C4 Picasso Theft Vulnerability

fyreshaman

The model I have has electric contacts on the door handles which unlock the car when touched as long as the key is within range.
I have discovered that if my key is within range, the car will unlock and lock itelf when wet (being washed or in the rain).
If the key is in the house near to the car this means that it may unlock itself in the rain or when a thief touches the handle.
I have amused friends by showing how I can unlock my car with a water pistol, but think this is a serious problem as insurance companies are unlikely to believe theft was from a properly locked car, when it was clearly opened without any force.
Citroen response was what I expected from car manufacturers - ignore a design fault and refer you to a dealer, who of course will be completely unaware of the problem, which will never ever have happened before.

ChumLee

Have you spoken to the dealer?

fyreshaman

ChumLee wrote: »

Have you spoken to the dealer?

No. I've informed the manufacturer. I've seen it work this way on others with the door handle contacts. The car is just a few months old so would have up to date software etc.

I have no faith in dealers. A few years ago Citroen dealers denied a manufacturing fault which after four resprays was eventually accepted.

In the meantime, I keep the key on the other side of the house from the car, but many people have the key hanging by the door and may be leaving their car very vulnernable.

I wonder how many have gone to their car and found it already unlocked.

WellKnownSid

I guess it means anyone can open the doors as you walk away from the car - or whilst you're queuing at the chippie you've just parked outside. Technology! Personally, I don't lock cars - but I can see how that might be a problem in others areas.

Presumably you can't actually drive away without the key inserted (or can you, but then presumably you'll only get so far before the car is immobilised in the middle of the road?)

I'm sure you'll be able to disable the feature - it's only for convenience anyway - so there's probably a setting in a menu somewhere to turn it off or change how it works?

colino

Like the BMW and VAG security vulnerabilities and recent hacking episodes in the States, just an example of how manufacturers got far too clever for their own good and it is catching up with them. Even the, "new" kick-activated tailgates are very open to abuse.
At least with a C4 you can sleep soundly knowing no one is likely to go to any effort to steal it.

caprikid1

"C4 Picasso Theft Vulnerability"


I think the facts its a C4 Picasso, limits the risk considerably.

shaun_from_Africa

WellKnownSid wrote: »

Presumably you can't actually drive away without the key inserted (or can you, but then presumably you'll only get so far before the car is immobilised in the middle of the road?)

If it's anything like the Ford keyless system, you can happily drive away without the key in the car.
Provided that the key was in range when the vehicle was started, the engine will continue to run until it is turned off by the driver irrespective of what happened to the key after starting.


fyreshaman, have you considered trying something like this until the problem gets resolved?
http://www.blacks.co.uk/equipment/159700-lifeventure-rfid-pocket-wallet-black.html/467037/?istCompanyId=d92b362f-ac8a-4a8a-87ca-c56eafad7955&istItemId=raxllwmxq&istBid=tzlt&mkwid=sNoyIAL0G_dc&pcrid=76366350742&pkw=&pmt=&gclid=CJHRl9jCxscCFUFmGwodDCgBjw
or this
http://www.amazon.co.uk/GO-TRAVEL-Travel-Document-Organiser/dp/B008M73C62/ref=pd_bxgy_198_img_z


There are loards of similar things available. Just do a google search for "RFID wallet"

fyreshaman

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

There are loards of similar things available. Just do a google search for "RFID wallet"

I've got one but never thought of putting the key in it.
I'll see if that works.

I'm not worried that someone may steal the car so much as find it unlocked and steal from it. However, it is brand new so worth stealing even if they break it up to sell the parts.

WellKnownSid

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

If it's anything like the Ford keyless system, you can happily drive away without the key in the car.
Provided that the key was in range when the vehicle was started, the engine will continue to run until it is turned off by the driver irrespective of what happened to the key after starting.

So - when you pull off the motorway to refuel 500 miles from home, you discover you not only left your wallet behind on the table in the hall, you now have no means to restart your car!

Johno100

WellKnownSid wrote: »

So - when you pull off the motorway to refuel 500 miles from home, you discover you not only left your wallet behind on the table in the hall, you now have no means to restart your car!

I think the chime and visual indicator that the key is not present might be a giveaway:D

dannyrst

How close are you when the car is unlocking? Usually, if you're more than a couple of feet away it won't open. Also, they usually have a functionality built in so when you lock the car, you cannot unlock it again until around 5 seconds have passed, allowing you to check that the door is infact locked.

I'm only familiar with the Renault version of this software BTW.