How to choose a car alarm for a car?

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

The question of how to choose the right alarm for a car is faced by everyone who has just bought a car. And this problem concerns not only new models that have recently rolled off the assembly line, but also used vehicles - everyone wants to protect their car from car thieves and other unfriendly persons.

When you start dealing with this issue, your eyes just dazzle from the abundance of advertising booklets, TV commercials and other marketing, and the phrase "Set up our system and sleep well" is already rather tired. There is one simple, albeit expensive, but proven tool - to seek help from specialists in their field. They will tell and explain in detail, for example, how to choose a car alarm with auto start for Lada Grants or what security system to take for your BMW. In the same place, they will probably install it for you, and they will give a guarantee. This is perhaps the most correct decision, because digging into intricate electrical circuits yourself is a difficult task, and not safe.

Before choosing a car alarm, you should figure out how security systems differ from each other.friend and what you can get as a nice bonus, in addition to the protection itself. Having weighed everything, you can already independently choose the necessary system, and if necessary, some additional chips that will meet exactly your requirements.

So, you have decided to choose a reliable car alarm, but for starters, it would be nice to decide who we want to protect our vehicle from. All scammers and any ill-wishers can be divided into three main groups. Consider them in more detail.

Petty hooligans

Drunken teenagers or homeless people are the most harmless category. They are usually interested in the contents of your glove compartment or just want to take a ride. If your car does not have a good alarm, then the wheels can be removed.

This group of hooligans can be scared off even by an ordinary LED that simulates a working alarm. Indeed, why take the risk if the car nearby has the same glove compartment, but nothing blinks. In the event that an alarm or a warning signal went off on a car, the hooligans will simply move away from your car. Do not discount this group of ill-wishers before choosing a car alarm.

Car thieves

These are usually young people who feel their impunity and are looking for thrills, coupled with easy money. They need any things from your car that represent at least some material value. They are not interested in the car itself, the priority in this case is radio, trip computers and other gadgets, forwhich you can raise money on the black market.

Even the most advanced alarm system will not save them, except perhaps a security current-carrying system (a rare case on an expensive and specially equipped car for such an alarm). In search of prey, they repeatedly search their area, acting cynically and extremely brazenly.

The scenario of the whole process is quite simple and looks something like this: a knitted hat on the head, and a metal plate underneath. Then the thief takes a run and rams the glass of the car with his head, ending up waist-deep in the cabin. Then the car radio is pulled out, if it is of a removable type, in the case of a fixed device, the entire console is roughly broken out. Less than five seconds later, the scammer is already leaving the car.

Therefore, the question in this case is no longer how to choose the right car alarm, but how to protect yourself from this kind of thieves. The method of struggle is very simple: even if you leave your car just “for a minute”, you should not leave valuables in the car, especially in plain sight.

Professional hijackers

The ingenuity and methods of these attackers know no bounds. They do not disdain any means at hand: code scanners, hydraulic cutters, fake tow trucks, forcible removal of keys from the owner and much more.

These people can spend weeks tracking down a car they ordered to steal, waiting for the right moment to actor "hints" from the owner. One of the most favorite and still effective tricks is, as it were, a false alarm of your car. The angry owner turns off the sound protection with his own hands, deciding that it is spoiled. The intruder then proceeds to steal your car in peace and quiet.

Before you choose a car alarm with feedback or a one-way system, it would be useful to take control of a few simple tips that in one way or another will prevent your car from being stolen quickly.

Recommendations

In addition to the security system itself, it does not hurt to equip your car with an additional mechanical anti-theft. The lock on the clutch pedal or on the steering wheel is from any punks, and a well-installed mechanical one, for example, the Dragon, will greatly complicate the life of the hijacker.

Manufacturers of security systems like to advertise their products with colorful booklets and labels with the name of the alarm system as a marketing technique. You can find a use for these items anywhere: in the bathroom, on your favorite laptop, but not in the car. A screaming sticker at times increases the likelihood of a successful car theft. Also, you should not be careless about the key fob and car keys, because they indicate the name and sometimes even the model of the installed car alarm. Pay attention to all these points before choosing a car alarm.

Disable the security system only after you are close toapproach your car, and it is advisable not to take your hand out of your pocket or purse. Do not make it easy for the hijacker to scan the code sent by the key fob.

