Infiniti Theft Prevention

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Infiniti vehicles have increasingly become popular for car thieves with the Q50 being one of the top targets. They are popular in illicit resale and parts markets and have security vulnerabilities that can allow your car do disappear fast. Most Infiniti models since the mid-late 2000’s are equipped with keyless entry and push-to-start systems, which, while convenient, can be exploited through relay attacks. In these scenarios, thieves use signal amplifiers to capture the signal from a key fob inside the owner’s home and transmit it to the car, tricking it into unlocking and starting. Additionally, tech-savvy criminals are taking advantage of software vulnerabilities, using tools to reprogram key fobs or access onboard diagnostic (OBD) ports to clone keys or hacking into the CAN-Bus system to start the car. If you own one of these at-risk vehicles (and want to keep it), it is important to come up with a good theft prevention plan. Be sure to check out our full guide on a layered approach to theft prevention but here are some methods particularly helpful for Infinitis:

Our Recommended Layered Defense Setups

Choose the setup that’s best for you, your budget and your vehicle. There are many great products not listed in these examples that you may decide to use (see other products below). Just make sure to choose products you won’t mind using consistently.

What is important to include when building the layered defense for your Infiniti is:

1. An immobilizer that will help prevent it from starting. For example IGLA, Ravelco, Immobilizers built into alarm systems, etc. Most immobilizers can be used together to further reduce the small chance they will be overridden.
2. Protection against relay thefts, like a Faraday box or pouch
3. Physical blockage of the OBD port
4. Visible deterrent like a club
5. (Preferably) a 2-way alarm system to notify you of theft attempts in real-time

Aftermarket Alarm Systems

Adding a high-quality aftermarket alarm system to your Infiniti can be a smart upgrade for theft prevention, as long as you choose a reputable system and have it professionally installed. Basic alarms that simply trigger the horn usually do little to scare off thieves—most people tune them out. The advanced systems we recommend, however, can offer far better protection and are harder for thieves to bypass than the factory Infiniti alarm, which is often defeated by entering through the sunroof without triggering sensors. Premium aftermarket alarms typically include features such as:

• Starter Immobilizers that prevent car from being started if alarm is armed- even with the key.
• 2-way notifications that alert you via your key fob or phone when your alarm is going off.
• Shock sensors that set off alarm when vehicle is hit
• Audio glass break sensors that listen for your glass being broken
• Tilt Sensors that can detect if your vehicle is being towed or jacked up to steal wheels.
• Built in GPS
• Blinking light for deterrence

(Read more about aftermarket alarm systems here.)

Immobilizing Devices

Infiniti vehicles fall victim to a variety of types of theft methods, most of which are considered types of “car hacking” executed by sophisticated car thieves. Using a good, aftermarket immobilizing system can greatly reduce the chances one of these thieves will be successful. Many, if not most, of these systems can be used together, for increased protection against theft. The most logical combination is the immobilizer built into a Viper or Compustar alarm, paired with an IGLA system or Ravelco. All are good products on their own, but are even stronger combined.

