I'm sure everyone will have seen the banner advertising a new development in security, the "OBD Portector". A link to the website can be found here, but in dummy terms (i.e. those I can understand), it introduces an electronic cut-off switch into the OBD port that is used to access the car's electronic brain.
Normally, the port is live at all times, and can be used as a aid to stealing the car by programming dummy keys etc. Without the switch being activated, the port is now inaccessible. And it can't be activated just by flicking the switch. You need to swipe a smart card over the switch as well (think contactless payments in shops).
I ordered it online about ten days ago, using the ASN discount code to get it at £240 instead of £300. I got a phone call within two working days to arrange the installation and it was booked for today. I received a text yesterday to tell me the installer would arrive between 9.00am and Midday, and he was here before 10.00am. Installation and set up took about two hours, and is very discreet. There are only two visible clues, the switch itself (which is about 2cm in diameter and sits between the OBD port and the footwell light on the lower dash panel) and a sticker next to the port. Both are invisible unless you've got your head in the footwell.
Two swipe card are provided; they're obviously not to be kept in the car. The only time they should be needed is when the car goes in to be serviced or have other work on that requires access to the OBD port. As and when that happens, I'll simply pass one of the cards to the garage, and make it clear that if it loses the card, it pays to have them replaced. I won't bore you with the procedure for replacements here as it's on the website; suffice to say it's reassurringly convoluted.
I received an email from the supplier confirming it's been registered on the International Security Register. And that's it; it's in, and for now, I forget about it.
Normally, the port is live at all times, and can be used as a aid to stealing the car by programming dummy keys etc. Without the switch being activated, the port is now inaccessible. And it can't be activated just by flicking the switch. You need to swipe a smart card over the switch as well (think contactless payments in shops).
I ordered it online about ten days ago, using the ASN discount code to get it at £240 instead of £300. I got a phone call within two working days to arrange the installation and it was booked for today. I received a text yesterday to tell me the installer would arrive between 9.00am and Midday, and he was here before 10.00am. Installation and set up took about two hours, and is very discreet. There are only two visible clues, the switch itself (which is about 2cm in diameter and sits between the OBD port and the footwell light on the lower dash panel) and a sticker next to the port. Both are invisible unless you've got your head in the footwell.
Two swipe card are provided; they're obviously not to be kept in the car. The only time they should be needed is when the car goes in to be serviced or have other work on that requires access to the OBD port. As and when that happens, I'll simply pass one of the cards to the garage, and make it clear that if it loses the card, it pays to have them replaced. I won't bore you with the procedure for replacements here as it's on the website; suffice to say it's reassurringly convoluted.
I received an email from the supplier confirming it's been registered on the International Security Register. And that's it; it's in, and for now, I forget about it.
