is the NACS
The NACS is a charging standard for a connector that was created by Tesla and first used on Tesla cars in 2012. The standard is also used on all Tesla charging stations, allowing Tesla drivers to charge their cars at Superchargers, Destination Chargers, and using the Tesla Wall Connector. Tesla announced that it was opening the standard up to other carmakers.
Which cars currently use the NACS connector?
Currently, all Tesla cars make use of the NACS connector, allowing Tesla drivers to charge their cars at any Tesla-branded charging station, or other charging stations with the use of an adapter.

Read more
Ford EV drivers can use 12,000 Tesla Superchargers starting in 2024
A Tesla Supercharger.

Drivers of Ford’s electric vehicles (EVs) will find charging them a little easier starting next spring after Tesla on Thursday promised the availability of 12,000 of its Superchargers across the U.S. and Canada.

The move will double the number of fast-chargers currently available to Ford’s EV owners.

Read more