Friday, January 05, 2007

Burning Question

I lay awake last night, pondering this.*

When someone hot wires a car, how do they then turn it off again?

I thought they would have to deliberately stall the car, but this wouldn't turn off the ancillary ignition mode. The radio and headlights would still be switched on, which would drain the battery. And we all know (thanks to the wonder of Hollywood) that bandits like to stop off at diners for a refreshing meal, a coffee and a driver change. It's in their best interests not to allow the battery to go dead.

So, answer me this, how do they turn off the car without the keys?

* I am not considering a more lucrative career as a professional car theif, it's just one of those odd things that pop into my head from time to time.

6 comments:

Mouse said...

I have no idea, but let us know when you find out - I'm curious too now!

Amy said...

well, at least you have a useful contact when you find someone who does know how to! I've no idea myself.

Nettie said...

Right, according to Christian, you apparently pull the wires apart. I didn't know that they were stuck together in the first place after the initial touching but he says they are.
Also, he says that the battery would hardly be in any fear of dying if you stalled the car as long as you turn the radio and lights off.
Plus, in Christian's opinion, hot wiring cars only really happens in the movies, as newer cars these days just don't allow it.

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I wonder what my husband gets up to in his spare time?

Mouse said...

Stealing cars, apparently... :-P

oppiejoe said...

He's right though...

I know from my demolition derby experience (we twist the ignition wires together to start/operate our vehicles... the dashboard is removed)

Anonymous said...

Yes, all you need to do to unhotwire a car is to disconnect the wires, assuming that it was by connecting wires that you got it to start up in the first place. Of course, before you can ever get to that step you have to first successfully hotwire the car, which these days can be very, very tricky. So if you're planning on supplementing your income this way in the future, you may want to make other plans. . .