Do I need an alarm if there is an immobilizer and central locking
Content
Setting an alarm if there is an immobilizer is necessary to increase the chances of resisting theft. The presence of a central lock that controls the opening / closing of doors and blocks the entry of unauthorized persons into the car also does not eliminate the need to install a siren.
Modern protection of a car against encroachment by third parties is impossible without an integrated approach using electronic, mechanical and electromechanical devices. An alarm system, if there is an immobilizer and a central lock, will complicate the task of the hijackers. The security system with feedback will report an attempt on property. Additional modules will help you find a stolen or towed car.
Alarm: types, functions, capabilities
A car alarm is a system of electronic devices installed in a vehicle that serves to alert the owner of the car about unauthorized attempts to access the car. Attracting the attention of passers-by and scaring off thieves with active light and noise effects, the alarm system helps protect movable property.
Simplified, the signal complex consists of modules:
- input devices (transponder, remote control in the form of a key fob or mobile phone, sensors);
- executive devices (siren, lighting equipment);
- control unit (BU) to coordinate the actions of all parts of the system.
car anti-theft system
The security system can be supplemented with an autonomous backup power source. The presence of certain alerts depends on the configuration of a particular car alarm model with various sensors:
- tilt (triggered by a puncture or an attempt to remove the wheels, evacuation);
- volume and movement (notify about penetration into the interior of the car; approaching someone or something to the car at a certain distance);
- power failure and voltage drop (indicate unauthorized intervention in the operation of electrical equipment);
- impact, displacement, broken glass, etc.
Depending on the way the CU interacts with the control device, automotive security systems are divided into types:
- without feedback (informing is carried out only with the help of external sound and light signals, an additional function is the control of the central lock);
- with feedback (do not require visual contact with the car, notify the car owner with vibration, light, sound and display of events on the LCD display);
- GSM alarms (interfacing with mobile gadgets and helping to track the status, location and movement of the car in the entire coverage area of cellular networks);
- satellite.
GSM car alarm
In all alarm systems, except for devices with one-way communication, the detectors on the vehicle itself can be disabled.
Ensuring the security of receiving and transmitting information between the chips of the control unit and the key fob depends on the signal encryption algorithm. Encoding is of the following types:
- static, based on a permanent digital key (no longer used by manufacturers);
- dynamic, using a constantly changing data packet (if there are technical means of code substitution, it can be hacked);
- a dialog that identifies a key fob in several stages according to an individual sequence.
Conversational encryption features make it invulnerable to most hijackers.
Car alarms have up to 70 different functions, including:
- autostart with the ability to program the engine on / off by a timer, by the temperature of the coolant or air in the cabin, when the battery level drops and other parameters;
- PKES (Passive Keyless Entry and Start) - passive keyless entry and engine start;
- turbo mode, which independently turns off the power unit of the armed car after the turbine cools down;
- automatic closing of windows, hatches and shutdown of energy consumers;
- remote shutdown of the engine and blocking of controls;
- notifications of impact, tilt, movement, engine start, doors, hood, etc.
Car security system with auto start
Autostart is the most popular in Russia.
Immobilizer: silent protection
The difference between the alarm and the immobilizer lies in the purpose of both electronic devices. The security role of the alarm is to notify the owner of penetration into the car or a dangerous effect on the body. An immobilizer, on the other hand, differs from an alarm system in that it prevents the engine from starting and running by interrupting the ignition or fuel pump power circuit. Some options block the operation of non-electrical equipment using solenoid valves. The immobilizer is turned on/off (this is how the word "immobilizer" is translated) is carried out using a digital code contained in the ignition key chip or a contactless transponder.
What blocks and how does the immobilizer work
The operation of a separate interrupter will leave the owner in the dark - no one will know about the attempt on his property, since the device operates silently and does not signal attempts to start the engine.
When installing the signal complex, problems may arise. Connecting the automatic start function of the power unit can cause a conflict between the immobilizer and the alarm. The situation is resolved by flashing the relay or installing an additional immobilizer past the standard one with the help of a crawler. The complete exclusion of the module from the anti-theft system allows you to start the engine without a key or tag, thereby minimizing theft protection.
Central locking and mechanical interlocks
Setting an alarm if there is an immobilizer is necessary to increase the chances of resisting theft. The presence of a central lock that controls the opening / closing of doors and blocks the entry of unauthorized persons into the car also does not eliminate the need to install a siren. The reason why the alarm is mounted, if there is an immobilizer and a central lock, is one - the immobilizer and blocker do not have the ability to independently transmit information to the car owner.
The main lock can block the entry into the car remotely by command from the remote control or automatically after a certain time. Among the functions of the locking system is the possibility of simultaneous or separate opening of doors, trunk, fuel tank hatch, windows.
Central locking with remote control
The electronic complex, which has an alarm, an immobilizer and a central lock, is vulnerable to hijackers when the power is turned off, components are dismantled or damaged, or the code is changed. Reliability of protection is increased by mechanical interlocks of controls, larvae of door and hood locks. It will take a thief a long time to remove these obstacles.
What is the best choice for car protection
Regular (factory) alarms do not ensure the safety of property even in the presence of an immobilizer and a central lock, since the encryption algorithms, the placement of elements and how to disable them are known to criminals. An additional alarm system, if there is an immobilizer and a central lock, needs to be properly installed with a non-standard placement of the components of the security complex. It is desirable to have an independent power source and mechanical blocking devices.
Experts recommend setting an alarm if there is an immobilizer and central locking. For a truly reliable system that can protect against intruders, you need to spend an amount equal to 5-10% of the cost of the car, including the installation price. Efficiency depends on the use of components in a single complex. Each element of the car alarm must cover the vulnerabilities of the other. The choice must be made taking into account:
- the frequency of theft of a particular model;
- conditions in which the car is left unattended by the driver;
- purpose of use;
- the presence of factory security elements;
- type of communication, code encryption and the availability of the necessary functions of additional blocks;
- complexity of the design, affecting the reliability of work.
It should be remembered that no alarm or immobilizer, even if the car has a satellite connection or a steel “poker” on the steering wheel, will not save you from stealing things through broken glass.
