Car Security Basics
Car security is more important than ever.
Add safety features with the convenience of a remote control.
Add safety features with the convenience of a remote control.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
The safety and security of your vehicle begins with awareness. Always remove valuables from the vehicle or secure them out of sight to avoid attracting unwanted attention to your vehicle.
Keyless Entry versus Vehicle Security
A door 'lock and unlock' key fob remote control is not necessarily a security system. While most new cars include factory-installed theft deterrent systems, these systems typically offer only basic functions.
Security systems provide greater protection including visual deterrents, such as flashing LED and parking lights, and audible deterrents, like unique siren sounds or honking the horn. Security systems can also incorporate the functions performed by factory key fob remote controls.
Security systems provide greater protection including visual deterrents, such as flashing LED and parking lights, and audible deterrents, like unique siren sounds or honking the horn. Security systems can also incorporate the functions performed by factory key fob remote controls.
Vehicle Security Systems
There are three distinct types of vehicle security systems:
• One-Way – A one-way security system provides arming and disarming features from a radio frequency (RF) key fob remote control. Typical range is 100-200 feet. The remote control for a 1-way system can only send commands; it does not receive confirmation signals from the vehicle. This is the most basic type of security system.
• Two-Way – A two-way security system includes enhanced RF antennas and externally mounted RF receivers, which provide extended remote control range. Two-way systems also incorporate confirmation signal functionality in the remote control. For example, a two-way system can include confirmation that the doors are locked or that the system has been triggered (including what triggered it). Many two-way remote control key fobs have high-resolution color screens with icons that indicate system status. For example, a padlock icon can indicate the ‘locked’ or ‘unlocked’ status of the vehicle.
• Control with a Smartphone App – Many security systems offer the ability to use a Smartphone App to control the security system over a WiFi, 3G, or Bluetooth connection. WiFi and 3G capabilities allow control functionality from any location. Bluetooth is limited to 10 meters from the vehicle; however, Bluetooth is a convenient alternative to a key fob. A compatible Smartphone-enabled hideaway RF receiver, an app, and a subscription to the security system provider’s service are required.
• One-Way – A one-way security system provides arming and disarming features from a radio frequency (RF) key fob remote control. Typical range is 100-200 feet. The remote control for a 1-way system can only send commands; it does not receive confirmation signals from the vehicle. This is the most basic type of security system.
• Two-Way – A two-way security system includes enhanced RF antennas and externally mounted RF receivers, which provide extended remote control range. Two-way systems also incorporate confirmation signal functionality in the remote control. For example, a two-way system can include confirmation that the doors are locked or that the system has been triggered (including what triggered it). Many two-way remote control key fobs have high-resolution color screens with icons that indicate system status. For example, a padlock icon can indicate the ‘locked’ or ‘unlocked’ status of the vehicle.
• Control with a Smartphone App – Many security systems offer the ability to use a Smartphone App to control the security system over a WiFi, 3G, or Bluetooth connection. WiFi and 3G capabilities allow control functionality from any location. Bluetooth is limited to 10 meters from the vehicle; however, Bluetooth is a convenient alternative to a key fob. A compatible Smartphone-enabled hideaway RF receiver, an app, and a subscription to the security system provider’s service are required.
Common Security System Features
Each vehicle security system has different features. Below are common features to consider:
• Starter Interrupt – This prevents the vehicle from being started. Interrupting the vehicle’s starter circuit is safer than an ‘ignition kill’ function because interrupting the ignition or fuel pump may affect the operation of the car if the ‘kill’ relay malfunctions.
• Passive Arming – Passive arming automatically arms the security system after a pre-determined amount of time. This ensures the vehicle is protected even if the user forgets to arm the system. This is usually a feature that can be enabled or disabled.
• Valet Mode – Valet mode is a bypass feature intended for mechanics, valet parking attendants, or service personnel that do not need to arm/disarm the vehicle. If the keyless entry feature is integrated with the security system, this functionality will continue to work in valet mode.
