In 2004, auto theft was responsible for the disappearance of 1.2 million cars inside the United States. While some of us utilize a method of auto-theft prevention known as "owning a car that isn't worth stealing," a multitude of security solutions ranging from high-tech to low-tech exist in order to protect our beloved automobiles. Here is an overview of the options available to you when trying to make your automobile theft-proof.
Car alarms
Car alarms consists of numerous electronic sensors designed to take action against a breach of a vehicle, such as unauthorized entry, breaking of glass, sudden movement, and perimeter violations. Once a threat is detected, a siren operating at over 120 dBs activates, alerting the car’s driver.Be aware of older and less-expensive variations of the car alarm since many come at the expense of your neighbors' sanity. Simply put: Flexible-circuit alarms and single-stage sirens, which are prone to repeated false alarms, will eventually reduce the willingness of your community to react to a legitimate break-in. Current alarm systems now overcome sensitivity problems using multistage electronics that differentiate gentle, accidental bumps from serious breaches using a “chirp” rather than a loud siren. Other features on modern alarms include unauthorized transmitter detection, which provides an alert when a foreign remote is trying to breach your car's security systems.
Price range: $39.99 to $549.99.
Mechanical immobilizers
Bucking the high-tech wizardry of next-gen electronics are a variety of affordable, straight-forward mechanical immobilizers. Designed to restrict access or movement of the vehicle, mechanical immobilizers are best known as door and ignition locks. As for mechanical immobilizers marketed to enhance your vehicle's standard security, The Club stands as one of the leading examples. While The Club -- which protects your car by latching onto the steering wheel, rendering the car inoperable -- remains the most popular, other anti-theft products focus on securing gear shifters, brake pedals and tires.The best thing about mechanical immobilizers is their conspicuous appearance, which tends to ward off amateur car thieves. Only in the eyes of professional thieves do the flaws of mechanical immobilizers become apparent. For this reason, many police authorities insist you should include one of these devices in conjunction with other security systems.
Price range: $21.99 to $99.99.
Electronic immobilizers
For a growing number of modern vehicles, car keys play a more effective role in protecting their cars thanks to integrated electronic immobilizaters. Specifically, keys are planted with built-in transponders or microchips that send signals to the ignition and fuel-pump systems of the vehicle. When an attempt is made to use the car without these signals, the car will refuse to start. Based on the high-tech nature of these systems, car thieves often avoid makes and models that were made after the introduction of electronic immobilizers. For example, in 2005, seven model years of the Acura Integra all made the top 25 list of the most stolen vehicles in the country. However, not one model year of the successor vehicle, the Acura RSX series, made the list thanks to chip-laced keys. Recognizing the effectiveness of this technology, Canada has mandated that all 2008 cars be equipped with electronic immobilizer systems.Besides having electronic immobilizers installed during the construction of a car, after-market security companies offer ignition kill switches, enabling heightened vehicle security for virtually all existing automobiles. A popular example is the Master Lock Starter Sentry which kills the fuel or starter system via a wireless transmitter.
Price range: $149.95 to $199.99.
Vehicle tracking
Even if a thief manages to start and drive off with a car, new vehicle tracking technologies capture a criminal's every move. One technique of vehicle tracking involves an inexpensive process that etches vehicle identification numbers (VIN) into a car. More precisely, “VIN etching” simply consists of scribing a vehicle's identification code onto its windshield, side glass and rear window. Serving as both a tracking device and a deterrent, car thieves steer clear of etched vehicles because of costliness to replace and dispose of VIN-coded glass.Aside from VIN etching, electronic tracking devices offer a real-time location of the stolen vehicle using Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Sold with service contracts, available GPS tracking systems include the Clifford GPS 210c and Boomerang Tracking, which hold a reputation for relocating many vehicles an hour after they have been stolen. Fortunately for owners of 2007 GM vehicles, OnStar performs similar tracking services and is offered free for a year.
Price range: $19.95 for VIN etching to between $137.40 and $289.00 for electronic tracking.
if you love something, lock it down
In addition to the benefit of not having to replace your car, there are even insurance premium discounts of 15% to 36% in some areas if your vehicle is equipped with certain anti-theft devices. Ultimately, it seems that with a dedicated focus on auto security, we can all ensure that the horrors surrounding car theft will be restricted to those individuals who attempt to steal our precious rides.References:
http://www.aol.com/
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/
http://ayreborn.com/
http://www.bizrate.com/
http://www.boomerangtracking.com/
http://www.caralarm.com/
http://www.ccmta.ca/
http://www.clifford.com/
http://www.crutchfield.com/
http://www.forbesautos.com/
http://www.iii.org/
http://www.ibc.ca/
http://www.mastersentryseries.com/
https://www.nicb.org/
http://www.onstar.com/
http://www.theautochannel.com/
http://www.vinshield.com/
www.winner-intl.com
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