An Immobiliser is an electronic device designed to stop a car from being driven away without the correct key. In other words it prevents the vehicle from being hot-wired.
Whilst most European cars have had them fitted as standard since 1998 due to legislation, it is still not even a basic requirement here in NZ. Even our cousins across the ditch made it mandatory for new vehicles to have them installed back in 2001 and the statistics from both Australia and Europe prove that they are effective.
After market Immobilisers
It is my opinion that factory installed Immobilisers are more effective then aftermarket systems, the main reason for this is the installation, if the Immobiliser is easy to find then it is normally easy to by-pass. Our consumerist nature to hunt in search of the cheapest price results in an installer trying to fit the system in the minimum possible time, this in turn leads to short cuts being taken and an installation that is not very effective.
Aftermarket Immobiliser Options
There are three basic options for aftermarket Immobilisers, all of them should immobilise the vehicle within 40 seconds of the engine being turned off. The first is a transponder Immobiliser which allows the vehicle to start only if the transponder tag or chip is in proximity of the ignition barrel. The tag normally attaches to the key ring like the above photo.
The next type is the touch key Immobiliser which requires the touch key to make contact with the receiver pad before allowing the vehicle to start, this is not as nice to live with as the transponder Immobiliser as a conscious effort to disarm the system is required.
The third type is the remote Immobiliser which disarms the system when the remote is pressed, this is the most common type found in New Zealand and usually comes as part of a car alarm.
Over the coming weeks we shall be looking at the NZSA and Thatcham standards for Immobilisers and some of the different systems that are available.
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“It is my opinion that factory installed Immobilisers are more effective then aftermarket systems, the main reason for this is the installation, if the Immobiliser is easy to find then it is normally easy to by-pass.”
But is it not the case that factory immobilisers would always be installed in the same place for a given make/model? Therefore once a thief has stolen a particular car once, stealing it again should be trivial?
Hi Eddie,
I understand your point, but given that factory immobilisers are generally built into the ECU on most new cars it is not a simple case of being able to by-pass them. Sure the vehicle may be at risk from a good professional thief with the right equipment but it certainly puts the system beyond the capability of a opportunist thief.
The statistics I have come across support my view point: Read this article on scoop.co.nz
“According to Subaru New Zealand, the marked Subaru range has not seen one theft here since its March 2003 introduction.”
On Subarus in Australia, the unrecovered theft rate initially fell four years ago by 93% and has stayed much that way since.
Of course I accept that the Microdots are also a big reason for the drop in Subaru theft but on the whole it would suggest that the Immobiliser is effective. Obviously the more security there is to get past then the harder it would be to take the vehicle. An upgrade alarm on top of a factory immobiliser would be my preference.
The main point of the Blog is that the Immobiliser is only as good as the install, and on the whole most of the “after market” installs I come across are not that flash!
Please read my posts titled NZSA 3 Star or Thatcham Cat 2? and Even the Car thieves Agree…
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Hi Julian, could you please tell me what it means when the alarm mention to have dual immobiliser?
great job with reviewing the alarm for us non-technical persons,
chers
Hi Ewen,
Good question, it seems I completely overlooked explaining that part of it!
An Immobiliser cut is simply a wire in the vehicle that when cut prevents the car from running. For example if I cut the wire going to the starter motor then it will get no power and prevent the car from starting. Other immobiliser cuts could be the fuel pump, ignition, ECU or various other circuits which can stop a car from running.
When disarmed the immobiliser re-connects the cut (or cuts) and allows the vehicle to start as normal.
The term “dual immobiliser” simply states that two immobiliser circuits have been cut.