Immoblizer III Transponder Theft Deterent System. Anyone know what it is and when the 2.7s will ge?

 

It uses a chip in the key, and another in the ECU, to verify that an authorized key is being used, otherwise the engine is disabled and the car won't start. The code changes every time the key is used, and is different for each key (the ECU keeps track of all this). More info on the internet, search for Imobilizer III (sorry I can't find the exact website address). BMW for sue, and MB probably, have had this for a year or two, thus Audi has added it to standard to remain competitive on this point.

 

Thanks. It's about time Audi put that feature on the car.

 

That info that says that the key has a rolling code. I don't see why it would, and I haven't found any info that says it does. I've searched for "Immobilizer III" and "Immobiliser III" on the net.

I did find a cool site with a lot of automotive press releases gathered together.

http://www.theautochannel.com:8080/mania/parts/news.html

Searching for 'EWS III' (BMW's name for their third gen immobilizer) yielded reports that theives demonstrated how to beat BMWs EWS II system and a vigorous denial (which is probably correct) by BMW. It also mentioned the EWS II system had 100 billion combinations.

It doesn't make sense to have a rolling code system for ignition key communication. Rolling codes (where the code changes every time you use it) are good for systems where your communication might be tapped as you activate it. As the distance between the ignition key and the lock is so short when the key is used, you can assume the communication is untappable.

I dunno. I'd like to know how these work, just for fun. I don't believe they are insecure even if they don't use rolling codes.

GM introduced the first immoblizer of this type in 1984. It took Audi 10 years to do it anywhere, and 16 to do it in the US. Pretty lame.

Anyway, I truly believe that the current systems are sophisticated enough that you really don't stand a chance of stealing a car if you don't have access to one of the keys. That's quite a chance from the past.

 

I should have printed it out; it was from a security systems manufacturers website. As I recall, the rolling codes are used to prevent anyone from using a stolen key to randomly try to start cars of the key's type (i.e., their chances of it working are 1 in 3 million or more).