My car got stolen -- Have some concerns

[Sitric]

Hey guys

The other day some kids were able to break into my car and find the mechanic key in the glove box. They decided to go nuts and do a bunch of donuts and other random drifting or whatever... lol

Anyways, they got caught by the police and were arrested luckily and my car is fine as far as I can tell ( no service engine lights or strange driving problems, etc)

I wanted to make an appointment with the dealer to make sure they could do a diagnostic check to see if they were red lining the engine but they said that it wasn't possible to look that information up.......

I could have sworn that I read if you redline the car, your warranty could be voided if there are any future problems with the car that might be related to going crazy on the throttle ..

Anyways, I've driven the car for the last week up and down the highway and I really don't notice anything wrong.

But is there anything else that you think I should look out for or check? The dealer isn't being very helpful (surprise?)

Thanks

[GeezerSi]

Hmmmm. Dealer can't tell?

[CHRIS]

sorry to hear. sue those idiots

if dealer cant find anything at least bring it in for a full inspection so it's on record that everything is OK

[SiViC81]

Sucks to hear that but really glad those kids got caught...dammit I hate thieves, they got what they deserved...beat the crap out of them will ya?

[arisenfury]

Why would you leave the vallet key in the glove box?

[jeremy0203]

at least get a magnetic holder and hide it up under the car where it cant be seen

[jasonandre]

Believe me, Honda has a way of checking that information on the ECU. Whether the dealership can and chooses to look up that info is a whole different matter.

As long as you have that police report, I'm betting you'll have a good alibi should Honda give you any beef in the near future about any problems.

Now as arisenfury has brought up, you have more of a concern as to where you're going to put that vallet key other than in, on, or around your car.

[Sitric]

Thanks for the advice ( some of you )

My mechanic key was in the glove box because that's where I keep it. Did you read what I said? I said my car was broken in to. I didn't leave the car unlocked with a key sitting in the ignition.

Thanks Jason, I'll be sure to keep a copy of the police report on file just in case

[cbizz]

man that sucks, but as far as the dealer telling u... that is bull... they can tell you what speed they went, when they shifted etc.... I'd go back and talk to the service manager

[twistedframe]

I don't think honda can do it in house. I have heard stories of having to send the ecu to Honda directly to get information like that off of it. I haven't seen them do it for warranty repair, but I do remember hearing about it in a court case for an accident to tell whether someon was hitting the brakes like they said they were or not. Either way I think the dealer is telling you the truth. I don't think they can pull that kind of info in house.

[arisenfury]

Well for one it only records the last ~20 miles.

Two, they can't deny you service unless they have proof that redlining the car is what caused the problem and unless you're in park and just sitting there with your foot on the gas for 10 minutes or you've neglected to change your oil/radiator fluid and continue to drive the crap out of your car, not much is going to happen from redlining.

Lastly if you have a police report showing that the car was stolen I'm sure you're not going to get denied.

[07si sedan]

sucks that your car got stolen. i think its a bad idea to have your key in your car. u should like someone else suggest get a magnetic holder and hide it somewhere on the body.

[Sitric]

Yeah I think I'll get one of those magnetic key things since we're on that topic heh..

I'm going to hide it under the driver rear wheel. It will be a little slidebox that says "key in here"

I usually park my car at 259 Fairview St Boise Id 83704 but don't tell anyone

[cbizz]

^atleast you have a sense of humor!

[zenith931]

Originally Posted by Sitric

Thanks for the advice ( some of you )

My mechanic key was in the glove box because that's where I keep it. Did you read what I said? I said my car was broken in to. I didn't leave the car unlocked with a key sitting in the ignition.

Thanks Jason, I'll be sure to keep a copy of the police report on file just in case

We read what you said.

i don't care where you left your key, you were kinda asking for the car to be stolen when it was broken into by leaving a key in the glove box.

Don't leave the valet key in the glove box! Maybe keep it on a little quick-release key chain connected to yours? That way there are NO keys in your car. Or a magnetic key holder if you want kept hidden on the body.

But def. keep the police report. that's gonna be your alibi in case Honda ever wants to deny you anything. Personally, i'd take it to several dealers and have them do a thorough check on everything. Maybe one would catch something the others missed. Heck, if there was ANYTHING different on the car I'd be charging the kid's parents or something. Brakes worn by 1% more? I demand new brakes!

[tennisfan16]

Originally Posted by Sitric

Yeah I think I'll get one of those magnetic key things since we're on that topic heh..

I'm going to hide it under the driver rear wheel. It will be a little slidebox that says "key in here"

I usually park my car at 259 Fairview St Boise Id 83704 but don't tell anyone

odly enough i am visiting boise next week, now I don't need a rental car.

[Anubis]

Originally Posted by CHRIS

if dealer cant find anything at least bring it in for a full inspection so it's on record that everything is OK

I agree this would be top priority

[Duce2k]

Sorry to hear about that Sitric, just try going to another dealer and see if you get better service

[koreandude24]

sorry 2 hear that!

[Janizary]

I'm sorry, but why keep a key in your car at all?

Are you in the habit of losing your keys? Been driving for about 30 years and never had the need to have a key hidden in/on/or about my vehicle.

Given the your car has a rather effective immobilizer, one of the only ways (outside of flatbedding) to steal you modern civic is for the theif to have the key...and you are providing that to him by leaving it in your car.