Every car owner worries that his "iron horse" will not go to the hijackers. Therefore, let's talk about what an immobilizer is in a car. This is such equipment that can prevent the movement of the vehicle under its own power. It simply breaks or blocks the power system, ignition, and so on.
True, it happens that the installation of an immobilizer involves a different scheme of work. In this case, the attacker will be able to start the engine and even drive a few tens of meters. However, after that, interruptions begin in the operation of the engine, after which it stalls. It will no longer be possible to start it, and the hijacker will be left alone with a faulty car in a crowded place. As a rule, the car is thrown by the criminal.
Device
What is an immobilizer in a car, perhaps, understood. As for its device, the anti-theft agent is equipped with three, less often two circuit break relays. Alsoso-called "microimmobilizers" are used. These are relays that the central unit controls using high-frequency signals transmitted through the car's standard electrical circuit.
Many of you have heard about how cars are stolen. With an immobilizer, which is mainly installed in the back of the cabin, this is not easy to do. It is almost impossible to find it due to the fact that the wires of the control unit are not connected to the device. And if the microimmobilizer is mounted in the fuse block, then the ability to distinguish it from other fuses is reduced to zero.
At least a dozen
We continue to understand what an immobilizer is in a car. It is fair to say that such microdevices can be installed in unlimited quantities. Some owners order them and 10 pieces. Imagine how long it will take the hijacker to at least detect them all, not to mention neutralize them.
Recently, contactless immobilizers are becoming more and more popular. In this case, the receiving antenna is hidden in the place specified by the customer under the casing, and the control is taken over by a plastic card or key fob. When getting into the car, the owner is required to bring the key fob or card to the antenna, as a result of which all circuits will be unlocked, and the car will be disarmed. Or it will be enough for the driver to carry a card in some pocket, and the system will automatically recognize it.
Domestic market
Domestic manufacturers today can offer several excellent models of immobilizers. One of them is equipped with a single relay, which is controlled by a dedicated wiring unit and can block the ignition when the driver tries to start the engine without having a transponder card with him. It doesn't matter if it was started before or not, the engine will start/continue to run and the car will start moving. After a short time, the immobilizer will simulate a malfunction (interruptions will begin in the operation of the power unit). After that, the movement will be stopped.
Another model also comes with one relay as standard, however, it is capable of more than the above. A microimmobilizer is already mounted here, controlled by the standard wires of the machine. This device allows you to install up to ten such relays. As we have already said, the more there are in the car, the more difficult it is for an attacker to steal.
What to choose?
Some motorists do not stop arguing about which is better, an alarm or an immobilizer. Therefore, we will express one more opinion on this matter. Alarms are much more expensive than immobilizers, and they are also not as compact. It will be just great if the latter become an addition to the car's factory security system.
How about if immobilizers become an independent protection device? And even this is quite real. After all, there are three advantages over signaling. Now weconsider them.
Benefits
First of all, the possibility of a hijacker being intelligently hacked is very low. This is due at least to the fact that the immobilizer "communicates" with the card or key fob at a very short distance, while the car alarm radio signal covers a significant area. Therefore, the so-called "radio interceptors" in the case of the first will be ineffective.
Let's consider another situation. In some auto services, thieves may choose your car. If this happens, employees will be able to make a duplicate of your key without any problems, as well as program a key fob for themselves, which will “make friends” with your car alarm. But copying the key from the immobilizer without having the appropriate card is almost impossible.
Second, you need to mention the size. Immobilizers are so small that their hidden installation can really be called hidden. Conscientious installers are able to hide this equipment so skillfully that the hijacker simply will not be able to determine where this anti-theft device is even for a long period of time.
Third, it's passive defense. The immobilizer allows you to implement the so-called "robbery protection" without the presence or participation of the driver.
Recommendations
Finally, some useful tips. Be sure to get at least two active keys. One, of course, will always be with you, put the other in your house. If a loss occursthe first, the second will allow you to continue driving the car independently.
If at least one immobilizer key is lost, be sure to recode your system as soon as possible. Until you do this, the car is at risk of being stolen. Also, do not keep this key together with all your keys in one bundle.
To increase the recognition range of the card, orient it parallel to the antenna plane of the reader. Do not trust the installation of anti-theft equipment to non-professionals. It can also lead to unfortunate consequences. Now you understand what an immobilizer is in a car and what are its advantages over an alarm.
