How to Upgrade OEM Security

Aftermarket vehicle security manufacturers have all sorts of ways you can upgrade an OEM security system. In many cases, you may leave the dealer’s lot with a car that includes keyless entry. There are no sensors, siren, LED or ignition disabler. Other cars may include a starter immobilizer system which features a key with an embedded microchip that transmits a signal to a device next to the ignition. Yet the car may not have any other security components.

 

You can simply buy an LED indicator that includes red lights that flash when the car is off. This would indicate to a thief that the vehicle is protected by an alarm system when it is not. You get no real protection against a break-in. The LED is simply meant to encourage a thief to go to the next car that does not have an LED and a security device. 

 

Many auto security manufacturers offer products that work with the factory keyless entry system as well as provide a plethora of other features including a shock sensor, starter kill, a flashing LED, a siren, the ability to honk the car’s horn, and tie into the factory switches on the doors and trunk so that the new device can sense if the doors or trunk have been opened. Moreover, a pinswitch can be added to the hood which then senses if the hood has been opened. With these systems, you get audible chirps which confirms that the alarm has been armed or disarmed by a remote control. 

 

There are unsophisticated aftermarket systems that piggyback the factory keyless entry system that include features mentioned as well as programmable disarm modes, a plug-in override switch, alarm pre-warning signal and a multi-tone siren.

 

More sophisticated aftermarket systems can be integrated with the factory keyless entry system and used to add layers of more security including passive arming, and anti-carjacking features.

 

And there are modules that allow the integration of only an aftermarket dual zone shock sensor and an LED status indicator. 

 

And there are a number of more sophisticated modules that actually integrates an aftermarket security system into the factory alarm system and vehicle databus. These modules permit the use of two-way controller remotes; as well as add remote start, shock sensors, sirens and starter interrupt. 

 

You can also add components individually to build up the security capability of the factory system. For example, you can add a shock or microwave sensor, a siren, a back-up battery to assure that the alarm can still get power if something happens to the car’s battery, and pinswitches to assure that doors and windows are monitored. These devices can be added over time or in one installation. An important point to remember is that building a system like this could be more expensive than buying a package upgrade that has all of these features included. 

 

Finally, you can add a stand alone remote start system that allows you to start your car with the press of a button on the remote. 

 

So now if you are concerned about security, there are a number of options open to you. Buy that car with a factory system and then upgrade later.