How to Choose Car Security
What to look for:
- Motion sensors let you leave the top down or the windows open. They are
also good for protecting the cargo areas in vans and trucks. The sensors will
sound the alarm if someone invades your space.
- Glass-break sensors sound the alarm when they "hear" a window breaking.
This protects you from the thief who believes he can bypass your alarm by not
opening the door.
- Driver's side priority unlock lets you open your door without unlocking
the others. You can get in your vehicle without letting your guard down.
- Remote outputs allow you to expand the alarm's capabilities by adding
features like a remote starter or window controls. Most alarms come with at
least one remote output. Consider everything you want the security system to
do (now and in the future) when choosing an alarm.
- When Crime Guard interconnect harnesses are available for your vehicle,
Crime Guard security systems are much easier to install than other brands.
Why buy a car security system?
Protecting yourself and your family, as well as
your vehicle and your car stereo are all excellent reasons to invest in a car
security system. Additionally, most insurance companies offer lowered rates for
vehicles equipped with an alarm — it'll pay for itself!
A good security system not only makes your car more difficult to steal, it also
makes it easier to live with. The small remote control that you carry with your
keys lets you arm and disarm the alarm, lock and unlock your doors, and maybe
even zap open your trunk. How's that for convenience?
FREE wiring guide with your system!
For most vehicles made up to 1995, Crutchfield
gives you a sheet that tells the location and color of the wires you need to
access in your vehicle. For most vehicles made after 1995, we gladly provide the
wiring information over the phone, by fax, or by e-mail. This helpful
information is FREE with your security system purchase! You also get our free
publication, How to Install a Car Security System.
We help you install your own alarm and save
When you order your alarm from Crutchfield, you
can also count on the exclusive toll-free Technical Support we offer our
customers. Sixteen hours a day, seven days a week, experienced, patient experts
are ready to answer your questions (just have your invoice handy when you call).
It's like having a pro look over your shoulder while you work!
How a typical security system works
When you leave the car, push the button that arms
your system. You hear your doors lock, and a siren chirp tells you your vehicle
is protected. If you've accidentally left a door ajar, the system alerts you
with a different sound.
When you walk away, you feel confident, assured. The first thing a thief sees
when he approaches your car is a flashing LED that tells him your system is
armed. Often, that's enough to make him look elsewhere.
If the thief tries to tamper with your vehicle, he'll get a warning chirp or a
full siren blast. The security system "brain" decides which sort of warning to
give based on the severity of the tampering and the type of sensors the thief
trips.
When you return to your car, use the remote to disarm the system and unlock your
doors or pop open the trunk. You can even use the remote to sound the siren if
you can't find your car or if someone is bothering you.
Crime Guard harnesses make your security
system installation a lot easier
For most vehicles, the installation begins with a
Type A harness that makes connections for +12 volts, ground, starter disable and
ignition — saving you time and effort on your installation. Connect a couple of
sensors and you've got basic protection. (In some cases, you may need to splice
a few wires to get all the features you want.)
Additional harnesses may also be available for your
vehicle:
- for remote door-lock control
- for parking-light flash
- for dome light activation
- for trunk or hatch release
- for remote engine start