• Event History – Event history allows a user to determine if the security system was triggered and what trigger(s) occurred. This is communicated by a different disarm chirp or light flash followed by a specific flashing pattern of the LED lights. The number of times the status LED flashes indicates the ‘zone’ that was triggered.
• Programmable Siren Duration – The siren or sounding device is often programmable to sound between 30 and 90 seconds in response to a triggering event.
• Flashing Parklight Output – Most security systems offer outputs that connect to the vehicle’s parking light circuit to flash the parking lights on and off when the security system is armed/disarmed or triggered. It is important to note that the security system’s parking light output should never be connected to the headlights, as flashing can damage high current lighting by ‘shocking the bulbs.’
• Double Pulse Unlock - Most security systems provide a programmable two-pulse door unlock output signal that replicates pressing the factory key fob remote twice, which also allows a user to unlock all doors with a single button press.
• Starter Interrupt – This prevents the vehicle from being started. Interrupting the vehicle’s starter circuit is safer than an ‘ignition kill’ function because interrupting the ignition or fuel pump may affect the operation of the car if the ‘kill’ relay malfunctions.
• Passive Arming – Passive arming automatically arms the security system after a pre-determined amount of time. This ensures the vehicle is protected even if the user forgets to arm the system. This is usually a feature that can be enabled or disabled.
• Valet Mode – Valet mode is a bypass feature intended for mechanics, valet parking attendants, or service personnel that do not need to arm/disarm the vehicle. If the keyless entry feature is integrated with the security system, this functionality will continue to work in valet mode.
• Event History – Event history allows a user to determine if the security system was triggered and what trigger(s) occurred. This is communicated by a different disarm chirp or light flash followed by a specific flashing pattern of the LED lights. The number of times the status LED flashes indicates the ‘zone’ that was triggered.
• Programmable Siren Duration – The siren or sounding device is often programmable to sound between 30 and 90 seconds in response to a triggering event.
• Flashing Parklight Output – Most security systems offer outputs that connect to the vehicle’s parking light circuit to flash the parking lights on and off when the security system is armed/disarmed or triggered. It is important to note that the security system’s parking light output should never be connected to the headlights, as flashing can damage high current lighting by ‘shocking the bulbs.’
• Double Pulse Unlock - Most security systems provide a programmable two-pulse door unlock output signal that replicates pressing the factory key fob remote twice, which also allows a user to unlock all doors with a single button press.
Security Sensors and AccessoriesSensors determine when the security system is triggered. ‘Two-stage’ sensors emit a warning sound before triggering the system. Sensor(s) and additional accessories allow the security system to function with multiple layers of protection.
• Siren – The siren is the primary sounding device and is included with the security system. Sirens can be single-tone or multi-tone. Additional sounding devices may include the vehicle’s factory horn or an aftermarket horn. • LED – Flashing LED lights indicate the presence of the security system and serve as a visual deterrent. The LED status light should be mounted where it is visible from all sides of the car. • Door/Hood/Trunk Pin Switches – Pin switches are needed to trigger the security system when a door, the hood, or the trunk are opened while the security system is armed. o Doors: Many security systems offer configurable door inputs for different vehicle door circuit types. If the vehicle lacks door pin switches, they must be added during the security system installation. Many security systems include 1 or 2 pin switches for this purpose. o Hood: Hood pin switches are often added during installation, as few vehicles have factory-installed hood pin switches. These prevent someone from disabling the security system by lifting the hood in order to disconnect the battery. o Trunk: Many vehicles do have factory-installed trunk/hatchback pin switches which trigger courtesy lights. Factory trunk switches can be used by the security system to trigger the security system. |
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• Impact Sensor – An impact or shock sensor is the most common and effective sensor. It is included in most security systems. A dual threshold impact or ‘two-stage’ sensor offers two sensitivity levels. The first sensitivity level emits a warning sound before fully triggering the system. The second sensitivity level immediately triggers the security system.
