Model 3 Break-In South Bay Area

[mbp11]

You guys are going to think I am so dumb... but I got one of these flashing red on my dashboard at night when the car is left unattended:

Amazon.com: 2 Pack Car Solar Power Simulated Dummy Alarm Warning Anti-Theft LED Flashing Security Light Fake Lamp (Blue + Red) : Automotive

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Solar powered, so it charges during the day and flashes at night in an obvious manner. Just to discourage a quick smash and grab. Of course I have the enhanced security protection on the inside and Sentry Mode on the outside, but... perhaps it makes me feel better?

Mike P

 

[TEG]

Bay Area Tesla Owners Say Their Cars Increasingly Targeted for Break-Ins

Bay Area Tesla owner clubs are reminding new and longtime drivers to take measures to reduce their chances of becoming a victim of break-ins, which they said have started to rise as pandemic restrictions ease.

sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com

Info on small rear corner window break-ins

There is an ongoing epidemic of small rear corner windows on Teslas being broken into so thieves can check in the trunk area for backpacks and luggage. We had a big thread on that that eventually got locked due to complaints about some content in that thread being inappropriate. I am going to...

teslamotorsclub.com

 

[RayK]

Yeah, I'm still folding my seats down in "problematic" areas/times. One of these days I might get around to ordering and installing a pair of (trunk) seat locks. But if I keep my seats down, I won't need the locks right?

 

[MorrisonHiker]

Yeah, I'm still folding my seats down in "problematic" areas/times. One of these days I might get around to ordering and installing a pair of (trunk) seat locks. But if I keep my seats down, I won't need the locks right?

We tried a pair of the trunk seat locks and were able to remove them and lower the seats in just a few seconds by using a flathead screwdriver. Not much of a deterrent.

 

[RayK]

We tried a pair of the trunk seat locks and were able to remove them and lower the seats in just a few seconds by using a flathead screwdriver. Not much of a deterrent.

Just to be clear, the trunk seat locks I'm talking about are these:

locking mechanism for the rear seat latch

have any of our resident forum 3d printing specialists ever thought about designing a locking cover / mechanism for the rear seat latch (to deter thieves from breaking the triangle window just to open the trunk)?

teslamotorsclub.com

In order to unlock the seats you would need to gain access to the inside of the trunk to operate the lever which moves the piece of plastic blocking the seat release mechanism. It's not the type of lock that sits inside the well behind the handle that unlocks the seat; i.e. the Drop-Lock design. That one can be seen from outside the car (since it's bright red) and is removable if you know the "trick".

If you are talking about the lock I referenced I'd like to know how you used a screwdriver to defeat it. PM me the details.

 

[MorrisonHiker]

Just to be clear, the trunk seat locks I'm talking about are these:

locking mechanism for the rear seat latch

have any of our resident forum 3d printing specialists ever thought about designing a locking cover / mechanism for the rear seat latch (to deter thieves from breaking the triangle window just to open the trunk)?

teslamotorsclub.com

In order to unlock the seats you would need to gain access to the inside of the trunk to operate the lever which moves the piece of plastic blocking the seat release mechanism. It's not the type of lock that sits inside the well behind the handle that unlocks the seat; i.e. the Drop-Lock design. That one can be seen from outside the car (since it's bright red) and is removable if you know the "trick".

If you are talking about the lock I referenced I'd like to know how you used a screwdriver to defeat it. PM me the details.

Thanks for the clarification. The ones that we were able to easily remove in just a few seconds were the "drop in" locks. They were pretty worthless.

 

[MHATB FLA]

I am wondering, do the cameras work if the car is asleep (parked)? Are cameras activated when/if someone opens a door or otherwise interacts with the car? This would be good if they do, so as to record a possible intruder.

Yes if the car is parked and sentry mode is turned on, the cameras will record anyone who comes in proximity of the car. It will also record if someone tries to open a door.

 

[Maryp]

Do you think the 2021 Model 3 have laminated rear corner windows? Also, if they do... can we get a retro fit that to a 2017-2020 models with it?

Our 2021 Model 3 rear corner was just broken into. So no fix yet.

 

[RayK]

@Maryp Sorry to hear this. If you are willing to share, what were the conditions when the window was broken (location, time of day, back seat folded down, items stolen, etc.)?

 

[stopcrazypp]

Our 2021 Model 3 rear corner was just broken into. So no fix yet.

I don't think laminate glass rear corner windows will help much regardless. The window will still shatter even though it stays as a sheet (given the laminate sheet is between two layers of glass) and it just means a more expensive window to replace. The perp may either be able to take the entire sheet off after shattering, or if not, they may just move to smashing the rear window (as mentioned in one of comments above of them doing that to a car right next after).

Core issue is there is no factory way to lock the seats (and unlikely to change given popular car is the Model Y, which didn't even come with a cargo cover stock until recently).
There is a practically free way to make your own however:
Secure your Model 3 Trunk in 3 minutes Without Buying Anything!