Ever worried about your car’s safety? You’re not alone. Thousands of cars are stolen each year, leaving owners stressed and out of pocket.
Understanding its built-in protection systems is one way to boost your car’s security.
A passive disabling device is an automatic security feature that activates when you lock your car and deactivates only when you use the correct key to start the engine.
Curious about how this silent guardian shields your vehicle—or does it? Dive into our blog to uncover the details of passive disabling devices and how they work. Plus, learn how to boost your car’s security with additional anti-theft devices!
What is a passive disabling device?
Passive devices automatically arm themselves when the vehicle is turned off, the ignition key removed, or a door is shut!
A passive disabling device is a car security feature that automatically activates without any action from the driver.
Simply put, it means It works on its own and it’s always guarding your car.
Examples: Immobilizers, automatic door locks, and alarm systems.
Types of passive disabling devices:
Passive anti-theft devices are your car’s first line of defense. These systems work automatically without requiring any action from you.
Automatic passive door locks:
These lock the doors once the car is in motion or a specific time after you’ve left. Many modern vehicles, especially GM models, come with a handy feature called passive door locking.
This means your car locks itself automatically when you:
- Turn off the engine.
- Close all doors.
- Walk away with your key fob.
No more worries about accidentally leaving your doors unlocked.
Audible alarms:
Triggered by unauthorized entry, these loud alarms deter thieves.
Immobilizers:
Prevent the engine from starting without the correct key, making it difficult for thieves to steal your car even if they gain access.
Active disabling devices:
A non-passive disabling system, known as an active disabling device, requires you to take action, while a passive disabling system automatically protects your car without any effort on your part.
Differences between passive and active disabling devices:
| Feature | Passive Disabling Device | Active Disabling Device |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Automatically activated security feature | Requires manual activation by the driver |
| Examples | Immobilizer, passive keyless entry, alarm system | Steering wheel lock, car alarm (when manually activated), GPS tracking |
| Driver action | No action required | Requires manual arming/disarming |
| Level of protection | Basic deterrence | Additional layer of security |
| Effectiveness | Can deter opportunistic thieves but may not stop determined criminals | Can deter and delay theft attempts |
While active disabling devices provide extra protection, they don’t replace the built-in passive security features of modern vehicles.
Depending on your situation and needs, you can temporarily disable the anti-theft system.
Common reasons for doing so might include:
- If you need to leave a window or door slightly open, e.g. when transporting large objects.
- If you are carrying out maintenance or repair work that could trigger the sensors.
- If you have temporarily misplaced your keys and need to access the vehicle.
How passive disabling devices work in specific car models?
Most of the modern cars do have passive disabling devices as part of the features. However, the system used in one model may differ from that of the other car models.
Let us understand the mechanism of passive disabling devices in some of the popular car models:
Honda Civic:
The Honda Civic uses a chip-embedded key, which enables its immobilizer system. This means that before the car can start, the computer has to first recognize the chip installed in your key. Pretty straightforward, yet no-nonsense—it helps prevent car theft.
Tesla:
Tesla does take security seriously. While they do utilize standard immobilizers, their keyless entry with unique fobs enhances this feature. Combined with features like Sentry Mode, Tesla offers strong security.
Mazda:
The passive disabling by Mazda is designed to work user-friendly. It engages itself each and every time one locks thier vehicle; hence, there is no need for any action on your part. This proactive approach helps deter thieves.
BMW:
Most of the BMW models contain advanced immobilizers which are integrated with the keyless entry system. These devices are complex in nature and hard to bypass by the car thieves.
Passive disabling devices: Vehicle compatibility and limitations.
Most of the passive disabling devices are common features in new cars. The majority of the cars sold within the last ten years are fitted with immobilizers, a type of passive disabling technology.
The level of sophistication varies by model and manufacturer. Some vehicles may include additional passive features, like advanced alarm systems or more secure keyless entry options.
Learn how to prevent car theft with keyless entry for more details on enhancing your vehicle’s security.
It is quite difficult to add passive disabling devices especially to older vehicles. Installing a modern immobilizer system to older vehicles may call for massive modifications to the electrical system of the car.
Insurance discounts related to passive disabling devices:
Most insurance companies give better pricing for those vehicles with some form of anti-theft device, and that includes passive disabling systems.
All the same, the discount offered by the insurer varies depending on the particular insurer, the type of device fitted, and the make and model of the vehicle.
Setting up an anti-theft device in your car makes financial sense. Most insurance companies give better prices for cars fitted with anti-theft devices because the risk of theft is lower.
