Car theft raises the alarm

By T. Uncle

THE question is not so much which car alarm system is best -- it's more a matter of deciding whether such systems are effective in preventing theft in the first place.

Carmakers have concentrated a lot of research on improving car security in recent times.

We know that the old ploy of inserting a coat hanger through the seal between the window frame and the glass is not effective anymore not on new cars anyway -- and jump-starting a stolen vehicle is virtually impossible, what with the engine immobilization systems, deadlocking, and rolling-code electronic ignition switches now in common use.

Car security these days relies on a little more than steering locks, or tamper-resistant door locks.

So, what is the point of an alarm that does nothing more than advertise that an attempt is made at breaking into something virtually impossible to steal anyway?

Basically, the alarm is the first line of defense against theft.

A would-be car-napper setting off a shrieking alarm is not likely to want to hang around trying to master the electronic codes preventing the car from being driven away.

At the same time, the intending thief is also less likely to attempt a quick smash-and-grab of valuable goods that may be sitting on the seat -- such as a mobile phone, or a wallet, or even a selection of CDs -- while a strident alarm is announcing that the car is being tampered with.

With this is mind, many carmakers -- and practically every carmaker selling in the luxury bracket -- utilize some sort of alarm system to deter spontaneous smash-and-grab raids.

These are different again to the efforts of the determined, professional car thief who is out to steal the whole car.

The alarm is usually a part of an overall security system that includes the devices -- the rolling-code ignition key systems, the theft-proof door locks -- mentioned earlier.

However, some alarm systems commonly used by many carmakers represent little more than a token attempt at protecting the vehicle's contents.

In some cases, it will take little short of an ax attack to provoke the alarm into sounding off.

Vigorous rocking, reaching through an open window in an otherwise locked car with the system armed will, with many so- called alarm systems, produce nothing more than a profound silence -- which is obviously of no benefit to anyone except the intending thief.

A serious system will incorporate features such as motion sensors that detect movement inside the vehicle, glass breakage sensors, tilt sensors that are sensitive to any change in the angle of the vehicle -- if, for example, it is being prepared to be towed away -- as well as the usual sensors that are set off if a door, the trunk, or the hood is opened, or if the ignition is tampered with.

Unfortunately many carmakers see maximized security as an add- on feature.

Many offer just a basic alarm system and list state-of-the-art theft deterrents requiring extra electronics -- such as the tilt sensor mentioned earlier -- as optional.

Perhaps the worst area of all is the aftermarket installer.

There has been more than one case where a buyer has had an alarm system "installed", only to find later that the system comprised little more than a couple of window stickers and a couple of dummy movement sensors inside the vehicle.

An expensive way to get a false sense of security.

That said, anything that sets one car apart from others parked along the curb -- such as a prominent warning that the vehicle is fitted with an alarm -- just might encourage a quick-grab thief to look elsewhere and is therefore not a bad deterrent as far as casual pilfering is concerned.

The bottom line is that car alarms are something quite different to inbuilt theft-protection systems using engine immobilizers, steering and transmission locks.

An alarm is, at best, a deterrent designed to make a potential thief think again before attempting to grab something of value that is clearly visible from outside.

The secondary security comes into play at the point when an attempt is made to actually make away with the car.

The basic tips are: think carefully about where you park your car -- especially at night -- always double-check it is actually locked and, most importantly, dont leave anything lying on the seat, or visible inside the vehicle, that might prove an irresistible temptation.

It is amazing how quickly a side window can be smashed and your wallet, jewelry or mobile phone whisked away.

And, yes, a good alarm is not a bad investment -- just make sure you are getting what you paid for.