Why you need a tilt sensor
Think how much it would suck to wake up one morning only to find that your wheels had been stolen from your car!
Not much fun, hey? Tilt sensors (also called level sensors) are designed to protect you car from this scenario.
How do you protect your wheels against theft?
Most car alarm systems do not offer protection against wheel theft. Adding a tilt sensor is recommended especially if you have nice wheels. Let’s face it the cost of replacement tyres alone can be eye watering.
Wheel & tyre theft prevention
Locking wheel nuts alone may not be enough to stop a determined thief. I recommend both. The more layers of protection you have the better.
Do shock sensors protect against wheel theft?
Whilst some alarms have a shock/vibration sensor, the reality is that these are generally found on cheap systems and are one of the biggest causes of false alarms, especially in windy Wellington where cars can get rocked about! Personally, I’m not a fan of alarms that cry wolf, so try to avoid these.
How do tilt sensors work?
Tilt sensors don’t pick up vibrations; instead, they look for a constant change in angle. This makes them far more effective.
When the alarm is armed the tilt sensor notes the angle at which the vehicle is parked. If it detects the car tilt more than about 1 degree, it will trigger the alarm system as shown in the video below:
Tilt sensors also protect against vehicle towing and catalytic converter theft
It’s not just your wheels and tyres that the tilt sensor protects. As they detect a change in angle any attempt to lift the vehicle up to tow it will also trigger the system.
Catalytic converter theft is becoming an issue due to the precious metals they contain. Most vehicles need to be jacked up to access the catalytic converter so a tilt sensor will trigger the alarm before any damage has been done to the vehicle.
A tilt sensor can be fitted to most alarms, but the good alarms give you the option to disable the sensor so you can take the car on the ferry whilst still being able to arm the system.
Tilt Sensor included with the 4822 Alarm
The Vodafone Automotive 4822 includes a built in level sensor. The alarm is programmed before installation so it knows what axis the unit is going to me mounted. It can also have the angle of tilt adjusted to suit the vehicle.
Tilt alarm angle settings
The tilt angle can be calibrated for either 0.9°, 1.1° or 1.3°
Optional Level Sensor
The Vodafone Automotive 5452 Level sensor is my normal go to for alarms that don’t include a tilt sensor as standard.
RRP: $150.00
FAQs
Do tilt sensors prevent wheel theft?
No, but they will trigger the alarm if the vehicle is jacked up before the wheel is off the ground.
Can a tilt sensor be added to any car alarm?
A tilt sensor can only be added to an alarm that has a ground when armed output as well as an auxiliary input.
Can I still arm my alarm on the ferry?
That depends. Most good alarm allow you to turn off the tilt sensor when arming the alarm. If you don’t have this option then don’t arm the alarm.
Does a tilt sensor work if I park my car on steep driveway?
Yes – when you are the alarm the level sensor turns on. It notes the current angle the vehicle is parked at. It then triggers the alarm if the angle changes.
Do tilt sensors cause false alarms?
No – good tilt sensors are very reliable.
Do tilt sensors work on lowered cars?
Yes. The height of the car is not a factor as the sensor detect a change in angle.
I deal with a wide range of car alarm sensors. Some come as standard with certain alarm models., whilst others can be added to get the perfect level of protection for your vehicle.