Moreover, cars without a standard immobilizer, such as certain Hyundai and Kia models, are often prime targets for thieves.
This made some insurance companies deny coverage of those car models or raise the premium price.
On the other hand, some insurance companies, however, favor the installation of an active disabling device to grant bigger discounts!
Proof of installation:
You will be required to provide proof of the installed active disabling device to receive the discount.
How can you tell if your vehicle already has a passive disabling device?
To find out if your vehicle has a passive disabling system by the vehicle manufacturer, you simply need to:
- Check your owner’s manual: Your owner’s manual must have included a list of security features equipped with your vehicle.
- Check with your car dealer: They will be able to give you specific information regarding the security system fitted in your car.
- Call your insurance company: Your insurer may have details of the security features that are fitted to your vehicle.
Would you like to know about additional security features or how to enhance your car’s protection?
How well do passive devices protect against modern theft methods? Are they enough on their own?
Passive disabling devices work behind the scenes to deter thieves without any active intervention from the driver.
How effective are they? While they can deter opportunistic thieves, they might not stop determined criminals. Modern thieves often use sophisticated tools and techniques to bypass these systems.
While passive disabling devices like immobilizers and alarms offer a basic level of protection, they are often insufficient against today’s sophisticated theft methods.
Thieves can bypass these systems using various techniques, including:
- Lock picking: Overcoming the physical barrier of the car’s locks.
- Key theft: Accessing car keys to gain entry and start the vehicle.
- Relay theft: Using electronic devices to trick the car’s keyless entry system.
- Diagnostic port hacking: Manipulating the car’s computer system to disable security features.
- Car cloning: Creating duplicate keys to gain access.
So, we aim to make it harder to steal and yet easier to recover right?
What do we do? We add as many security layers as possible!
Combining passive devices with additional security measures is essential to protect your vehicle.
This layered approach offers the best protection against theft.
For deeper insights, explore these topics:
- What were the most stolen vehicles in Canada 2023?
- The Hardest Cars to Steal: Top Cars That Thieves Avoid.
- Top 10 ways to prevent motor vehicle theft in Canada in 2024.
- How to improve car Dealership Security in 2024.
Comparison of passive disabling devices to other anti-theft systems:
Passive disabling devices are just one component of a comprehensive car security strategy.
Let’s check out what other anti-theft devices you can add to protect your vehicle even more:
GPS Tracking Systems:
Helps locate a stolen vehicle, but doesn’t prevent theft. Passive disabling devices act as a first line of defense, while GPS tracking systems assist in vehicle recovery after theft.
Steering Wheel Locks:
Steering wheel locks and kill switches are physical barriers that make it difficult to drive a stolen car. If the thief overcomes the immobilizer by smart tactics, it would take a lot of time to break the steering wheel lock.
Faraday pouches:
These pouches will block signals from your key fob when you put the key inside. Immobilizers form the heart of this system, making it impossible to get your car moving without the right key.
Faraday pouches protect from the outside by jamming the signal to your key fob. By doing so, it makes relay theft pretty impossible.
The two are therefore complementary in safeguarding your vehicle against car thieves.
Igla anti-theft device:
IGLA is a specialized type of active disabling device that provides stronger protection against vehicle theft compared to passive systems. While passive devices rely on existing car systems, IGLA adds an extra layer of defense.
The former are automatic, while the latter needs manual activation — one has to enter a so-called PIN. It shuts down the engine control via CAN bus.
Remote video monitoring:
Well, if you own a parking lot or a car dealership, then you can’t just rely on passive disabling devices inside the vehicles.
You’ll also have to invest in some strategically placed CCTV security cameras so you’re safe from theft.
After that, you have to connect these cameras to a reputed remote video monitoring system.
As soon as the AI security camera detects a security breach, the video alarm gets triggered at the live video monitoring center.
The diligent operators quickly take action by assessing the situation via footage examination, and take prompt action as per the SOPs set by the client!
Conclusion:
Don’t let car thieves ruin your day.
Your car’s built-in security system starts with passive disabling devices. These are features that work automatically to protect your vehicle without any action from you.
Understanding passive disabling devices is a great first step, but remember, no single security feature is foolproof.
Passive disabling devices automatically activate when you lock your car, while active disabling devices serve as a stronger, more intentional barrier against theft.
Contact us today to see a demo of how we secure assets, property, and people with our remote video monitoring services for parking lot security & automotive dealership security!
