Fusion Interior Security

[hondaconvert]

As you must have noticed, there is no locking storage anywhere inside the Fusion. And with the trunk release button, the trunk is not really secure either. If I give the car to a valet to park, he can rifle through every compartment in the car. Does anyone know of an aftermarket lock that can be installed on the glove box or the center console? And is there a way to temporarily disable the trunk release button? I don't want to have to remove everything of value from the car everytime I use valet parking.

[FFHdriver]

As you must have noticed, there is no locking storage anywhere inside the Fusion. And with the trunk release button, the trunk is not really secure either. If I give the car to a valet to park, he can rifle through every compartment in the car. Does anyone know of an aftermarket lock that can be installed on the glove box or the center console? And is there a way to temporarily disable the trunk release button? I don't want to have to remove everything of value from the car everytime I use valet parking.

Locking glove boxes or consoles that can be easily opened/broken into with a screwdriver doesn't work. Your best bet is to stop valet parking. As long as someone has a key they can unlock the trunk using the key hole in the trunk lid.

[noreast]

Locking glove boxes or consoles that can be easily opened/broken into with a screwdriver doesn't work. Your best bet is to stop valet parking. As long as someone has a key they can unlock the trunk using the key hole in the trunk lid.

I back in 1983, I had a 2-door Mazda 929 Coupe (Europe/Asia model) which had a lockable glovebox, the trunk release button was inside the glovebox. It also came with a service key that only opens the front doors and turns the ignition, while the main key turned the ignition, unlocked the front doors, the glovebox and the trunk. When I gave it to service/valet, I locked my valuables in the trunk or in the glove box, locked the glovebox and gave them the service key. valet attendands are not likely to want to be liable for breaking into locked compartments. If they have malintentions, they would most definitely go for the easy grab instead.

[FFHdriver]

I back in 1983, I had a 2-door Mazda 929 Coupe (Europe/Asia model) which had a lockable glovebox, the trunk release button was inside the glovebox. It also came with a service key that only opens the front doors and turns the ignition, while the main key turned the ignition, unlocked the front doors, the glovebox and the trunk. When I gave it to service/valet, I locked my valuables in the trunk or in the glove box, locked the glovebox and gave them the service key. valet attendands are not likely to want to be liable for breaking into locked compartments. If they have malintentions, they would most definitely go for the easy grab instead.

My point was that no console or glove box is really secure. A simple solution might be getting a locksmith to rekey the trunk lock and then inside the trunk, disconnect the electricity to the unlock mechanism.

Edited January 31, 2010 by FFHdriver

[noreast]

My point was that no console or glove box is really secure. A simple solution might be getting a locksmith to rekey the trunk lock and then inside the trunk, disconnect the electricity to the unlock mechanism.

Agree! NO compartment, glove box or trunk is really secure, but..

1. Security is relative. If someone really wants to physically break into your car, a locked trunk will not deter them, they will crow-bar, drill, break glass, or do whatever to gain access. Short of a vault on wheels, no passenger car is secure enough for this kind of break-in. On the other hand, the few valet attendants, that cannot resist snooping into your glove box or trunk for an easy grab, will find a locked compartment is too much hassle to bother.

2. We should not need to fiddle with re-keying trunk locks, mess with wiring etc. Ford should have done that for us from the get-go. My point was that Mazda was able to offer it more than 30 years ago, so Ford should be able to offer it now.

Cheers.

[FFHdriver]

Agree! NO compartment, glove box or trunk is really secure, but..

1. Security is relative. If someone really wants to physically break into your car, a locked trunk will not deter them, they will crow-bar, drill, break glass, or do whatever to gain access. Short of a vault on wheels, no passenger car is secure enough for this kind of break-in. On the other hand, the few valet attendants, that cannot resist snooping into your glove box or trunk for an easy grab, will find a locked compartment is too much hassle to bother.

2. We should not need to fiddle with re-keying trunk locks, mess with wiring etc. Ford should have done that for us from the get-go. My point was that Mazda was able to offer it more than 30 years ago, so Ford should be able to offer it now.

Cheers.

A lockable trunk should exist on every car. We all need some secure area.

[danager]

Have you ever locked your keys in a trunk that needed a key to open? Not fun, not convenient, and far more common than the valet who may decide to rifle through things. I have only had my vehicle for a couple months, and I can list the contents at any moment - a snow brush, the owners's manual, and my iPod cable. That is because I have trust issues... Seeing the size of the key, I do not want a second key to carry.

 

I just remembered I have 68 cents in that useless drawer above the light switch - better go take care of that.

[noreast]

Have you ever locked your keys in a trunk that needed a key to open? Not fun, not convenient, and far more common than the valet who may decide to rifle through things. I have only had my vehicle for a couple months, and I can list the contents at any moment - a snow brush, the owners's manual, and my iPod cable. That is because I have trust issues... Seeing the size of the key, I do not want a second key to carry.

 

I just remembered I have 68 cents in that useless drawer above the light switch - better go take care of that.

Service keys are usually regular, small keys. They do not have a key-fob or any gizmo attached. And usually, you would not need to carry one around, but when you know you are going somewhere with valet, or you are taking your car for service, you can take it with you for that trip.

That being said, having the option of a lockable trunk or compartment does not prevent you from ignoring this option exists and trust the valet people with your 68 cents, your snow brush, and your iPod cable. BTW, hope your 68 cents made it alright. :hysterical2:

[acdii]

I solve this problem by not having anything of value in the car. Learned that a long time ago when I lived in Chicago and had my car broken into several times for my cassettes. I have a cheap hard drive for my music, if they take it, oh well, I can always get another one from my stash. Only thing in my glove box are the manuals for the car and a bottle of Pepcid AC. Only thing in my trunk are workout clothes and a box of peach snacks.

