Purchasing a used car often comes with exciting discoveries and sometimes, a few unexpected mysteries. When I bought my recent vehicle from an Audi dealership, I was intrigued to learn it came equipped with a LoJack system. The paperwork was minimal, hinting at an “early warning” feature, but crucially, no Early Warning Key Passes, or fobs, were included. At the time, my knowledge of LoJack was limited, and I didn’t realize the significance of these missing fobs. This experience led me down a rabbit hole of understanding LoJack, particularly the early warning system and the role of the key fob. If you’re considering a vehicle with LoJack, or are a second owner like myself, understanding the key fob is essential.
Understanding LoJack Early Warning and Key Fobs
LoJack is a well-known stolen vehicle recovery system, utilizing radio-frequency technology to help law enforcement track and recover stolen vehicles. Beyond basic tracking, LoJack offers an “Early Warning” system, designed to proactively alert vehicle owners to potential theft. This is where the key fob comes into play.
The LoJack Early Warning Key Fob, often referred to as a key pass, is a small electronic device that should be with the vehicle’s primary driver whenever the car is in use. It works as a proximity sensor. When the vehicle is moved without the presence of the authorized key fob, the Early Warning system is triggered.
Here’s how it ideally works:
- Authorization: The key fob signals to the LoJack system that the authorized driver is present. As long as the fob is in the vehicle, the system remains in a passive, monitoring state.
- Unauthorized Movement Detection: If the vehicle is moved a certain distance or for a specific duration without the key fob’s signal, the Early Warning system recognizes this as potential unauthorized use.
- Alert Notification: Upon detecting unauthorized movement, the system is designed to notify the vehicle owner. This notification can come in various forms, such as phone calls, text messages, or emails, depending on the owner’s configured preferences.
The primary benefit of the Early Warning system and its key fob is the potential for significantly faster theft detection. Instead of waiting to discover your car is missing, you could be alerted almost as soon as a theft occurs, increasing the chances of a swift recovery and minimizing potential damage or loss. This proactive approach is a key differentiator from standard LoJack tracking, which typically activates only after a vehicle is reported stolen to the police.
Navigating Second-Hand LoJack Systems: The Key Fob Challenge
One common issue, especially for buyers of used vehicles with pre-installed LoJack, is the missing key fob. Dealerships, or previous owners, may not always provide these crucial components, either due to oversight or loss over time. This was precisely my situation. Acquiring a used car with LoJack felt like a bonus, but the absence of the key fobs immediately raised questions about the functionality of the Early Warning feature.
My initial steps involved visiting the LoJack website and delving into their FAQ section. This proved to be a valuable resource in understanding the next steps for assuming ownership of the LoJack system. The process for second-owner registration required me to submit documentation, including:
- A copy of my vehicle registration.
- A copy of my driver’s license.
- Contact phone number and email address.
- Ideally, a copy of the LoJack early warning label from the previous owner’s card.
The intention was to update the ownership details and confirm the presence of the Early Warning option. However, the administrative process turned out to be less straightforward than anticipated.
Initially, I received an automated confirmation email stating a 24-72 business hour processing time. While this seemed reasonable, the subsequent communication was somewhat misleading. A follow-up email gave the impression that the second owner registration was complete. It stated:
“Dear Sir/Madam
Thank you for contacting LoJack!
We have processed your Second Owner registration. As a Second Owner of the LoJack unit the unit comes “As Is” with No warranties. Your vehicle is equipped with Early Warning which allows you to add up to 5 notification methods for you to be alerted when the vehicle is moved without the key fob present. Your notifications have been updated and if you are interested in purchasing an additional key fob they are $69.95 plus shipping and handling. You can purchase this directly through our Customer Service Dept.”
This email strongly suggested everything was set, even mentioning the Early Warning feature and the option to purchase replacement key fobs for $69.95 each. However, upon calling LoJack to schedule a system inspection, I discovered my registration was not actually complete. I was then informed that the processing time for paperwork was actually 4-6 weeks, a stark contrast to the initial impression. This delay meant I couldn’t schedule an inspection to verify the system’s functionality, nor could I obtain the LoJack certification potentially needed for insurance discounts.
The key fob issue is directly linked to this registration process. Without being fully registered as the owner, and without the key fobs, the Early Warning system remains largely unverified and unusable. For second owners, obtaining replacement key fobs adds an extra step and cost to fully utilize the LoJack system’s features.
Is the LoJack Key Fob Early Warning System Worth It?
The core question for many vehicle owners is whether the Early Warning system, and by extension, the key fob, is truly worth the investment and potential hassle. The key selling point is rapid notification, but the real-world effectiveness requires closer examination.
