Theft Indicator Light

[jeffreyh51]

Hi! New here, as I just took delivery (finally) on my Gravity Gray SX, So far I'm loving it, but have a quick question...

In the past 10 years or so, I have no recollection of seeing any cars that do not have a dash/mirror/panel mounted blinking LED that indicates that theft protection has been enabled, yet I see nothing on my Telly. Not the end of the world, but I have a habit of checking my vehicles at night just to make sure they are locked, and I can't seem to do that here without the key in hand to hit a button for assurance.

I called my dealer about this and they seemed to not know (or care) about what I was talking about.

Am I missing something?

 

[Owner]

Hi! New here, as I just took delivery (finally) on my Gravity Gray SX, So far I'm loving it, but have a quick question...

In the past 10 years or so, I have no recollection of seeing any cars that do not have a dash/mirror/panel mounted blinking LED that indicates that theft protection has been enabled, yet I see nothing on my Telly. Not the end of the world, but I have a habit of checking my vehicles at night just to make sure they are locked, and I can't seem to do that here without the key in hand to hit a button for assurance.

I called my dealer about this and they seemed to not know (or care) about what I was talking about.

Am I missing something?

If it's locked, your mirrors will be folded in. That's how I check when I'm walking away from the vehicle. Is there some other add-on theft protection feature you are talking about wanting to check?

 

[jeffreyh51]

If it's locked, your mirrors will be folded in. That's how I check when I'm walking away from the vehicle. Is there some other add-on theft protection feature you are talking about wanting to check?

Thanks for that. I suppose that's an option if the feature is enabled, but that would also require that I can see the folded mirrors in the dark, which is why I've become accustomerd to the light. In addition, the light is commonly used as a deterrent to show would-be thieves that the theft system is armed.

As I said, it's not the end of the world for me not to have the light, and it has no effect whatsoever on my enjoyment of the car. I simply find it curious that virtually all cars have the theft deterrent light these days, while the Telly does not.

 

[JYU]

Kia Access app shows door lock status. You can also set it up to send a notification to your phone if the doors are unlocked.

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[jeffreyh51]

Kia Access app shows door lock status. You can also set it up to send a notification to your phone if the doors are unlocked.

Thanks for that as well. I'm aware of those options.

Please understand that I'm not trying to make a big deal out of this. My original post was simply to ask if I'm missing something with regard to a feature that every other car (that I know of) has. I can certainly modify my behavior to use any or all of the other methods that you folks were kind enough to take the time to point out.

 

[Tellthemride]

@jeffreyh51 just buy a fake led, stick it somewhere on the dash and can call it a day. Lol.

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For those who still need clarification, he just wants strangers who walk up to the car to look in, see a blinking light, and know the car alarm is armed. So they can be on their way and not consider breaking into it.

 

[critrider]

Came across a FB posting of this article from a Denver TV station. It got my attention....wondering if the Telluride steering column security defeat is the same as a Sorento/Sportage/Optima which are the main targets in CO.


Denver police statistics show 45 Kia vehicles were reported stolen during the month of November, a dramatic increase from their average of nine per month. Police began to notice the trend in October, when 19 Kias were stolen.
"They’re being recovered all around the metro area – not only within Denver, but all of the metro area. They’re also being taken from throughout the metro area as well," said Jeff Martinez, Denver Police District 1 Commander.
The trend is being reflected at a repair shop that specializes in repairing stolen vehicles. BJ Penrod said stolen Kia vehicles are coming into his shop at an average of eight per week.
"These newer Kias are everywhere, and [criminals] know they’re easy to steal, so they’re a really hot commodity out there," said BJ Penrod, owner of BJ's Auto Theft and Collision Repair.
Penrod showed Denver7 a damaged steering column from a stolen car and explained that thieves have found an easy way to defeat security systems. He said these cars are probably stolen in a matter of minutes and it doesn't matter if they are locked.

"They know the car will start and it’s real easy to defeat," said Penrod.
Police recommend installing an aftermarket car alarm or using a steering wheel lock to prevent theft.

 

[Wap52]

If it's locked, your mirrors will be folded in. That's how I check when I'm walking away from the vehicle. Is there some other add-on theft protection feature you are talking about wanting to check?

this is true if the mirrors option is turned on. This option of them folding can be turned off so don't trust your car is locked. Better to be safe than sorry. But yes if you have the option turned on to fold in your car should be locked.

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[Gwyn]

Came across a FB posting of this article from a Denver TV station. It got my attention....wondering if the Telluride steering column security defeat is the same as a Sorento/Sportage/Optima which are the main targets in CO.

Ok. Few things.

It does help if you link the article.

Denver police report spike in Kia thefts

Police are putting out a warning to Kia owners as they see a spike in the number of thefts happening in the Denver metro.

www.thedenverchannel.com

The fact that the column was attacked shows that it was physical key based models. Most cars are easily opened and started. The reason kias are now the target is because the other models are getting harder to steal. I can not think of one car that can withstand a determined attack. I was at a hacking conference where the put a Tesla up for grabs it was started with in the first hour and drove off. All doors where locked and all keys where not with in 5 miles of the car.
If they want to take it, they will take it.

You can make it harder for them, like security cameras, car alarms, and wheel locks, and they might take a hint a go else where.

 

[Tellmeride]

That's right. I have seen reports of people driving tow trucks onto people's driveways in the middle of the night in affluent neighborhoods and leave with S Class and Rovers in tow. If they want it, they will take it.

 

[blitt]

this is true if the mirrors option is turned on. This option of them folding can be turned off so don't trust your car is locked. Better to be safe than sorry. But yes if you have the option turned on to fold in your car should be locked.

.....and I have turned that option OFF because I live in a climate where snow and ice are common.....auto folding mirrors are prone to get seriously damaged!

 

[critrider]

Ok. Few things.
You can make it harder for them, like security cameras, car alarms, and wheel locks, and they might take a hint a go else where.

Im probably talking out of my A here but could I assume it would be very difficult to start a fob/pushbutton car unless the key fob were in range or the thief managed to grab the relay code from the key fob allowing for access?

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[Husker Soze]

Im probably talking out of my A here but could I assume it would be very difficult to start a fob/pushbutton car unless the key fob were in range or the thief managed to grab the relay code from the key fob allowing for access?

I think it's part of the immobilizer system. Not saying that this is fool proof, but certainly adds another layer of security.