Security
 

Cars these days are getting stolen at an alarming rate. And no matter how secure your car may be, if a professionally skilled thief wants your car, he'll get it given enough time. But it doesn't hurt to instill a little more preventative measures to secure your car from low-life bastards. For most of the time, thieves are just looking for easy victims, and will pick a harmless unsecured over a more difficultly secured one. So with that in mind, let's consider how to make your car a little more secure.

To start, you could always use The Club, or other steering wheel lock devices. These mechanical locking mechanisms you attach on the steering wheel to prevent it from turning. But thieves can still smash your window, open the door, and start cutting your steering wheel with a hacksaw all in 10 seconds without attracting too much attention. They could also pop the lock on the locking device itself. To compliment this, you'll want a more audible and attention getting device. An alarm system. You can get a simple alarm, like the factory alarm, which only goes off whenever the door is opened. Or, you can get something more fancy, which will lock/unlock the doors, roll up your windows, start your car, walk the dog, get your paper, etc. Alarms are not only added security, but some of the features offered now-a-days are very convenient.

There are a lot of auto alarm companies out there. Clifford, Avital, Ungo, Alpine, and Viper are just some of the many out there. All differ on price, features, and complicity. They range from $100 - $600, depending on what features and conveniences you want. You'll have to do a lot of research to find out which one is best for you and the area you live in. Some of the premium systems offer really convenient features like rolling up your windows when you arm the system, remote keyless entry, starting your engine remotely, perimeter sensors, etc. Of course the new thing is the anti-code grabbing technology. Currently thieves have gone high-tech and use remote scanners to "grab" your code that your remote control transmits to your car when you arm it. And once you away from your vehicle, they re-transmit this code they grabbed, essentially disarming your alarm system and running off with your car. To combat this, alarm companies have incorporated an mathmatical algorithm so that your remote control never sends the same code twice. Of course the thief can try to mix around the code sequence to guess at the algorithm, but there are hundreds of thousands of combinations. But basically it comes down whether or not you are willing to spend the money for convenience and added security.





  Clifford Bullet II
Jim Trinh [1991 sedan]
"There was a sale at the local stereo places so I dropped on by and got myself a Clifford. It's a rather simple alarm with a 12 button remote (4 buttons with 3 channels). It's the middle of the line Clifford offers, so it's moderately filled with features. If you can, go with a reputable company and try to get some of the more convenient features available. Here are some of the features I have:

  • anti-code grabbing technology
  • auto arming capability
  • controllable chirp muting
  • flashing lights
  • ignition kill
  • internal courtesy lighting
  • remote door lock/unlock
  • remote trunk release
  • remote smart windows
  • shock sensor
  • valet mode
  • warning chirp

    • This alarm has been a blessing. I can't tell you how convenient it is to have your door lock and unlock remote without having to jam that key in the hole. It prevents you from scratching that keyhole when you fumble trying to insert that key. Plus it prevents you from locking yourself out of the car since you need your keys to arm your alarm (unless you enable the automatic arming feature which arms the system 20 seconds after the doors are closed and the key is not in the ignition). This is one of the best convenience features for modern times. Another great feature I've found invaluable is the remote trunk release. Sometimes you're walking back from shopping and you need to put a package in the trunk. Well, instead of having to open the door and fumbling for the trunk release button, you can just open it from your remote.

    One thing that does irk me is when the battery on the remote control is low, you can't disarm the alarm system! There's no warning or anything on the remote unit. So basically if the battery ever goes dead and you're in the middle of no where, you're stuck there until you can get a replacement battery. It's funny because there was this one time my battery went out and I was at a store parking lot. This was during lunch, and I had to get back to work. So I was pretty much stuck there like an idiot. Even if I did buy a new battery, I couldn't open the shell casing because I need a screwdriver. In the end I managed to force open the shell and replace the battery (because I was lucky enough to have a drug store in that shopping center) and disarm my system.

    But overall I'm very happy with my aftermarket alarm system. I would definately recommend everyone getting one along with the functions I've listed. Plus I got this really cool looking remote unit. It's a black and gray carbon-fiber appearance remote with black buttons. It looks very unique, which I guess was the reason why I got it!"
    Khalid Wahab [1992 sedan]
    "I got a really good deal on an Ungo alaram that included key less entry, trunk release, glass microphone, tilt sensor (for the wheels), shock sensor, warning chirp, back battery, and a bunch of other ones that I don't remember. So far I have had no problems with it. There have been no false alarams except once when we had a ice and snow storm and when it was over the snow and ice started falling on the car outside and activated the alaram. I really like the glass microphone. My installation was also custom. I installed the alaram inside the cover over the front wheel. So you have to take the wheel off to get to the alaram.

    Overall, I recommend Ungo because of the reasonable price. I had this list of features shown to other shops and asked them for an alaram with those features. The quotes ranged from $500-$800 for a normal install under the front bumper. I installed mine for $325! Just keyless entry at the dealership is $499. You can do the math!"



