All car owners want to feel their vehicle is safe and protected from theft. The fact is that even older cars are targets for those wanting joyrides, or requiring a vehicle for another crime. It is therefore reassuring that engine immobilizer not only exist, but are now mandatory in new cars. Visit : Auto Repair Murfreesboro TN
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How do car engine immobilizer work?
A car engine immobilizer is an electronic device fitted to the engine of a car that prevents it starting unless the correct token or key is used. It can be fitted as standard to a car, or as an aftermarket add on fitted later. immobilizer work by disabling at least two of three main systems. They are
- Ignition
- Fuel system
- Starter motor
By disabling any two of these an immobilizer prevents the engine from starting.
Generally how they are activated and turned off these days is that a microcircuit within the key activates a binary code that is then relayed to the car’s Electronic Control Unit (ECU), which then ‘recognises’ the correct code and allows all three systems above to be activated.
Am immobilizer shouldn’t be confused with a car alarm, they are often integrated but the former is preventive and the latter is reactive to an attempt to steal a car.
Engine immobilizer and car security
Statistics seem to indicate that engine immobilizer are a huge success. In USA roughly half of all cars now have immobilizer, but only about 7% of overall thefts involve such vehicles and even in those cases the thief often had access to the key. Part of the success of immobilizer may be a deterrent factor – thieves know they present too much challenge and therefore avoid them. The end result is that a car with an immobilizer is vastly less likely to be stolen.
Should I get an engine immobilizer?
The answer put simply is ‘yes’. immobilizer are mandatory in all vehicles in USA as of 2001, but if you have an older car it only costs around $200 to have one fitted. Statistics show that older cars are attractive targets of crime, so the age of your car won’t deter thieves and you can not rely upon that. Car engine immobilizer work and they are helping reduce car theft.