Locking petrol cap and security

[Pauline]

Sometime ago there was a discussion on another forum regarding the theft of motohomes due to thieves stealing the locking petrol cap and obtaining the key numbers then returning to steal the van.

Well, back in March I emailed Romahome and explained the situation and asked:

Do the locking petrol caps which you use on Romahomes have the key number etched on the barrel of the lock? We have a Dimension and are wondering if we should change the petrol cap but don't want to go to the expense if it is not necessary.

I've finally managed to get a reply out of them and this is it:

Hi

Thank you for your e-mail, sorry for not replying to your original message.

Regarding the petrol cap, if you have any concerns we would suggest that you
take this up with Citroen and get a new petrol cap thus ensuring a different
key to your ignition lock.

Best regards



I'd hoped that they would find out on our behalf from Citroen as they obviously would know who best to contact, but never mind.

[Derek]

Page 5 of my Citroen Berlingo manual states :-

ELECTRONIC ENGINE IMMOBILISER
This locks the engine management system as soon as the ignition has been switched off and therefore prevents starting of the vehicle by anyone who does not have the key.
The ignition has an electronic chip which has a special code. when the ignition is switched on, the code is recognised and the vehicle can be started.


There is a confidential card which should be supplied with the vehicle and contains the identification code that a Citroen dealer would need to supply new keys. I don't think any information that may be on a locking fuel cap would be of much use to start the vehicle.

I assume that the big Citroen van would have a similar system but the handbook should tell you.

Hope this helps, Derek

[Pauline]

Derek you're a genius! Yes, we have the same type of card and of course the key number on it's own wouldn't be of any use to a thief.

Perhaps the vans that they are stealing are older without engine immobilisers and therefore less secure.

Thanks so much for that, I feel so much happier now.