Attention Scorpio Owners!!!

gpa · 17th July 2009, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfheart

Someone mentioned the rear lock as being easy to crack. Any suggestions as to how that can be secured?

The only way is for M&M to redesign the component and upgrade all vehicles sold with the new lock.

tanwaramit · 17th July 2009, 16:33

keep a touch sensitive alarm for the car. Also there are some devices in the market I had seen.

1. One of my colleague has installed in his Innova, where one sms gives him the details of last 3 locations of the car (including current)- this can be given to cops to nab the car if stolen.
2. I read in HT where a BPO cab from Dell Gurgaon was tracked using GPS system in UP 3 days after 3 it was stolen Carjacked cab tracked in hours- Hindustan Times

Security etc are not much of a deterrence in North India as the thieves dont steal, they rob at gunpoint, people become mute spectators at that time.

Abes · 18th July 2009, 14:53

Cars get stolen in every part of the world. Prevention is better than cure. Owners need to invest in multiple layers of security.

Burglar alarms with immobiliser should be used as first line of defence. Gear/Steering locks would prolong the burglary time. GPS/Sim based tracking devices would enable enable the car to be located in the event of a theft becoming successful.

Of course, well lit parking lots/garages with security also matters. Here, I have seen burglar alarms with a pager sort of thing which is kept with you in your home. It alerts you if the car moves out of range of the 'pager'.

And the car manufactures should design the cars in such a way that its difficult to break-in into the car. Even if broken into, it should be made difficult to crank up the car.

raj_5004 · 18th July 2009, 19:23

scorpios get stolen more because:
1) good resale value
2) can carry more than 8 people
3) owners dont change the immobilizer code!

but takumi & wolfheart, now in the new refresh scorpio, mahindra has made amends by providing the i-CAT security system found in the toyotas & marutis. ideally, it should make the new scorpio very diffcult to be stolen. the i-CAT system has got a transponder in the original car keys & a receiver inside the keyhole. each set has a unique code & when you insert the key in the keyhole, the code should match. only then, the car would start. atleast on paper, the only way to steal the new scorpio seems to be stealing the original car keys! you cannot start the car with any other duplicate key.

anirbanm · 20th July 2009, 15:20

I don't know how many of you would agree but this is my observation on gear locks for scorpios:

Generally we install " U " shaped gear locks in the scorpio. If one removes the plastic gear box cover you will see that this gear shaft is not a single piece of rod. it is bolted in between. Generally the gear lock gets installed quite above the joint bolt. if you remove this bolt then one can remove this gear handle easily and put it back in place without the "gear lock U". For Pin locks it is too small to reach the gear shaft.

24th July 2009, 23:26

it is really sad that such an amazing vehicle has been plagued with such a huge problem of thefts.
i can tell you first hand that the scorpio is a prime target for thieves. my very own 07 Black scorpio 2.6 crde slx was stolen from my building in october 2008. i was shocked and couldnt recover from this for over a week. it was my fault that i hadnt installed a gear lock, but my vehicle was parked in my own building with a steering lock and a pad-locked gate. i wouldnt wish for any one i know to go through the experience of having your scorpio stolen and the futile visits to the police or the insurance office just to salvage some value, for their beloved possession.
i had a look at the new scorpio refresh and though i was tempted, i have decided to look elsewhere as i cant convince myself even with all the assurances that the sales people have given me regarding the new scorpio's security features.

this is a picture of my beast, i truly miss it.

Attention Scorpio Owners!!!-dsc01437.jpg

Takumi-san · 25th July 2009, 08:04

Looks gorgeous in all black. Wow from within your building eh? The security guy must be in cahoots with the thieves.

Wonder if any one has more details about this iCats system and its effectiveness. As i recall , the modus operandi was to take out the lock from the tail gate and use that to make a duplicate key which would allow the thief to drive off with the car. I would like it if someone from Mahindra shed more light on how they can ensure that this will not happen now. I ask this because there was some code prior (which was not changed by owners) and let the Scorps be stolen. But how would the thief input this code? We need to know how they think in order to prevent this from occuring.

raj_5004 · 25th July 2009, 08:10

@ takumi: hi buddy, in older scorpios, most proably these thieves know the default code. hence, if the owners dont change the code, they can easily enter the default code & drive away.
but iCat found in the scorpio refresh is a lot better than the older system. it will simply NOT allow you to start the car until you insert the key provided by the company.