      Safety Tips
    Alred Tom [1994 coupe]
    "In terms of anti-theft, I'd hate to consider myself as an expert, but after numerous experiences, I have a pretty good idea on how to lower the risk of having your car stolen. Note that I said "lower the risk" cus if a pro wants your car, he'll have your car even if that means towing it on a flatbed, or putting a gun in your face.

    The Legend, being a high profile car, gets alot of attention with it. If you're like most on the list, you'd probably customized it with wheels, tint, system, and what not. Before we talk about accessories, let's talk about being smart, and be aware of your surroundings. If you plan to park in an area, don't go booming your stereo around there. Your car will be a sitting duck with people knowing you have a system. Park with the wheels turned towards the curb, and pull the parking brake. This makes towing a bit more difficult. Window tint can sometimes work against you cus curious thieves will break your windows to see what's inside. Have aftermarket alarm leds mounted on the door, visible through the tinted glass. Don't leave anything visible in the car. I've seen a bum break into a car for an umbrella. Then we have the most common theft-deterent devices:

  • The Club
    		•  can be disabled either by cutting it, the steering wheel, or popping the lock. Takes less than a minute to disable.
  • Car Alarm
    		•  remember this is an electronic device, and all electronic device can be disabled with relatively little physical labor (ie, cutting a few wires). It doesn't matter if you use a no name alarm, or Clifford alarm. If it isn't installed correctly, it won't work properly. Find yourself a reputable installer. What you pay is usually what you get. If the alarm is installed in 20 minutes, you know something is fishy. Installing an alarm properly takes planning (ie. where to mount the brain, where to hide the wires, kill switch, disarm button, etc). Some bonehead installer will either put the brain of the alarm in open view. Most popular, under the steering wheel, or seat. Even more bizzare, in the hood compartment, where it's exposed to nature's element. The best location to mount it is inside the dash, where it's harder to get to. Then we have the siren, where it's mostly mounted under the hood. If the thieve have access under your hood, he can disable the battery, or cut the wires to the siren. A silent alarm gives him all the time in the world to do damage to your car.
  • Hood Lock
    		•  get a hoodlock to prevent thieves from opening the hood! Your car's life is all under the hood. By getting a hoodlock, you protect your engine components, battery, and the siren. Good hoodlocks makers are Medico and Duralock.

    So we'd covered the club, alarm, and hoodlock. The combination of the 3 will do a pretty good job in deterring thieves. To do more, you can add the transmission lock by MultiLock. It's a heavy duty lock with a shaft which can be bolted or welded to your car's chassis. it uses a cuff to lock your shifter in place. Remember, electronic devices can be disabled by cutting a few wires but when you pile on mechanical devices, which actually requires more time and energy to disable. not all car thieves carry big cumbersome tools. Most are only armed with a lock popper (for the Club), and a screwdriver (steering column). To protect your airbag, the Club and a few other company have come out with this big pan shaped thingy you put over your steering wheel. Yes, it's a pain in the ass to put that on. But what's a pain for you to put on, is a pain for the thieves to take off.

    Now let's talk a little about Lojack and other tracking devices. Lojack in my opinion is not a theft deterent device. It's only a tracking device. The drawback of this device is, if you don't realize your car is missing, it's not activated, and no one will track it. For example, it's night time, your beautiful Legend is parked on the streets, you go to sleep. You wake up in the morning, and god forbid, the car is gone. You call the cops, the cops activate Lojack. But by this time, many many hours could've gone by, and it takes around 30 minutes for pros to strip your car clean from head to toe. Yes, Lojack can help you recover your car from amateurs, and joy riders. Hmm, I guess that's pretty good also.

    The new fad is GST, global satellite tracking, using cellular technology. It literally puts you through with a live operator in case of an emergency, and it tracks your car real time on satellite, with options to kill the engine. Pretty neat stuff. I almost got one installed on my car. But it's expensive, and requires monthly monitoring fees also if your car alarm comes on, the operator will verify the prove of ownership. If that fails, the operator will contact you, police, track the car/disable the vehicle. You can even ask for directions in real time! Then again, all these can be defeated by driving the car in a steal lined truck, or a basement parking complex.

    Your car is never safe if a professional wants it. The best you can do is pile on as much stuff as you can to protect it. Club, hoodlock (Medico or Duralock), transmission lock (Multilock), alarm (Clifford w/motion sensors), Tracking device (OnGuard - do a web search on this, I forgot the URL but very neat stuff). Oh yeah, did i forget to mention the cheap yet effective wheel locks for your custom wheels!!

    This is getting kinda long. But if you have any more questions, feel free to drop me an email. I'll find a couple of numbers for you to call to get some of these accessories. Until then, if only I know of a way to stop punks from keying/dinging my car."





    Source Information Website
    Clifford Auto Security None www.clifford.com
    LoJack None www.lojack.com