[danager]

Service keys are usually regular, small keys. They do not have a key-fob or any gizmo attached. And usually, you would not need to carry one around, but when you know you are going somewhere with valet, or you are taking your car for service, you can take it with you for that trip.

That being said, having the option of a lockable trunk or compartment does not prevent you from ignoring this option exists and trust the valet people with your 68 cents, your snow brush, and your iPod cable. BTW, hope your 68 cents made it alright. :hysterical2:

It was closer to $4.00 in loose change - i got it out of there all right!

 

I hear what you are saying about the security though... I am with acdii, and do not leave anything of value in the car - absolutely nothing. The broken window is too much hassle.

[lrymal]

...inside the trunk, disconnect the electricity to the unlock mechanism.

Will trigger an error code. A resistor of maybe 40 ohms needs to be placed on the coil wire for the lock. DUMB we have to do this stuff.

 

I have a list in some of my earlier messages here about the dumb simple things that Ford left out of the Fusion, with the lack of interior locking compartments being one of them.

[FFHdriver]

Will trigger an error code. A resistor of maybe 40 ohms needs to be placed on the coil wire for the lock. DUMB we have to do this stuff.

 

I have a list in some of my earlier messages here about the dumb simple things that Ford left out of the Fusion, with the lack of interior locking compartments being one of them.

That's interesting. Forget about valet parking, someway to secure the trunk is needed. You know for those times you buy something at the mall, throw it in the trunk and stop to watch you child's little league game or stop at a restaurant. I think many owners have done that.

[hondaconvert]

Will trigger an error code. A resistor of maybe 40 ohms needs to be placed on the coil wire for the lock. DUMB we have to do this stuff.

 

I have a list in some of my earlier messages here about the dumb simple things that Ford left out of the Fusion, with the lack of interior locking compartments being one of them.

 

Someone on another forum suggested installing a simple barrel lock on the console. Sounds good - cheap, simple, neat. It just avoids the quick rifling through the box that can happen with a valet.

[acdii]

That's interesting. Forget about valet parking, someway to secure the trunk is needed. You know for those times you buy something at the mall, throw it in the trunk and stop to watch you child's little league game or stop at a restaurant. I think many owners have done that.

 

Sounds like you need one of these if that is your concern. If someone wants to grab something out of your trunk, they aren't going to break your window, they will pop the trunk with a screwdriver. It doesnt matter what car you drive, if someone wants something out of it, nothing will stop them from taking it short of an armed guard or rabid dog. With a screwdriver and rock I can get into just about any trunk that has a lock on it in 30 seconds or less.

[noreast]

Sounds like you need one of these if that is your concern. If someone wants to grab something out of your trunk, they aren't going to break your window, they will pop the trunk with a screwdriver. It doesnt matter what car you drive, if someone wants something out of it, nothing will stop them from taking it short of an armed guard or rabid dog. With a screwdriver and rock I can get into just about any trunk that has a lock on it in 30 seconds or less.

LOL. Even these , can be broken into by the determined :hysterical2:

The lockable compartment is not for guarding your wife's pearls. It is just deterrent enough for the seventeen-year-old valet at your favorite restaurant who does not want to get in so much trouble by physically damaging your car, but would pocket anything of value that is just lying around, like your phone charger, or your GPS, or any of the gazillion small items you may want to leave in your car while enjoying valentine's day with your significant other. :beerchug:

[mlyons22685]

the only thing that should always stay in the car is the stuff from the factory and your insurance card and plate registration.

 

my GPS goes with me short of the cradle it sits on and cord. and my cell phone charger gets placed away in the center counsel. and in reality if the 50 cradle/ cord combo goes or my 20 dollar cell phone charger walks then first the manager will get an ear full then i will spend the 70 dollars to replace it

 

come on i remember one post saying the wifes pearls dont belong in there. its true that nothing will stop someone from robbing you. my previous car had the trunk broken into even with it having a locking mechanism bypassing the electric releases, and i replaced three windows over multiple occasions cause i was young and stupid and had to many acccessories laying around. so my point is take your GPS, Sat. radio tuner, ipod, etc. with you and leaving nothing but the inexpensive mounts and cords behind

[FtLewis2002]

We don't have valet parking in Northern Colorado...Solved. :hysterical2:

[firebuff312]

hahahaha......im the same way....but there is an easy way out...just hide the things.....some examples....there is a rubber placemat in the dash storage area and the center consol...you can lift them up and hide money underneath....bigger things like a cd case can go in the spare tire area...if someone like a valet guy wanted some free goods he would take a quick look...BUT he wouldnt think to start lifting and poking and proding around...may sound stupid but its true...

[noreast]

hahahaha......im the same way....but there is an easy way out...just hide the things.....some examples....there is a rubber placemat in the dash storage area and the center consol...you can lift them up and hide money underneath....bigger things like a cd case can go in the spare tire area...if someone like a valet guy wanted some free goods he would take a quick look...BUT he wouldnt think to start lifting and poking and proding around...may sound stupid but its true...

 

This is EXACTLY what a lockable compartment is supposed to offer: an easy way to get things out of sight/easy reach. So instead of mucking around with out of sight nooks and crannies, you simply put things in a locked compartment. The valet guy who wouldn't think of lifting and proding around will be also deterred by a lockable compartment. For other thieves, nothing will stand in their way.

[resq1diver]

Maybe what you need is Trunk monkey...

 

http://www.trunkmonkeyad.com/4wmv.htm

[cmklemp]

Well see the way we do it here in Iowa. Leave the keys in the car overnight unlocked with my golf clubs, golf shoes. and random snap-on tools laying around int he trunk or back seat. Wake up go out to the car and all is well. The closes thing we have to valet parking in when you father-in-law will pull your car into the shop for you