25th July 2009, 09:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Takumi-san

Looks gorgeous in all black. Wow from within your building eh? The security guy must be in cahoots with the thieves.

thanks, i agree with you that the scorpio looks menacing in black. well ours is a rather safe neighbourhood with no history of car thefts. so my dad doesnt think its important to have a security guy, he thinks the security wouldnt be effective since car thieves who operate in groups wouldnt mind beating up one guy. but just emphasis how chronic this problem is, during the last 8 months every scorpio from dadar to sion area in mumbai (if you are familiar with the same) has been stolen.
according to the insurance agent who settled my claim, on an average 7-9 scorpios are stolen each day from mumbai. (this was at its peak during the pre-election period)

Takumi-san · 25th July 2009, 14:40

If this is true, then I must say that the cops have to be in cahoots as well! There is no other way such a professional approach can work out. Its like a chain they have in place from stealing to getting rid of the stolen vehicles. Its either that or the politicians are leaning in to prevent any excessive investigations. I wouldnt really be surprised in the latter case. Perhaps thats also the reason that I have heard insurance companies are becoming hesitant to insure scorps?

vinaydas · 25th July 2009, 17:25

definitely cops will have a hand in it. They will probably get a percentage for their efforts.
this is very very sad on the part of corruption in our country.

25th July 2009, 17:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinaydas

definitely cops will have a hand in it. They will probably get a percentage for their efforts.
this is very very sad on the part of corruption in our country.

you will be shocked but when i went to file an FIR the cops blasted us saying that you should take better care of your car. they are aware of the problem but apparently are too understaffed to devote more people towards it.

also the constable in-charge of recording the FIR, was assuring us that we need not worry, he will make sure that all the documents are prepared in a way that there wont be any problem in settling the insurance claim. no where did anyone say, we will try our best to track your vehicle. its just a sad situation with this rampant corruption...

agbenny · 26th July 2009, 12:24

I am sorry to hear your loss, From the pictures you have posted in the threads, I could understand how much love you had on your car. I wish you all the best to get it back.

Is it some GPS kind of solution available to trace? Somewhere the equipment is fitted or integrated which helps to track?

Takumi-san · 29th July 2009, 07:35

here is something that should help us all take heart - or not - 111 ways to steal cars, News - City - Mumbai Mirror,Mumbai Mirror

Wolfheart · 29th July 2009, 13:25

@ Raj

Dude I really like the black guard on your Scorp. Could I ask you where did you purchase it from?

Anyway getting back to the topic, I've got a u type gear lock installed. I'm also considering a sim based security system by a company called Microtek. Costs between 9k-14k depending on which variant you install.
Does anyone have any experience with those?

17th July 2009, 16:33	#17
tanwaramit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Dilwalon ki Dilli Posts: 1,946 Thanked: 514 Times	keep a touch sensitive alarm for the car. Also there are some devices in the market I had seen. 1. One of my colleague has installed in his Innova, where one sms gives him the details of last 3 locations of the car (including current)- this can be given to cops to nab the car if stolen. 2. I read in HT where a BPO cab from Dell Gurgaon was tracked using GPS system in UP 3 days after 3 it was stolen Carjacked cab tracked in hours- Hindustan Times Security etc are not much of a deterrence in North India as the thieves dont steal, they rob at gunpoint, people become mute spectators at that time.
	() Thanks

18th July 2009, 14:53	#18
Abes BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Muscat Posts: 201 Thanked: 60 Times	Cars get stolen in every part of the world. Prevention is better than cure. Owners need to invest in multiple layers of security. Burglar alarms with immobiliser should be used as first line of defence. Gear/Steering locks would prolong the burglary time. GPS/Sim based tracking devices would enable enable the car to be located in the event of a theft becoming successful. Of course, well lit parking lots/garages with security also matters. Here, I have seen burglar alarms with a pager sort of thing which is kept with you in your home. It alerts you if the car moves out of range of the 'pager'. And the car manufactures should design the cars in such a way that its difficult to break-in into the car. Even if broken into, it should be made difficult to crank up the car.
	() Thanks

18th July 2009, 19:23	#19
raj_5004 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dubai/Mumbai Posts: 5,238 Thanked: 3,169 Times	scorpios get stolen more because: 1) good resale value 2) can carry more than 8 people 3) owners dont change the immobilizer code! but takumi & wolfheart, now in the new refresh scorpio, mahindra has made amends by providing the i-CAT security system found in the toyotas & marutis. ideally, it should make the new scorpio very diffcult to be stolen. the i-CAT system has got a transponder in the original car keys & a receiver inside the keyhole. each set has a unique code & when you insert the key in the keyhole, the code should match. only then, the car would start. atleast on paper, the only way to steal the new scorpio seems to be stealing the original car keys! you cannot start the car with any other duplicate key.
	() Thanks

