SAN ANTONIO — A TikTok trend showed people how to easily steal certain cars and now there’s a fix for Hyundai owners.
David Vandelinde, vice president of Hyundai Motor America says the software package specifically address 2011 - 2021 Hyundai vehicles where you insert a key and turn it to start the vehicle.
The software upgrade only takes 15-20 minutes and comes in the form of a small device inserted below the steering wheel.
“VCI, Vehicle Communication interface,” Vandelinde said.
That's all it takes to keep your vehicle safe. He says it’s similar to dual factor authentication technology.
“So it needs to see the key turning but it also needs to see the electronic signal from the fob,” he said.
Vandelinde and San Antonio Police Chief William McManus believe this will cut down on car thefts springing from a TikTok trend years ago.
“Events like this, I think that they help us to… they’ve helped us drop our numbers of stolen vehicles, in my opinion,” McManus said.
A clinic will be held at Gustafson Stadium from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June. On Sunday June 2, the clinic will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. You’ll also receive free protective accessories.
“Anti-theft sticker on the front door," Vandelinde said. "Any thief that walks up to the car, can see that they’re wasting their time.”
All attending Hyundai owners will receive a no-cost steering wheel lock.
“If you’re ever parked any place, unsafe and unfamiliar, this is always just good tried and true technology to put this on the steering wheel as a final layer of protection,” Vandelinde said.
All you have to do is drive up and the software upgrade should take around 15 – 20 minutes. To learn if your vehicle is in need of the software update click here, and type in your serial number.