Alarm functionality

Before choosing a car alarm for a car, you need to take into account some of the nuances that relate to the functionality of a particular security system. In principle, the functions of any signaling can be divided into two groups.

The first is security characteristics. That is, the set of qualities that is designed to ensure the safety of you and your car from any encroachment. Before choosing a car alarm and making a final purchase decision, thoroughly evaluate the set of its security features.

The second group is the service characteristics. By and large, they serve to maximize comfort and create additional convenience for the user. Of course, it’s nice when, after disarming the car, the light turns on in it or your favorite radio station turns on, but it’s worth remembering that this moment is not critical when buying, and therefore it’s up to you to decide which car alarm to choose. The pros and cons of such a choice are obvious: a good security system with a luxurious set of service functions is convenient and reliable, but not everyone can afford it, while a high-quality alarm without frills is quite affordable for the average car enthusiast, and you can do without "chic and shine".

Function set

Before choosing a car alarm for a carand make a final decision, consider the main functional characteristics that most intelligent security systems have. Here, everyone can decide for himself whether he needs one of the functions described below or not, but if you hold in your hands the instructions from the alarm, where at least half of this list is indicated, then you have a system worth your money.

Locking the doors

The function is extremely convenient and saves you from having to separately lock the car doors before arming. Problems like “I forgot to close the door” automatically evaporate. This item is considered paramount for many security systems. The car, in turn, must be equipped with electric or pneumatic door locks. In most cases, remote key locking, except for the main doors, is installed on the trunk and gas tank door.

Shock sensor

Just like in the case of locking doors, almost all car security systems are equipped with shock sensors. Intelligently designed car alarms are equipped with separate zones, when a short warning signal is activated with a small impact, and with a repeated or stronger impact, the security system starts to work at full strength. Extremely useful near educational institutions and large parking lots.

Windows up

As in the first case, there is no need to check if all windows are closed. Many security systems (Pandora, Sherkhan and Starline car alarms) have similar functionality. You can select and implement such a functiononly if your car is equipped with power windows, together with their control unit. If your car does not meet these requirements, then for an additional fee, you can do the installation at any car repair shop.

Silent arming and disarming

This item is especially important for those who park in the courtyard of residential buildings or arrive in the middle of the night. Neighbors will not always appreciate the beeping under the alarm window of your car, and therefore the presence of such a function will help you save the lion's share of nerves.

In different systems, turning off sound signals can be activated in different ways, somewhere it is done on an ongoing basis (program code), and somewhere for a short time (a combination of buttons on the key fob). It would be useful to look through the official websites of manufacturers of security systems to find out all these small nuances and see what motorists think about a particular model, and only then decide for yourself which car alarm to choose (owner reviews, opinions of experts in this area also need to be studied).

Trunk

One of the most useful features for those who often go shopping or use the trunk for work. The remote trunk release feature saves you the hassle of fumbling with the keys. Pressing one button - and you can safely pack things. For the function to work correctly, the tailgate lock actuator is required. As well as in the case of glasses, in the absence of such, we go to the workshop and install.

Service light

Regular interior lightingof your car is synchronized with the alarm, and when the car is disarmed, the interior light turns on. Some models of security systems are responsible not only for the interior, but also for the trunk, hood and car radio. The function is especially useful at night, saving the owner from hitting his head or fumbling for light switches.

Auto arming

This feature prevents accidental deactivation of the car alarm. If you inadvertently pressed the disarm button on the key fob, and neither the door nor the trunk were opened, then after a certain period of time the car will be armed again. The function is especially convenient for those who carry keys in narrow pockets or in a bag full of things.

Arm after closing doors

After you turn off the ignition and close the doors with the trunk, the system will automatically arm your car. This feature saves the owner from any additional actions - you just need to get out of the car and close the door, the system will do the rest.

In order for the function to work correctly, the car must be equipped with an end mechanism for turning off doors and trunk.

Panic and Search functions

Installed in a number of expensive security systems, allowing you to forcibly turn on a light or sound siren. This helps to scare off ill-wishers seen near the car or find your car in a large and dense parking lot of supermarkets, as well as in other similar situations.circumstances.

Synergy

If the security system has the ability to synchronize with third-party gadgets, then this is a very solid plus. Additional connection of pagers, sensors, navigators or other devices will significantly increase not only the protective characteristics of your car, but also its overall comfort.