How Does The "Anti-Theft" System Work

All Prius models (at least, 2004+ if not all) have the "immobilizer" feature by means of an electronic key. The car cannot move unless the computers say so, and they won't say so unless they recognize the correct security code from an authorized key (paired to that specific vehicle).

Some option packages offer an integrated alarm system. This will sound the horn and flash the lights if the car detects an unauthorized opening of any of the doors. It does NOT include a shock (vibration) sensor or the like; it merely detects unauthorized entry by door.

On top of the alarm option, you can also install the glass breakage sensor. It listtens for the sound of breaking glass and will trigger the same alarm (horn + lights) if someone smashes your window (instead of opening the door).

Neither alarm option provides any more *car* theft security than the immobilizer, but the immobilizer does not alert anyone nearby that someone has opened the door or smashed your window -- probably trying to get to your personal belongings more than stealing the car itself.

 

Your package should include the built-in alarm system. The glass breakage detector can be added by the dealer.

If you are interested in a car retrieval system, consider adding a trunk monkey, as shown in the following video: http://www.trunkmonkey.com/content/view/44/51/

Tom

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wrprice @ Mar 16 2007, 03:40 AM) [snapback]406679[/snapback]</div>

OK, maybe I'm stating the obvious, but isn't the "Vehicle Immobilizer System" just a fancy way of saying, "The car won't start without a key"? And then, don't all (or most) cars have this? Yes, the Prius has a fancy electronic fob thingy (the technical term, BTW), but all cars made these days have keys involved in the starting process. So, what am I missing? Is the Prius system something more/different?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boulder Bum @ Mar 16 2007, 01:28 AM) [snapback]406681[/snapback]</div>

Yes, that will make the alarm horn beep.

BTW a similar security system is also present on the earlier model Prius.

 

In addition to honking if you try to reach in and unlock or open the doors, it will also immediately relock the doors. This makes it real difficult to slip in a slim jim, rod, coat hanger, or whatever through the weather seal and unlock the door.

So, be warned that if you ever lock your key in the car (which is very difficult to do but is possible... I've managed to do it) then the tow truck driver will not be able to unlock it with their normal tools.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Betelgeuse @ Mar 16 2007, 08:18 AM) [snapback]406717[/snapback]</div>

No, it's very different. You are correct in that more and more cars are adding this, and some have had it for a few years (the anti-Prius below had it in 2000). What it does is the fob "decoder" (I forget the proper term and am too lazy to look it up) sends an electronic message to the HSD system telling it to start, allowing the engine to fire the spark and inject fuel -but only- if it sees one of the fobs it has been programmed to accept. Further, even if you change the decoder to one that is set for your thief fob, the ECU must be programmed to recognize the decoder. That can only be done by a dealer. Of course, the thief could change both the ECU and decoder with a matched programmed set, but that would take a lot of time and would be expensive to get set up. There are a lot of easier cars to steal out there. This IS being done now by thieves going after expensive cars, such as Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes.

You can hot wire the car to crank the engine over, but it will not start. You can't even push start it. In fact, with the Prius, you can't even move the car without putting the front wheels on dollies, because the parking pawl will not disengage until the car is "on" and it can't be turned on without the fob.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Mar 16 2007, 09:11 AM) [snapback]406710[/snapback]</div>

lol!!!!!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Mar 16 2007, 12:02 PM) [snapback]406786[/snapback]</div>

No, it's exactly the same as any other Toyota immobilizer system, and works identically to just about every other immobilizer system out there.

The key has a code in it that must match up with the system in the car. No match, no ignition. In the case of the Prius, no ready.

My 02 Odyssey has Honda's immobilizer system. Without the right key, the car will crank all day but the ignition remains off. And this is done using a regular key start system.

This is not rocket science, and what Betelgeuse says is correct, and the Prius system is no different than any other system out there.

 

I think you are wrong. Adam. You may know Hondas, you may even work for Honda, but the integrated Toyota system found in the Prius, and other HSD vehicles, is not the same as immobilizers found on other vehicles.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Mar 18 2007, 10:39 PM) [snapback]408235[/snapback]</div>

i agree. the HSD system and the fob system make this care pretty unique.

 

It's really not that complicated. They made the car so ugly nobody will ever want to steal it.

 

My 05 anti theft system remains on all the time and runs the 12 volt system down.Is there any way to store a prius without running down the 2volt battery

 

anyone with 1200.00 to spend can assign 2 more keys to your prius
you only need the 4 digit numeric (!!!) password to the immobilizer if you want to delete all the keys and start over..

that's pretty messed up the whole encryption rolling code is guarded by a backdoor password thats only 4 digits long

all immobilizer systems have backdoors to them, just because the prius isn't suspectible to being stolen today
does not mean it will stay that way.

i had a vehicle immobilizer in my 1995 toyota pickup truck. turns out every single toyota pickup truck at the dealers lot had the same
code to it.

if the vehicle immobilizer is so secure, then i think our insurance companies are overcharging us

the original poster wanted information about the vehicles anti theft system, and the rest of us are all off topic. lets stick to the original topic please.

 

The "backdoor" may be true but you still have to have a Toyota scantool to enter it.

 

The "backdoor" may be true but you still have to have a Toyota scantool to enter it

the back door IS TRUE. and that is what the 1200.00 is for

the procedure describing assigning the 2 spare keys, and needing the car's 4 digit numeric pin if you lose all keys is in the toyota repair manuals. if your prius is older then ... 2006 or 2005? you dont even need the scantool if you have someones master key.. the car will copy it for you with no scan tool at all

 

back to the original topic
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the package #3 prius has a anti theft system that will cause an alarm if someone forces open the hood or any of the doors when it is armed. in order for it to be armed it needs to be locked first. however this can be changed from active to passive. for $165.00 more you can get a glass breakage sensor installed. that should be the actual msrp for the part and the actual install. there are no other features, like remote start like other vip3200 systems. for owners of package 1 or 2, this can be added.

highly reccomended, because the prius is not really suspectible to being stolen (only 20 are stolen a year) but the prius is more suspectible to smash and grabs, because of all the technology, not to mention vandalism (just ask anyone with a prius in petaluma)

dealers might be able to turn on the alarm system but not the optional glass breakage sensor free of charge if you ask

 

another prius back door
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This is a warning to all prius owners that have the smart key system:

the prius has a "smart back door" and if you lock a spare key inside the hatchback area (for example if you are moving) , anyone can unlock your car by simply walking up to the hatchback door and touching the door handle.

if you do not like this default behavior, you can either
1) keep a spare key away from the rear door's sensor
2) ask your toyota dealer to turn off the "smart back door"