3 ms·

If this is because of OBD regulations, perhaps it can be changed somewhat. Give the owner a small electronic device that will be necessary to generate a new key

If this is because of OBD regulations, perhaps it can be changed somewhat. Give the owner a small electronic device that will be necessary to generate a new key for the car they purchased. That device can be kept separate from the car but when the key is actually lost, the owner can bring it to the mechanic and generate a new one. The thieves would need to steal the device before stealing the car, which would make their job harder (and admittedly perhaps put the owner at greater danger).

rsl7 14y ago
People will keep that in the car. In the unlocked glove box.
Too 14y ago
And what if the owner looses that "small electronic device", or forgets to forward it to the new owner. The whole point of this feature is that you should be able to get the car running if you loose EVERYTHING apart from the car itself. The only way to stop it is to give the manufacturer (or other trusted third party) exclusive right to issue keys but apparently the regulations say no to that.
- jasomill 14y ago
  Nonsense. Why not simply design it so that it's difficult and dangerous to access the "reset button" unless you're a trained mechanic with a Rotary lift? Then it's more difficult to steal than an ordinary car, and you are done. In light of history, the answer is probably a combination of laziness, inertia, and an attempt to steer customers to authorized BMW service centers. Or perhaps the threat model includes theft by tow truck? (not kidding; perhaps this is common in some places, at least for high-end vehicles?)
  - Too 14y ago
    Of course you can always make it safer physically, I'm talking about the cryptographic safety. About towing, look at the video in the article posted. One guy breaks in and releases the parking break while the other 3 push the car. Doesn't show where they push it to though.

3 ms·

If this is because of OBD regulations, perhaps it can be changed somewhat. Give the owner a small electronic device that will be necessary to generate a new key

by atakan_gurkan 14y ago

rsl7 14y ago
People will keep that in the car. In the unlocked glove box.
Too 14y ago
And what if the owner looses that "small electronic device", or forgets to forward it to the new owner. The whole point of this feature is that you should be able to get the car running if you loose EVERYTHING apart from the car itself. The only way to stop it is to give the manufacturer (or other trusted third party) exclusive right to issue keys but apparently the regulations say no to that.
- jasomill 14y ago
  Nonsense. Why not simply design it so that it's difficult and dangerous to access the "reset button" unless you're a trained mechanic with a Rotary lift? Then it's more difficult to steal than an ordinary car, and you are done. In light of history, the answer is probably a combination of laziness, inertia, and an attempt to steer customers to authorized BMW service centers. Or perhaps the threat model includes theft by tow truck? (not kidding; perhaps this is common in some places, at least for high-end vehicles?)
  - Too 14y ago
    Of course you can always make it safer physically, I'm talking about the cryptographic safety. About towing, look at the video in the article posted. One guy breaks in and releases the parking break while the other 3 push the car. Doesn't show where they push it to though.