How to steal a Tesla Roadster?

You're in for a lot of "don't know" posts on this one...

Not sure if the Roadster has any anti-theft measures beyond those used on an Elise. Door locks are different, but may be just as easy to override.

There is mechanical pawl which locks the gearbox, but I don't know if this disengages simply when power is applied.

Is "valet mode" a deterent???

ETA: Should we post clues and ideas in one convenient location?? Someone, sometime, somewhere will get their Roadster stolen. Are we putting ourselves in the firing line?

Tesla Motors - security

There is a PIN code lockout. I'm not sure if that can be used to keep the car operating or if it just locks others out from changing settings on the VDS. The PIN is also needed to enter and exit valet mode.

I was surprised the Roadster didn't use an RFID key like the Prius. But I suppose that would have added to development time and costs. The way things are going, though, future car thieves will have to be computer hackers.

There is also the optional requirement of a PIN. Can that be bypassed that somehow?

Can you rig a deterrent of sudden discharge of the ESS into the main cabin upon attempted tampering?

Edit: Doug beat me to the PIN (and with link!)

graham said:

Can you rig a deterrent of sudden discharge of the ESS into the main cabin upon attempted tampering?

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Could be an option for owners in Alabama, Florida, South Carolina and Virginia. :biggrin:

graham said:

Can you rig a deterrent of sudden discharge of the ESS into the main cabin upon attempted tampering?

Click to expand...

Just a warning that this clip is a little violent (from Robocop 2):

Edit: Just noticed that the preview image gives away the punchline. D'oh!

Security. Nickola-style

Doug / vfx - very cool illustrations.

I've always wondered if any EV1's were ever stolen. Could you imagine GM going after the thieves in 2003? I guess the former lessee would have been tarred and feathered as punishment for having their EV1 stolen

A couple of months ago there was an EV1 for reportedly for sale in Canada. If it was not stolen from its original lessee, it was at least stolen from GM at the end of the lease

graham said:

Can you rig a deterrent of sudden discharge of the ESS into the main cabin upon attempted tampering?

Click to expand...

Ever had a car alarm go off by mistake

Attempted theft of Tesla Roadster

There was an attempted theft of a Tesla Roadster in the Pacific Northwest.
I am going to leave the name and location off of this posting, but I will describe the circumstances. I will also give the recommended advice for making it more difficult to steal a Tesla Roadster.

I am posting this here so that more info can be shared about theft protection with the security PIN code.

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(quote from owner of the attempted stolen Tesla Roadster)

Someone did break into my garage and tried to steal it while I was away. Unfortunately, I didn't realize how easy it was to break into my garage, and I hadn't bothered to roll up my windows or lock the car. (Not that it would have mattered if I hadn't had the hard top on.) They tried to start the car with some kind of a lock pick, but it broke off in the ignition. A locksmith was unable to remove the pick, so I had the car towed for repair.

The Tesla seems to attract a lot more attention than my other car (Porsche Cayman). I believe someone followed me home and came back later, probably with the intent of taking it for a joy ride. The radio and an iPod were untouched, as well as an expensive bike. I'm probably going to install a motion detector alarm in my garage in case this happens again. And set the security code.

====================================
(another quote from a different Tesla Roadster owner)

It’s my understanding that using the security code is equivalent to locking the car. It engages the theft protection. The security code just doesn’t require a key fob.

With the car locked and thus theft protection enabled, the car shouldn’t start even with the top off and the best screwdriver.

Hmm... I wonder if this is the same attempted theft I heard about a few weeks ago. The thief couldn't steal the car, but ended up taking the mobile charging cable.

Somewhere, back in the early days of this forum, we discussed how potential car thieves would need some computer hacking skills.

doug said:

Hmm... I wonder if this is the same attempted theft I heard about a few weeks ago. The thief couldn't steal the car, but ended up taking the mobile charging cable.

Somewhere, back in the early days of this forum, we discussed how potential car thieves would need some computer hacking skills.

Click to expand...

If the PIN security lock is on, then they might.

Selling a "hot" Tesla Roadster might be difficult though. At best it would be a nice joy ride for 150 miles, then someone would recover it after it has been abandonned.

Is it not very protected without the PIN enabled?

Tdave said:

Is it not very protected without the PIN enabled?

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It is like any other car without the PIN enabled.

James said:

With the car locked and thus theft protection enabled, the car shouldn’t start even with the top off and the best screwdriver.

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Clarification please: Are you saying locking the car with the fob even without a PIN being set is sufficient and equivalent to an unlocked but PIN'ed car ?

Edit: sorry I had not refreshed the page since the quoted section, but it might still be a valid question.

ChargeIt! said:

Clarification please: Are you saying locking the car with the fob even without a PIN being set is sufficient and equivalent to an unlocked but PIN'ed car ?

Edit: sorry I had not refreshed the page since the quoted section, but it might still be a valid question.

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Since I have not yet taken delivery of my Roadster, I do not know exactly. I am just quoting what others have written about the subject, in emails that I also received. That is the reason I started this thread, so that perhaps more info can be shared.

James said:

If the PIN security lock is on, then they might.

Selling a "hot" Tesla Roadster might be difficult though. At best it would be a nice joy ride for 150 miles, then someone would recover it after it has been abandoned.

Click to expand...

And then, with the police knocking at their door, they'd belately realize what it means to have GPS tracking as a standard option on a car.

jorgbrown said:

And then, with the police knocking at their door, they'd belately realize what it means to have GPS tracking as a standard option on a car.

Click to expand...

Does it work that way? Does each car put out a serial number or tracking code?

Seems a LoJack or OnStar type vehicle locator system would be an important feature to sell. I know it would make a difference to my insurance company.

Now we are back to the "most unknown" part of the Roadster again. The GPS.

Do the Roadster have a uplink to send the actual position ??
... don't thinks so ... Modell S will have it ...