• Motion Sensor – The motion or tilt sensor is used to sense vehicle movement, for instance if a jack is used to raise the vehicle in order to steal the wheels/tires. Motion sensors can be set to different sensitivity levels to limit false alarms. If your main concern is detecting when the vehicle is physically touched, an impact sensor is recommended.
• Glass Break Sensor – Glass sensors use an interior microphone to listen for the high pitched sound of breaking glass. The glass break sensor complements an impact sensor, which may detect the force used to break the glass.
• Radar Sensor - These sense movement in a specific area inside the vehicle. Radar sensors use Doppler Effect technology to send a high frequency radar signal, receive the reflected signal, and detect when the signal is interrupted by something or someone, such as a hand or arm breaching the space covered by the radar signal. Radar sensors are ideal for convertibles, vehicles with a sunroof, or trucks with an open bed. Like impact sensors, radar sensors are available as a two-stage sensor. The radar coverage area is adjustable. Other names for radar sensors include:
o Field Disturbance Sensor
o Proximity Sensor
o Interior Motion Sensor
o Ultrasonic Sensor
• Back Up Battery – A back up battery ensures the vehicle security system will remain active if someone disconnects or disables the battery. A back up battery is a small, rechargeable, sealed lead-acid or gel battery that recharges when the vehicle is running. A back up battery may be included inside a siren. Back-up batteries that are integrated into a siren have a key switch that disables the siren from sounding when the vehicle’s main battery is disconnected or removed during normal maintenance.
• Motion Sensor – The motion or tilt sensor is used to sense vehicle movement, for instance if a jack is used to raise the vehicle in order to steal the wheels/tires. Motion sensors can be set to different sensitivity levels to limit false alarms. If your main concern is detecting when the vehicle is physically touched, an impact sensor is recommended.
• Glass Break Sensor – Glass sensors use an interior microphone to listen for the high pitched sound of breaking glass. The glass break sensor complements an impact sensor, which may detect the force used to break the glass.
• Radar Sensor - These sense movement in a specific area inside the vehicle. Radar sensors use Doppler Effect technology to send a high frequency radar signal, receive the reflected signal, and detect when the signal is interrupted by something or someone, such as a hand or arm breaching the space covered by the radar signal. Radar sensors are ideal for convertibles, vehicles with a sunroof, or trucks with an open bed. Like impact sensors, radar sensors are available as a two-stage sensor. The radar coverage area is adjustable. Other names for radar sensors include:
o Field Disturbance Sensor
o Proximity Sensor
o Interior Motion Sensor
o Ultrasonic Sensor
• Back Up Battery – A back up battery ensures the vehicle security system will remain active if someone disconnects or disables the battery. A back up battery is a small, rechargeable, sealed lead-acid or gel battery that recharges when the vehicle is running. A back up battery may be included inside a siren. Back-up batteries that are integrated into a siren have a key switch that disables the siren from sounding when the vehicle’s main battery is disconnected or removed during normal maintenance.
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Insurance DiscountsInsurance companies in certain states offer discounts to customers whose vehicles have a security system. Check with your vehicle insurance provider for available discounts and related requirements.
When to Consider Professional InstallationVehicles are complex machines. Before attempting any DIY installation, assess your comfort level with the installation of electronics and mechanics of your vehicle.
Consider a professional installer if: 1) You are not comfortable disassembling vehicle interior panels. 2) You do not have a suitable work area available. 3) You do not have the recommended tools for the job. Many independent retail installation shops welcome jobs with products purchased on Amazon.com. Professional installers can also provide many of the installation accessories you need. Always look for a Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) installation technician to handle your most challenging installation needs. Want to purchase installation now? Find an InstallerNet card on Amazon.com that corresponds to your job type. |
THANKS: amazon.com