Lexus partners with Tracker to enhance vehicle security

PCM · October 12

On 10/9/2024 at 10:05 PM, ArneT said:

Also, my car insurance price did NOT change after the tracker was fitted I only renewed about a month ago, but fortunately my insurance hadn't increased that much. I hope it will be a different story come next renewal.

Ditto! No change for me either.

Tel · October 13

How does The Thief know the later UX cars are better protected by Design.?

Surely you need a Steering Wheel Lock if you visit Risky Areas ?

Tel

ArneT · October 13

On 10/11/2024 at 11:11 AM, Andy B said:

@ArneT These are two separate devices - the main tracker device which is pretty much "standalone" and a separate device that works in conjunction with the Tracker Touch app to provide the geofence functionality and other things such as car location; trip history; etc. I won't say anymore about the secondary device here (for obvious reasons) but if you want to know more then feel free to PM me. What happened to me was that approximately 2 weeks after having the tracker fitted I got an email from Tracker giving me the sign-up details required to register the secondary device with the app.

thank you Andy. I wonder if I will hear from the tracker company soon or whether they simply 'forgot' to install the second device. Time will tell!

Andy B · October 13

24 minutes ago, ArneT said:

thank you Andy. I wonder if I will hear from the tracker company soon or whether they simply 'forgot' to install the second device. Time will tell!

@ArneT I've sent you a PM.

Glyn Jennings · October 15

I had mine fitted to my RX Tuesday last week both the tracker and the OBD. I left the dealer with the Tracker card and was told I would be sent documents by Tracker. I rang Tracker today as I hadn't received anything and they emailed the dealership and it is now sorted. They don't issue stickers as they don't believe advising a would be thief that a tracker is fitted so they don't go looking for it. The Tracker fitted is a S7 Locate as far as I am aware and Lexus have paid for a 3 year subscription but it does not seem to be transferable to a new owner if you sell the car. That is what the Tracker T & C s say however it might be different as Lexus paid for the subscription and not me. My car is a 2016 so already 8 years old so I doubt if I still have the car in 3 years time I will renew it.

From my understanding of the system I don't actually see the point of the geofence on the app as if it is on apparently you will get an alert by email every time you drive the car that needs a response back to Tracker to say the car is not being stolen within the range selected for any given location. You can set this to a range of 250m to 5000m. The other option on the app is to use safe mode with will alert Tracker if the car is moved at all. This does mean you will have to turn in on and off every time you enter or leave the car via the app which although a pain seems to be the best option.

So with this Tracker, Pandora Storm Immobiliser and plates fitted I don't see what much else can be done to make the my car any more protected from theft.

Roger Bill · October 15

On 9/25/2024 at 8:10 PM, Ian.S said:

Tracker fitted today to 2023 UX 250h. Dealer just needed to get email permission from Lexus.

Hi Ian, That's interesting because I've also got a UX built in 2023 and I've just been told that extra security had been added to UX cars built in 2023 to protect against thefts that took advantage of vulnerabilities in the Toyota/Lexus Canbus system. (NB this is different to the more common keyless vulnerability.) Therefore, the vehicle tracker that some Lexus dealers have been fitting free of charge isn't available for my 2023 UX.

Although this article isn't entirely clear it does seem to provide confirmation: https://mag.lexus.co.uk/lexus-uk-statement-on-vehicle-theft/

johdhm · October 15

The question now is when in 2023 did Lexus add the additional security to the UX.

My UX has a build date of 21/06/23 (in that well known Japanese city of Brussels, Belgium (!)) and Lexus Customer Care say it is vulnerable and I should contact my dealer. But Lexus Exeter aren't sure: however, to their credit, they are making further enquiries and expect to respond in the next few days.

I'll keep you all posted.

Ian.S · October 15

1 hour ago, Roger Bill said:

Hi Ian, That's interesting because I've also got a UX built in 2023 and I've just been told that extra security had been added to UX cars built in 2023 to protect against thefts that took advantage of vulnerabilities in the Toyota/Lexus Canbus system. (NB this is different to the more common keyless vulnerability.) Therefore, the vehicle tracker that some Lexus dealers have been fitting free of charge isn't available for my 2023 UX.

Although this article isn't entirely clear it does seem to provide confirmation: https://mag.lexus.co.uk/lexus-uk-statement-on-vehicle-theft/

Roger. At first my dealer said no but emailed Lexus and they approved the fitting. Apparently the 23 UX is not yet on the open list to be done but if the owner asks for the Tracker the dealer can get the job approved.

Roger Bill · October 16

12 hours ago, Ian.S said:

Roger. At first my dealer said no but emailed Lexus and they approved the fitting. Apparently the 23 UX is not yet on the open list to be done but if the owner asks for the Tracker the dealer can get the job approved.

Thanks Ian. Just wondered if it was you or the dealer that emailed Lexus?

Once becoming aware of this vulnerability many owners will naturally be concerned even though the UX is at much less risk than the RX. While I understand Lexus would want to keep a lid on the story, costs and workload some better communication from them would help. But it's perhaps one of those situations where ignorance is bliss for owners!!

Ian.S · October 16

1 hour ago, Roger Bill said:

Thanks Ian. Just wondered if it was you or the dealer that emailed Lexus?

Once becoming aware of this vulnerability many owners will naturally be concerned even though the UX is at much less risk than the RX. While I understand Lexus would want to keep a lid on the story, costs and workload some better communication from them would help. But it's perhaps one of those situations where ignorance is bliss for owners!!