20th July 2009, 15:20	#20
anirbanm BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Noida Posts: 38 Thanked: 46 Times	I don't know how many of you would agree but this is my observation on gear locks for scorpios: Generally we install " U " shaped gear locks in the scorpio. If one removes the plastic gear box cover you will see that this gear shaft is not a single piece of rod. it is bolted in between. Generally the gear lock gets installed quite above the joint bolt. if you remove this bolt then one can remove this gear handle easily and put it back in place without the "gear lock U". For Pin locks it is too small to reach the gear shaft.
	() Thanks

24th July 2009, 23:26	#21
superveloce Posts: n/a	it is really sad that such an amazing vehicle has been plagued with such a huge problem of thefts. i can tell you first hand that the scorpio is a prime target for thieves. my very own 07 Black scorpio 2.6 crde slx was stolen from my building in october 2008. i was shocked and couldnt recover from this for over a week. it was my fault that i hadnt installed a gear lock, but my vehicle was parked in my own building with a steering lock and a pad-locked gate. i wouldnt wish for any one i know to go through the experience of having your scorpio stolen and the futile visits to the police or the insurance office just to salvage some value, for their beloved possession. i had a look at the new scorpio refresh and though i was tempted, i have decided to look elsewhere as i cant convince myself even with all the assurances that the sales people have given me regarding the new scorpio's security features. this is a picture of my beast, i truly miss it.
	() Thanks

25th July 2009, 08:04	#22
Takumi-san BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 368 Thanked: 121 Times View My Garage	Looks gorgeous in all black. Wow from within your building eh? The security guy must be in cahoots with the thieves. Wonder if any one has more details about this iCats system and its effectiveness. As i recall , the modus operandi was to take out the lock from the tail gate and use that to make a duplicate key which would allow the thief to drive off with the car. I would like it if someone from Mahindra shed more light on how they can ensure that this will not happen now. I ask this because there was some code prior (which was not changed by owners) and let the Scorps be stolen. But how would the thief input this code? We need to know how they think in order to prevent this from occuring.
	() Thanks

25th July 2009, 08:10	#23
raj_5004 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Dubai/Mumbai Posts: 5,238 Thanked: 3,169 Times	@ takumi: hi buddy, in older scorpios, most proably these thieves know the default code. hence, if the owners dont change the code, they can easily enter the default code & drive away. but iCat found in the scorpio refresh is a lot better than the older system. it will simply NOT allow you to start the car until you insert the key provided by the company.
	() Thanks

25th July 2009, 14:40	#25
Takumi-san BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 368 Thanked: 121 Times View My Garage	If this is true, then I must say that the cops have to be in cahoots as well! There is no other way such a professional approach can work out. Its like a chain they have in place from stealing to getting rid of the stolen vehicles. Its either that or the politicians are leaning in to prevent any excessive investigations. I wouldnt really be surprised in the latter case. Perhaps thats also the reason that I have heard insurance companies are becoming hesitant to insure scorps?
	() Thanks

25th July 2009, 17:25	#26
vinaydas BANNED Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 1,399 Thanked: 148 Times	definitely cops will have a hand in it. They will probably get a percentage for their efforts. this is very very sad on the part of corruption in our country.
	() Thanks

26th July 2009, 12:24	#28
agbenny BANNED Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: TN38 Posts: 1,081 Thanked: 294 Times	I am sorry to hear your loss, From the pictures you have posted in the threads, I could understand how much love you had on your car. I wish you all the best to get it back. Is it some GPS kind of solution available to trace? Somewhere the equipment is fitted or integrated which helps to track? Last edited by agbenny : 26th July 2009 at 12:26.
	() Thanks

29th July 2009, 07:35	#29
Takumi-san BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 368 Thanked: 121 Times View My Garage	here is something that should help us all take heart - or not - 111 ways to steal cars, News - City - Mumbai Mirror,Mumbai Mirror
	() Thanks

29th July 2009, 13:25	#30
Wolfheart BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bombay Posts: 160 Thanked: 37 Times	@ Raj Dude I really like the black guard on your Scorp. Could I ask you where did you purchase it from? Anyway getting back to the topic, I've got a u type gear lock installed. I'm also considering a sim based security system by a company called Microtek. Costs between 9k-14k depending on which variant you install. Does anyone have any experience with those?
	() Thanks