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Cloning a Portofino key

Discussion in 'California(Portofino)/Roma(Amalfi)' started by cyr, Jul 28, 2024.

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  1. cyr

    cyr Formula Junior

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    #1 cyr, Jul 28, 2024
    Unfortunately my house was broken into last evening. My Portofino keys were lying at home and the thieves did find the key but they did not take the car. Whew.
    The Porto key opens the car within a "reasonable" distance and does not have to be inserted to start they car. It just needs to be close, but I do not know how close.
    Is it possible for them to have cloned the key (with the aid of hardware perhaps) and could they start the car at some later date because they may have the handshake codes between the car and the key?
    I intend to ask the dealer tomorrow but frankly I have more confidence in this group than the dealer.
     
  2. Redneck Slim

    Redneck Slim Formula 3
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    #2 Redneck Slim, Jul 28, 2024
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2024
    Thieves with the right equipment can clone your key just by being near it. Google "Relay Boxes". That is why your key should be kept in a metal box at home (a Faraday cage).

    Two weeks ago my Portofino received a dealer update that is supposed to make cloning harder. We'll see.
     
  3. Redneck Slim

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    #3 Redneck Slim, Jul 28, 2024
    Unless someone with a lot more expertise chimes in,I think you are stuck with having to spend a lot of money to have the dealer rekey your car electronically. The key can't tell who is using it. The thief doesn't need to clone your key. He can use it just like you would to drive off.
     
  4. cyr

    cyr Formula Junior

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    #4 cyr, Jul 31, 2024
    Hi Slim, thanks a lot for taking the trouble to reply.

    I asked the dealer in The Netherlands whether it was easy to clone a key and whether the cloned device could be used to drive the car. Only answer I got is that I should go to the local dealer and get the codes re-set. Did not expect anything more from the dealer.

    To me the question was (and still is) (1) can the key be cloned just by pressing the real key? And (2) can one run the car with the cloned key? I could be wrong, but I do not think the key continuously transmits; only when the button is pressed.

    Interestingly enough, the thief broke into the house and saw both keys lying on the table but did not use them to steal the car. He could have driven it off with the legitimate key but did not. Which makes me think he was (is) not interested in actually stealing the car. In any case, if he only cloned the key he would have a big problem in starting the car with his fake key and then trying to sell it with no key.

    I have decided not to get the codes changed. The keys however are now kept locked and in a metal pouch overnight.
     
  5. Redneck Slim

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    #5 Redneck Slim, Jul 31, 2024
    I think that the key transmits 24/7,which is why those relay boxes work. A thief with a box walks outside your home at night and collects the transmissions,and then takes the car from the driveway.

    The thief who stole your key may not have the contacts to sell a stolen Ferrari,but he could sell the key to someone who does. Anyone with that key can unlock your car,start it,and drive away.
     
  6. cyr

    cyr Formula Junior

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    #6 cyr, Jul 31, 2024
    Slim, I should have been clearer. The thief broke into our house and stole quite a few things but did not steal the key. Both keys are still here. At the most he knew there was a Ferrari here, as it is visible from the road, and may have brought a box to copy the keys.

    I do not think it transmits 24/7. Surely that would exhaust the battery very quickly. Besides, that would make the car very susceptible to be stolen from anywhere the driver may have parked.

    Must admit, I wish I knew for sure as I would not like him to go awol.
     
  7. Redneck Slim

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    #7 Redneck Slim, Jul 31, 2024
    I misunderstood. I thought that the thief had taken a key. That makes your situation far,far better. But those new fobs do transmit all the time. That is why they should be kept in a metal box when not in use. If they were not always transmitting,relay boxes could not work. And I have noticed that the batteries need replacement much more often than with older-style fobs that only transmit when pressed to lock or unlock the doors.
     

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