Conference terri::cars_uk

    Is this a good note to re-raise the issue of personal numbers ?
    
    Shaun.

    I've had a car security etched since new (done by the dealers) and it
    also had a different number plate on it (pressie from my mum) from a
    couple of months after I brought it.  The fact that the security
    etching marks and the number plate don't match has never botherd the
    police/dealers or anyone else for four years!  So much for security!
    
    Rob

My PHH supplied car came with window etching. I think it's a Vauxhall security
feature and not a PHH thing.

/Dave.

    Even the rear light clusters are etched on the Vauxhall I have.
    
    R
    

    My Ford (a PHH lease car) came with the chassis number etched into the
    glass including the headlamps!  Perrys, the suppliers felt that this
    was more of a deterent to alter than the registration number.  
    
    I think *anything* to deter car crime is a good thing.

    I think Ford are doing this as a matter of course these days with all
    their cars.
    
    Steve.
    

    My brother worked for a Saab dealership which etched all new car
    windows, one day the wrong registration number was given to the 
    guy that did the etching the result being all the windows on a
    Saab 9000i had to be replaced.
    Don't know if the guy still works there!!
    
    /Phil

In these days of microprocessor controller ignition systems, I am still 
suprised that the manufactures don't just dispense with ignition locks, stearing
locks etc, in favour of a keypad entered serial number going directly to the 
ingnition controller.

That would seem a whole lot better than any of the other schemes around today 
that quite demonstrably(sp?) do not work.

Before anyone says cost, button space etc, there is perfectly good set of buttons
already on the front of the radio on most cars, so all it takes is a serial link 
between the radio and the ingition sub-system.

Stewart

    Wot if someone nicks your radio though ? :-(
    
    Gary.

At least they will have only the radio to show for it, as things are today you
are lucky if they don't take the whole car.

RE: .8

Do you mean like the ones BMW have as part of the fuel computer.

You have to enter a code before it will let you start the car.

TP

Re .10,

> You would be pleased it wasn't the whole car

If they were only after the radio anyway, I would rather have a working
car with no radio than an immobolised car!

Jon

    Assuming some chip somewhere would "hold the code" what would there be
    to stop the thief simply pulling the chip out of your car, re-inserting
    his own chip with known serial number and driving away.
    
    Maybe there is an application here for DLA. A PAK for every vehicle,
    simply register your PAK, using LMF, in the database then enable it and
    drive away. Loan PAKs take on a whole new meaning. Car parks full of
    test cars, all one does is ring up for a PAK, get it faxed to you and
    go enter it in the car of your choice. A Digital system in every car -
    think of the revenue possibilities.
    
    Andrew

    I guess it would be quicker to put your car on a low loader trailer.
    I would guess 10minutes to pick the locks, open bonet, remove old chip
    and cerefully insert other chip.
    
    Also the dealers could restrict sales of replacement EM chips...
    "For what purpose do you need the replacement chip sir?"
    "Because I used mine to nick the red cossey from your showroom last
    night."!
    
    This would certainly stop all but the most determined thief.