What is an immobilizer in a car and what is it for?

Every car owner worries that his "iron horse" does not go to the hijackers. So let's talk about what an immobilizer is in a car. This is equipment that can prevent the vehicle from moving on its own. It simply tears or blocks the power system, ignition and so on.

True, it happens that the installation of an immobilizer assumes another 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 this, the engine starts intermittent, after which it stalls. It will not work anyway, 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 arrangement, the anti-theft facility is equipped with three, rarely two, circuit breakers. So-called "microimmimmays" are also used. These are such relays that the central unit controls by means of high-frequency signals transmitted through the vehicle's integral electric circuit.

Many of you have heard about how cars are stolen. With an immobilizer, which is mainly installed in the rear of the cabin, this is not easy to do. It is almost impossible to find it because the control unit wires are not connected to the device . And if the micro-immobilizer is mounted in the safety block, then the ability to distinguish it from the 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 note that such micro devices can be installed in unlimited quantities. Some owners order them and 10 pieces each. Imagine how long it will take a hijacker to at least find them all, not to mention the detoxification.

In recent years, contactless immobilizers are becoming more and more popular. In this case, the receiving antenna is hidden in the place indicated by the customer under the skin, and the management takes over the plastic card or key chain. When landing in the car from the owner, you need to bring the keychain or card to the antenna, as a result of which all the circuits will be unlocked and the car will be disarmed. Or the driver will be enough to carry a card in any pocket, and the system will automatically recognize it.

The domestic market

Domestic manufacturers today can offer several excellent models of immobilizers. One of them is equipped with a single relay that is controlled by the unit via dedicated wiring and can block the ignition when the driver tries to start the engine without having a transponder card. It does not matter whether it was wound up before or not, the engine will start / continue its operation, and the car will start moving. After a short while the immobilizer will simulate a malfunction (in the operation of the power unit there will be interruptions). After that, the traffic will be stopped.

Another model in the standard configuration is also equipped with one relay, however, it is capable of more, in contrast to the above. There is already mounted a microimpact, controlled by the regular wires of the machine. This device makes it possible to install up to ten of these relyushek. As we have already said, the more they are in the car, the harder it is to hijack the attacker.

What to choose?

Some motorists do not cease to argue about what is better, an alarm system or an immobilizer. Therefore, let us express one more opinion on this matter. Alarms are much more expensive than immobilizers, and they are not as compact. It will be simply great if the latter become an addition to the factory car security system.

And how about immobilizers becoming an independent protection device? And even this is quite real. After all, there are three advantages over signaling. Now we will consider them.

Benefits

First, the possibility of intellectual hacking by a hijacker 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 signal of the car alarm covers a considerable space. Therefore, the so-called "radio interceptors" in the case of the first will be ineffective.

Consider another situation. In some car-care centers, hijackers can hijack your car. If this happens, employees will be able to duplicate your key without any problems, and also program a keychain that will "make friends" with the alarm of your car. But to copy the key from the immobilizer, without having an appropriate card, is almost impossible.

Secondly, you need to mention the dimensions. Immobilizers are so small that their hidden installation can indeed be called hidden. Conscientious installers are able to hide this equipment so skillfully that the hijacker simply can not determine where the anti-theft device is located, even for a long period of time.

Third, it is passive protection. Immobilizer allows you to realize without the presence or participation of the driver the so-called "protection from robbery."

Recommendations

Finally, a few useful tips. Be sure to get at least two active keys. One, of course, will always be with you, put another in your house. If the loss of the first occurs, the second will allow you to continue the independent movement of the car.

If the loss of at least one key from the immobilizer has occurred, be sure to recode your system in the very near future. While you do not, the car is at risk of being stolen. Also, do not hold this key along with all your keys in one bundle.

To increase the range of card recognition, orient it parallel to the antenna plane of the reader. Do not trust the installation of anti-theft equipment to non-professionals. This can also lead to sad consequences. Now you understand what an immobilizer is in a car and what are its advantages over signaling.