• IGLA Anti-Theft System– The IGLA Anti-Theft System is an immobilizer that prevents an Infiniti from starting unless the driver enters a custom PIN sequence using the vehicle’s existing buttons, such as steering wheel or door controls. Because the IGLA integrates directly with the vehicle’s electronic network, it offers strong protection against the theft methods commonly used on Infiniti models, including relay attacks, key cloning, and CAN-Bus hacking. There are no extra key fobs, modules, or visible components for a thief to spot, making it extremely hard to identify or bypass. It also includes a service mode, allowing you to leave the car for maintenance without exposing it to risk. (Read more about IGLA here.)
• Ravelco– The Ravelco is a highly effective immobilizing device that works by using a unique plug, typically located under your dash or steering wheel, that is discretely wired deep into your vehicle’s wiring harness, that disables multiple critical components of your starting system when the plug is removed. Even if they successfully clone your key or hack your CAN Bus, the vehicle will not be able to start with the plug removed. It is important to remember that the Ravelco will not work if you fail to remove the plug and take it with you when you leave your vehicle. (Read more about Ravelco here.)
• Many aftermarket alarm systems– In addition to all the other features, some models of alarm systems have a starter interrupt that will activate when the system is armed. These will greatly vary in cost depending on what you pick out, but will typically run you from around $500 to over $1,000 installed. The downside to the starter interrupt feature of alarm systems is that, generally speaking, they are easier for a thief to defeat than an IGLA or Ravelco system, but they are a little easier to utilize consistently, as all you have to do is press the lock button on your alarm’s remote. (Read more on alarm systems here.)
• Kill switches– (View on Amazon) Kill switches are a less effective immobilizing device, but are better than nothing if you’re looking for a cheaper option. Kill switches are installed by wiring a hidden toggle switch, button, or even magnetic switch to your car’s starting system in a way that can prevent the car from starting when the switch is turned off. These are not as effective as other options because they do not require a unique plug or remote to activate/deactivate the system. So, if a thief finds your switch, he’s back in business. If you go this route, I would recommend spending the time to find a really good hiding spot for the switch, and place an inoperable decoy switch semi-hidden under the dash to confuse the thieves. Kill switches can be installed by most mechanics or experienced DIYers. (Read more about kill switches here.)
• JDI Ghost Power RFID Kill Switch– The JDI Ghost Power RFID kill switch is a discreet and effective theft prevention device. This system uses a hidden RFID reader that only allows the vehicle to start when a programmed RFID tag is present—effectively acting as an invisible kill switch. Without the tag, power to the ignition or fuel system is cut, preventing unauthorized starting even if the thief has the key. (Read more about Ghost Power here)
• Remote Battery Disconnect Switches– (View on Amazon) This is another low-cost option, but it comes with it’s share of downsides. Remote battery disconnect switches are easy to install yourself, if you can change your car’s battery you will be able to install one of these. They can be bought on Amazon for around $30. These switches work by going between your negative battery post and battery cable, allowing your car’s battery to be “disconnected” with the touch of a button on the included remote. The 2 main cons to these devices are, first, disabling the vehicle’s battery will also disable alarm systems, second, a determined thief will be able to disable the system easily if they open the hood. It is still a worthwhile option over nothing, especially for those on a budget. Many thieves do not want to diagnose why your car won’t start or doesn’t have power. Having your battery disconnected can have the benefit of preventing thieves who clone your key fob from gaining entry to the vehicle inconspicuously, and may think their clone is not working. (Read more on remote battery disconnect here.)
• Cyclops TAM-The Cyclops TAM replaces a relay in your vehicle and can be switched on or off using the included remote. When turned off it will prohibit your car from starting unless the relay is replaced, or you turn it back on with your remote. While not as difficult to bypass as the Ravelco or other professionally installed devices, it is a good option that is much more cost effective (costing around $150) and can easily be installed yourself. (Read more on Cyclops TAM here.)

OBD Port Lock

Infinitis are commonly stolen by thieves who use a locksmith programming tablet or custom-made car hacking device to plug into your car’s OBD-II port and make a new key/start the car. Using an OBD port lock to restrict their ability to plug in is an inexpensive but effective way to deter most thieves using this method. Don’t forget that these do not protect against relay or CAN Bus attacks, so while they are a great part of an anti-theft plan, they shouldn’t be your only line of defense. (See more about OBD locks here.)

Security Film For Sunroof

Many Infiniti Thieves use the sunroof as a point of entry because it usually won’t set off the factory alarm system. You can make things more difficult for them by having some 3M security film applied to the sunroof to make it harder to break. (See more about security film here.)

The Club

Steering wheel locks are a cheap and effective theft deterrent for your Infiniti. Many thieves will see the bright colored lock on your steering wheel and decide to move on before causing any damage. It’s not super difficult for determined crooks to cut off, so it is important to have other layers of security. But it is still a good tool to keep many from even trying, and they don’t cost much. (Read more about clubs here.)

Brake Pedal Locks

Brake pedal locks come in multiple shapes and sizes, but all work by preventing the pedal from being pushed down, which can prevent it from being shifted and/or started. It’s another step that makes a thief’s job harder, but not as good of a visual deterrent as steering wheel locks and are slightly more of a hassle to use all the time. (Read more about pedal locks here.)