LoJack’s owner’s manual itself provides some crucial stipulations regarding the Early Warning system:
“Early Warning notification will only occur if the vehicle is moved or driven for approximately 3-5 minutes without the Key Pass present. Typically, you are notified within 15–30 minutes after the vehicle begins moving without the Key Pass: this time may vary depending on your coverage area, but should not exceed one hour.”
These stipulations reveal a few important considerations:
- Activation Delay: The system requires the vehicle to be moved for 3-5 minutes before even triggering. This means a quick, professional theft operation might not activate the warning if the car is disabled or loaded onto a flatbed within that timeframe.
- Notification Delay: Even after activation, notification can take anywhere from 15 minutes to a full hour. In a best-case scenario, you’re alerted within 15-30 minutes, but in a worst-case scenario, it could be an hour after the theft began.
Let’s consider potential theft scenarios:
- Professional Theft: Highly organized thieves can disable or remove tracking systems quickly. In a matter of minutes, a car can be boosted, relocated, and potentially stripped or prepped for export. The 3-5 minute activation delay and the potential hour-long notification window could be significant disadvantages in these scenarios.
- Joyriding: In cases of opportunistic theft or joyriding, the Early Warning system might be more effective. Joyriders are less likely to disable tracking systems immediately and might drive the vehicle for longer durations, increasing the chances of notification and recovery.
While any early warning is better than none, it’s crucial to have realistic expectations. The system isn’t instantaneous. The delays inherent in activation and notification mean that a determined thief will have a window of time to move the vehicle. The value proposition hinges on whether this timeframe is acceptable and if the potential for faster notification outweighs the costs and limitations.
Furthermore, once notified, the owner still needs to:
- Contact the Police: Report the vehicle stolen and provide necessary information.
- Police Activation of LoJack: The police then activate the LoJack unit using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- Vehicle Tracking: Law enforcement uses LoJack tracking equipment to locate the vehicle.
- Recovery Operation: Police units are dispatched to recover the vehicle.
Each of these steps adds time to the recovery process. While LoJack boasts a high recovery rate, particularly for vehicles equipped with their system, the total time from theft to recovery can still be substantial. The Early Warning system aims to shorten the initial detection phase, but the subsequent steps remain crucial and time-sensitive.
LoJack Inspections, Maintenance, and Costs for Second Owners
For second owners of vehicles with LoJack, understanding the ongoing maintenance and potential costs is vital. Beyond the initial registration hurdles and key fob considerations, there are biennial inspections and specific maintenance requirements to be aware of.
LoJack mandates inspections to maintain warranty and ensure system functionality:
“Required Maintenance
To comply with the terms of your LoJack warranty and maintain warranty protection, specific incidents and situations will require a post-installation inspection of the LoJack® unit to ensure continued functionality of the unit. Without an inspection in any of the following scenarios, LoJack Corporation cannot guarantee the integrity of the unit, and any existing warranty is null and void. … In accordance with the warranty, your LoJack® unit requires an inspection in any of the following circumstances:
- The vehicle was stolen and the LoJack® unit was activated as part of the theft reporting and recovery process.
- The vehicle was involved in or sustained damage in an accident.
- You install new automotive accessories or electrical equipment or existing electrical equipment is repaired-including, but not limited to-cellular phones, radios, built-in radar detectors, DVD players or other similar audio/video devices.
- The vehicle has not been operated for more than a month.
- The vehicle experiences battery or electrical problems.”
These required inspections, typically costing around $99 every two years, add to the overall cost of ownership. Furthermore, certain events, such as theft, accidents, or even electrical work on the vehicle, necessitate additional inspections to maintain warranty validity. For second owners, understanding these requirements and budgeting for these potential costs is essential. While skipping inspections might seem like a cost-saving measure, it risks voiding the warranty and potentially compromising the system’s functionality when it’s needed most.
Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision About LoJack and Key Fobs
The LoJack Early Warning system, with its key fob component, offers a layer of proactive vehicle theft protection. It promises faster notification and potentially quicker recovery. However, it’s not a perfect system. Delays in activation and notification exist, and the effectiveness varies depending on the type of theft.
For second owners, like myself, navigating the registration process, potentially replacing missing key fobs, and understanding the ongoing maintenance costs are crucial considerations. The value proposition of LoJack, and particularly the Early Warning feature, depends on individual circumstances, vehicle type, and risk tolerance.
Ultimately, deciding whether a LoJack system, and investing in its key fob and Early Warning capabilities, is worthwhile requires weighing the potential benefits against the costs and limitations. Consider your vehicle’s value, your location’s theft risk, and your personal peace of mind. Researching further, contacting LoJack directly for specific questions, and comparing it to other vehicle security options will help you make an informed decision that best suits your needs.
