How did this happen? Didn't lock the rental car, got broken in.

[Tidybuoy]

Wow, I feel dumb!

Went on a business trip this weekend to San Francisco with 7 co-workers. I rented a very nice 2018 Suburban XL. It's was almost a tour bus and had auto-everything.

So on our final day, we went to the Cliff House for lunch and I dropped everyone off and parked the car a few blocks away. Car was parked just outside Sutro Baths in a busy parklike area - lots of cyclers, familys, etc..

When we got back to the car, someone had broken in and stolen one suitcase, a purse, and a cell phone. Immediately, everyone was blaming me for leaving the car unlocked but I knew I had locked it. I made sure I set the alarm and was confirmed with the alarm beeping.

The girl who's purse and phone was stolen immediately did a "find your phone" thing on Google and tracked the phone to 6 blocks away. (these melinnals know how to do these things). The chase was on and we were going to find the thugs that stole our stuff. On our way to the spot, we found the suitcase sitting on the sidewalk, open with everygthing gone thru but nothing mising. Two blocks later we got to the spot and called the phone which we found under a parked car, broken as if it had been tossed out of a car. Half a block later, we found an unrelated backpack that was full of drivers licenses, credit cards, check books, mail, and a tax return. We never found the purse but flagged down a police car and gave them the back pack......and had to do a police report.

So, I figured out what happened....You can see on the key fob that it has 6 buttons and one has a red figure that implys alarm. I was using that button all weekend and the car was chirping as if the alarm was set. However, I now know that it was not locking the doors.

I have a 1988 Porsche 944 and an older 911. On my 944, there is one button that: 1) lockes the doors, sets the alarm, rolls the windows up, and flashes the lights to confirm. When I press it again, it unlockes the doors, unsets the alarm, and flashes the lights to confirm. If I press and hold for 15 seconds, it opens the rear hatch. If anyone had broken into the 944, the beeping changes and lights flash differently to let me know there was an event.

Why does Chevrolet need a 6 button remote when this car is smart enough to automatically turn on the windshield wipers, turn on the highbeams when needed, auto adjust the temp of the seats, auto start the car when in range, turn down the radio at a red light?

In hind sight, I have looked at the key fob and yes, it does have a lock and unlock button but geeze, take a que from Porsche and keep it simple.

Lastly - here's the ironic part. The thugs were probably looking for things to generate drug money. They didn't take my radar detector, nor my laptop, none of the 7 other suitcases, or the goodies that we just picked up at a SF Dispensary.

[pwd72s]

How did this happen? You might want to take a trip to PARF to learn something about San Francisco. And I bet you thought Fresno had problems.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-politics-religion/990806-san-francisco-suffering-excesses-its-own-liberalism.html

[wildthing]

These guys know to break into rental cars parked in those tourist spots... I was at Palace of Fine Arts and a tour bus had all the left windows broken.

[motion]

Wow, its the year 2018 and some people out there still don't know how to use a car clicker!

[vash]

sorry this happened to your crew..that sucks.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by motion

Wow, its the year 2018 and some people out there still don't know how to use a car clicker!

Very true as well as some people have become so lazy that they don't check their car door to see if it's locked...the system does that for us now.

Speaking of lazyness, one of my passengers brougt along a handycap parking pass (no-one in the car was handycapped). I could have parked right up front but I refused to do that....

[pwd72s]

My first car with a clicker was bought in 2009. Never had a need to learn one until then.

Tourist tip: If you're visiting Oregon and stop along the Columbia River Gorge to view the pretty waterfalls?
Leave a guy holding a baseball bat near your car...

[speeder]

That clicker could not be much simpler and the padlock icons are as universal as it gets. The red button is the "panic alarm button" on every fob I've ever seen, maybe you need to hold it down on that one(?)

This must be the first time you've rented a car in this century(?)

[vash]

tough crowd..

nobody is perfect.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

The girl who's purse and phone was stolen immediately did a "find your phone" thing on Google and tracked the phone to 6 blocks away. (these melinnals know how to do these things). The chase was on and we were going to find the thugs that stole our stuff.

On our way to the spot, we found the suitcase sitting on the sidewalk, open with everything gone thru but nothing missing. Two blocks later we got to the spot and called the phone which we found under a parked car, broken as if it had been tossed out of a car. Half a block later, we found an unrelated backpack that was full of drivers licenses, credit cards, check books, mail, and a tax return. We never found the purse but flagged down a police car and gave them the back pack......and had to do a police report.

I love the chase, but finding an unrelated backpack and giving it back is excellent.

Kudos. I am proud of you guys first for the chase but more so the give back.

[aigel]

It is very likely you would have been broken into anyway. SF and surrounding areas are getting hit hard with auto break ins. To the point that locals leave their cars open or post signs "no valuables inside". Leaving open isn't great either - I have heard sometimes a bum will use it for shelter.

I work in the outskirts of town and we advise visitors to not leave anything in their vehicles. Even at lunchtime, there have been thefts reported. Local police thinks some of the thugs use scanners to look for active electronic devices. They also definitely like rentals.

G

[pete3799]

I give up.......what do the other buttons do?

[john walker's workshop]

And you guys left all that crap in the car???? In Frisco????

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by speeder

That clicker could not be much simpler and the padlock icons are as universal as it gets. The red button is the "panic alarm button" on every fob I've ever seen, maybe you need to hold it down on that one(?)

This must be the first time you've rented a car in this century(?)

Yep! EXACTLY!

I've never rented a car and I've been driving my classic Porsches since I was young lad. I don't drive new cars because I'm a frugle guy and have never needed a new car. I guess the positive of that is that I no longer have a mortgage and have never had a car payment in my life....

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

And you guys left all that crap in the car???? In Frisco????

I guess next time we want to go into a restaurant for lunch we will lug in the 12 suitcases.

[vash]

i flubbed it once.

i ate at a chinese restaurant in SF. it was in china town..i was trying to be smart. i brought cash so i wouldnt risk my CC getting scanned and ripped off. i got the check, looked it over, but down the cash (it was for a big group), maybe $60. i never saw it happen...the cash was ripped off, like instantly. the waitress was pretty unsympathetic..she looked at me like i was a chinatown rookie..i handed her my CC..which thankfully didnt get scanned.

i never let go of the cash EVER anymore. the waitperson needs to grab it from my clenched fist..

[Rinty]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

I don't drive new cars because I'm a frugle guy and have never needed a new car...

I held off buying a new BMW motorcycle because of concern over the complexity of the suspension and engine control systems, including the key fob.

While I can afford to buy the bike, I think I've hit my technology threshold.

[Chocaholic]

You were hitting the egcy horn button. It also comes in handy if you’re walking through a parking lot and can’t find your car. As long as you’re in the general area, having your horn honk can come in handy. The button with the lock on it locks the car (imagine that) and sets the alarm.

The 2x ones are apparently for the rear window or rear door...but what is the button with the round arrow for?

[john walker's workshop]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

I guess next time we want to go into a restaurant for lunch we will lug in the 12 suitcases.

Yup, if you're smart. Cell phone and purse too. Or keep the car in your sight.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Grocery store cashiers are seriously vindictive.