Removing a Fuse

A no-cost way to keep your Infiniti from being started is to pull a fuse or relay needed for the engine to run and take it with you. Most thieves won’t bother trying to figure out why the car won’t start and will move on. If you’re comfortable under the hood, you can use the owner’s manual to find the right fuse, or have a mechanic show you. Just avoid fuses tied to your alarm system or anything that could cause issues if the car is cranked without it, and don’t misplace the fuse if you’re away from home. While a proper immobilizer is easier and more reliable, this can be a useful short-term or budget-friendly extra layer of security, though it’s not something you should rely on long-term due to potential wear on the fuse contacts.

Using a Faraday Pouch/Box For Your Key

Most Infiniti Vehicles since the mid-late 2000’s have been equipped with proximity keys (push button start). Therefore, many of these cars are stolen using the relay attack, where thieves using special devices can clone the signal these types of keys produce and drive away with your vehicle. A faraday pouch is a little pouch that can block this signal from being detected, you can also get a faraday box for when you’re at home. The downside is that you will not be able to use the convenient functions of proximity keys while utilizing the pouch such as unlocking or starting your car with the key in your pocket, but it may save your car from theft. Keep in mind that this type of key cloning is not the only method used to steal Infiniti cars, so using a faraday pouch/box is not a foolproof security measure and should be used alongside other anti-theft devices. It is however, a cheap way of preventing a very common type of theft so it’s a no brainer to at the very least keep your keys in a signal-blocking box while at home. (See more about faraday pouches here.)

Settings Changes

In your vehicle’s settings you can disable the “lock/unlock by door handle” and “touch sensitive door sensor” features. Please note this is absolutely not a fix, it is not even a replacement for a Faraday pouch or box. What it does do, however, is limit the chances a thief can gain entry to the vehicle easily in a relay attack if your key fob is unprotected. This is more of a backup step you can take in addition to a Faraday pouch and other anti-theft measures to act as a bit of a fail-safe. You will of course, lose the proximity unlock feature, which may be inconvenient, but so is coming out of the store to an empty parking space.

Tracking Devices

You hope you never need a tracking device in your Infiniti, but if the car is ever stolen, you’ll be grateful you invested in one. Providing police with a live or recent location dramatically improves the odds of a fast recovery and often means the vehicle is found in better shape. Trackers also offer peace of mind by letting you check your Infiniti’s location anytime—and they’re handy if you forget where you parked. Options range from hard-wired units to long-life battery-powered devices, using GPS, cellular, Bluetooth, or a mix of these technologies. Each type has strengths and weaknesses, so using more than one tracker gives you the best chance of getting the car back. (Read more about tracking devices here)

Security Screws to Delay License Plate Removal

Once your core anti-theft setup is handled, license plate security screws are a cheap way to add one more layer of hassle. They require an uncommon bit to install or remove, which makes your Infiniti’s tag far harder to grab in a parking lot. If a thief does take the car, they’re more likely to drive it with a plate that flags it as stolen — and every extra minute spent fighting a screw is a minute they may decide isn’t worth it. (See more on security license plate screws here.)

Security Measures When Parked at Home

• If you have a garage, use it– Parking your Infiniti inside the garage whenever you’re home is one of the simplest ways to cut your theft risk. It not only keeps it out of sight from criminals riding down your road late at night, but also adds another barrier between them and the car, and prevents a quick theft by tow truck.
• Use home security cameras and lighting– (View on Amazon) Put extra pressure on thieves by having your driveway well lit with motion sensing floodlights and cameras pointed at your car and elsewhere on your property. Many thieves will not be deterred by this, but it is still a worthwhile step that makes your house just a little bit less desirable of a target, and the cameras will provide good evidence if anything happens. (Read more about cameras here)
• Block in your Infiniti with lower risk cars– If you have a second vehicle that’s at lower risk of theft, consider parking it behind your Infiniti in the driveway to make it more challenging to access.
• Install a driveway motion sensor– (View on Amazon) A driveway sensor can give you an early warning the moment someone comes onto your property at night, letting you react while a theft attempt is still happening rather than discovering it the next morning. (Read more about driveway motion detectors here)
• Consider installing a gate– It’s an investment, but gates make things much harder for thieves.