It was the dealer

scott vardy · October 16

Hi everyone, I was originally told the ux model is not on the list for the tracker,but I emailed Lexus UK and they got back to me yesterday and told me I could have one fitted at nottingham lexus ,so I booked it in and the lady on reception said it takes around 3 hours.

Don C · October 16

On 10/13/2024 at 7:23 AM, Tel said:

How does The Thief know the later UX cars are better protected by Design.?

Surely you need a Steering Wheel Lock if you visit Risky Areas ?

Tel

It’s a good point Terry. A lot of these opportunist lower life forms won’t know the difference and they can do a lot of damage finding out that they can’t take it.

Roger Bill · October 16

2 hours ago, scott vardy said:

Hi everyone, I was originally told the ux model is not on the list for the tracker,but I emailed Lexus UK and they got back to me yesterday and told me I could have one fitted at nottingham lexus ,so I booked it in and the lady on reception said it takes around 3 hours.

Hi Scott, what email address did you use for Lexus UK? Many thanks Roger

scott vardy · October 16

Hi Roger i used this one cr@lexus.co.uk,i hope it gets you your tracker.

Roger Bill · October 20

On 10/16/2024 at 1:27 PM, scott vardy said:

Hi Roger i used this one cr@lexus.co.uk,i hope it gets you your tracker.

Thanks Scott, I've emailed Lexus Customer Relations.

scott vardy · October 20

Hi Roger,all being well they will get back to you and you can get it booked in.

my quest · October 29

On 9/26/2024 at 3:45 PM, my quest said:

Having seen this post, I called the dealer and booked mine in today. First slot available was 28 October.

FYI, I didn't have any notification from the dealer, even though my car went in for service and MOT today...

Tracker fitted yesterday; device registered by dealer. Dealer 'unaware' of Tracker Touch app for smartphone... even though I asked dealer if there was any app available or needed; they said No. LOL

Registration details received yesterday from Tracker UK via email.

Tracker Touch for Geofence etc installed by myself and working today - but I needed a call to Tracker UK for a secondary serial number to get the app registered and working.

Car came back to me with an empty Tracker box on the front seat with a plastic Tracker membership card (fill in your own details) and a note to say go online for a welcome pack (and that's where you'll find information about the Tracker Touch app. If you want it.

No real complaints here. I mostly find it's par for the course nowadays for me to know more about things than the dealer does...

Booler1949 · October 30

Just bought a 2920 Ux F-sport

Will it be eligible for a Lexus tracker even though it's a used car

Also how do l know one has been fitted ?

Thanks Robert

Roger Bill · Saturday at 02:29 PM

On 10/20/2024 at 6:57 PM, scott vardy said:

Hi Roger,all being well they will get back to you and you can get it booked in.

Have had a tracker fitted and have registered it, etc. Seems to work OK but hope I never need to make use of it for the intended purpose! Thanks everyone for all the helpful comments and info.

Booler1949 · 2024-11-24T09:20:05Z

I had the tracker and security update fitted on Wednesday by Newcastle Lexus .

Every time l drive the car l get a email from tracker .

Is there anyway to stop this happening or is it just part of the tracker setup ?

Roger Bill · 2024-11-24T09:29:58Z

5 minutes ago, Booler1949 said:

I had the tracker and security update fitted on Wednesday by Newcastle Lexus .

Every time l drive the car l get a email from tracker .

Is there anyway to stop this happening or is it just part of the tracker setup ?

This option is controlled by the "Safe Mode" setting in the Tracker Touch App. It's described on page 11 of the User Guide. If you deactivate the setting you'll no longer receive the emails, but it's useful to have it activated when the car is parked in a high risk area.

Booler1949 · 2024-11-24T10:18:03Z

Thanks for the information but l'am pretty sure l am getting emails with it switched off . I will double check .

What would you recommend the geo defence distance ? At the moment l have it set at 250 metres , would max distance 5000 metres be better ?

Many thanks Robert

Roger Bill · 2024-11-24T11:26:39Z

1 hour ago, Booler1949 said:

Thanks for the information but l'am pretty sure l am getting emails with it switched off . I will double check .

What would you recommend the geo defence distance ? At the moment l have it set at 250 metres , would max distance 5000 metres be better ?

Many thanks Robert

I think the Geofence option is for cars used on regular journeys. My journeys are quite irregular so it's not an option I've tried.

Harrier Man · 2024-11-24T11:39:39Z

1 hour ago, Booler1949 said:

Thanks for the information but l'am pretty sure l am getting emails with it switched off . I will double check .

What would you recommend the geo defence distance ? At the moment l have it set at 250 metres , would max distance 5000 metres be better ?

Many thanks Robert

It's largely personal preference but I have set my geofence distance to 5,000 metres (it's maximum) so that I can go into town without receiving emails. My Safe mode is set to inactive. I only get an email when I venture more than 5km from home. Seems a good balance for me, not too many warnings, not too few.

Harrier Man · 2024-11-24T11:43:50Z

On 10/11/2024 at 7:57 PM, Herbie said:

I see that the Geofence thingy is always referred to as an 'OBD device' so is it something that's permanently plugged into the OBD port?

I hope not because I often use an app called OBD Fusion via an ELM32 plug in there.

I'm not sure what OBD stands for in this context but I have a geofence set up (done through the App) and there is nothing plugged into my OBD2 (On Board Diagnostics II) port.