Best Anti-theft device
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 516
From:
On my stang I just leave nothing of value in it. Think about it this way... had you locked your door, they would have busted your window. But then again, I leave my stang in the garage every night.
Anywhoo- I bought a remote starter from best buy for my truck and opted to upgrade it to include the alarm. The one time I did have my truck tampered with, the alarm went off, and so did my key fob. I didn't even know it had the page feature built into it, but I thought that was pretty cool.
(haha- just re-read my post. NO I don't recommend you leave your car unlocked.)
Anywhoo- I bought a remote starter from best buy for my truck and opted to upgrade it to include the alarm. The one time I did have my truck tampered with, the alarm went off, and so did my key fob. I didn't even know it had the page feature built into it, but I thought that was pretty cool.
(haha- just re-read my post. NO I don't recommend you leave your car unlocked.)
TECH SAVANT
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,937
From: Saint Augustine, FL
The PATS system that came with your car is pretty damned secure. The keys that will start the car must be pre-programmed into the instrument cluster, and the instrument cluster is electronically "married" to the PCM at the factory.
Changing either one will disable the engine until they are rejoined which requires a special factory system to enter the security access procedures, waiting for 10 minutes to gain access, and then joining the cluster and PCM.
Any stored key codes (there are 72 septillion [72 million billion] possible codes) in the instrument cluster's memory are erased when this is done and at least one key will have to be programmed to start the car. This requires another 10 minute waiting period.
My point is that it is very unlikely anyone is going to pull-off, or take the bother to pull-off, a successfully drive-away theft of a PATS equipped Mustang.
I drove convertibles for years and got into the habit never locking my car, that way you won't need to buy a new top.
With the coupe leaving it unlocked means you won't have to replace a window...
Changing either one will disable the engine until they are rejoined which requires a special factory system to enter the security access procedures, waiting for 10 minutes to gain access, and then joining the cluster and PCM.
Any stored key codes (there are 72 septillion [72 million billion] possible codes) in the instrument cluster's memory are erased when this is done and at least one key will have to be programmed to start the car. This requires another 10 minute waiting period.
My point is that it is very unlikely anyone is going to pull-off, or take the bother to pull-off, a successfully drive-away theft of a PATS equipped Mustang.
I drove convertibles for years and got into the habit never locking my car, that way you won't need to buy a new top.
With the coupe leaving it unlocked means you won't have to replace a window...
5th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,083
From: Richmond, Virginia
The PATS system that came with your car is pretty damned secure. The keys that will start the car must be pre-programmed into the instrument cluster, and the instrument cluster is electronically "married" to the PCM at the factory.
Changing either one will disable the engine until they are rejoined which requires a special factory system to enter the security access procedures, waiting for 10 minutes to gain access, and then joining the cluster and PCM.
Any stored key codes (there are 72 septillion [72 million billion] possible codes) in the instrument cluster's memory are erased when this is done and at least one key will have to be programmed to start the car. This requires another 10 minute waiting period.
My point is that it is very unlikely anyone is going to pull-off, or take the bother to pull-off, a successfully drive-away theft of a PATS equipped Mustang.
I drove convertibles for years and got into the habit never locking my car, that way you won't need to buy a new top.
With the coupe leaving it unlocked means you won't have to replace a window...
Changing either one will disable the engine until they are rejoined which requires a special factory system to enter the security access procedures, waiting for 10 minutes to gain access, and then joining the cluster and PCM.
Any stored key codes (there are 72 septillion [72 million billion] possible codes) in the instrument cluster's memory are erased when this is done and at least one key will have to be programmed to start the car. This requires another 10 minute waiting period.
My point is that it is very unlikely anyone is going to pull-off, or take the bother to pull-off, a successfully drive-away theft of a PATS equipped Mustang.
I drove convertibles for years and got into the habit never locking my car, that way you won't need to buy a new top.
With the coupe leaving it unlocked means you won't have to replace a window...
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 694
From: Texas
TECH SAVANT
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,937
From: Saint Augustine, FL
PATS has been standard on Mustangs since 1997. Your 2004 definitely has it that's why you have a big blob of plastic on your ignition key(s) and a blinking "Theft" light on the dash...
Thread Starter
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 870
From:
Another potentially stupid question...so with this system, I can't just take my key up to Walmart and have a copy made? Is there something within the plastic of the key that coordinates with the ignition system?
6th Gear Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,786
From: Virginia
5th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,083
From: Richmond, Virginia
Well holy hell... I have had this car for almost 2 years and never new what that thing was LOL. I was always afraid to touch it because I thought for some reason it was some kind of ejector seat button LOL.
5th Gear Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,524
From: Smyrna, TN
lol thats some funny sh*t!!!!! ive never seen that before.. trunk monkey ftw!!!!!