TIPS ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR CAR

Remove valuables from the car
Take your satellite navigation system, car stereo and personal belongings out of a car. If you can`t take them with you, hide them in the glove compartment, boot or under the seats.

Ladies, do not leave handbags on the passenger seat. Place them on the floor away from view from outside. Also avoid use of laptops at night in the car.

Wipe sucker marks off the windscreen and be wary of fitting sat navigation brackets to the dashboard - there have been many reported cases of opportunist thieves breaking into vehicles on the off-chance that the sat navigation handset is hidden inside.

Keep doors locked
Lock your doors and close your windows when leaving your vehicle unattended and keep doors locked whilst driving. This stops thieves from grabbing your personal belongings off your seat whilst you are waiting at traffic lights or stuck in a queue.

Never leave documents in a vehicle Don't store documents such as your driving license and vehicle registration document in the vehicle.

Fit an approved alarm if you have none. Cars with security equipment are said to be ten times safer than those without it ? so make sure you use the equipment if you have it. If you don`t have it, it`s worth investing in.

Fit an immobiliser
Electronic engine immobilisers will make life difficult for thieves as they prevent hot-wiring. They now come as standeard features (factory fitted) on most modern cars.

Fit a tracker to performance or prestige models
Fitting a GPS vehicle tracker means that your vehicle will be tracked and recovered as soon as it triggers as stolen. It`s a worthwhile investment for performance and prestige models.

Use additional security devices as deterrents
Steering wheel locks are a good deterrent, as are gear-stick locks. Also use locking wheel nuts to prevent thieves targeting your alloy wheels.

Park with security in mind
As much as possible avoid overnight parking on the streets. Use a garage for overnight parking if possible, otherwise park in a well lit area rather than in the shadows.

Registration etching
Have your registration etched unto the windows, door handles, tire rims, mirrors, headlights and other "attractive areas" of your vehicle. This makes it more difficult for the car to be sold with false number plates.

Prevent car jacking
Wear your seatbelt at all times as car jacking relies on speed and a seatbelt slows down the process of parting you from your car. When stopped in traffic, leave enough room to manouevre so that you can pull round the car in front if you feel threatened. Never open the door of your car to talk to strangers, or roll your window all the way down- by rolling down the window slightly you prevent an attacker from reaching in and opening your door, snatching your jewellery or robbing you at knifepoint.

Be conscious of your surroundings when driving.

The use of vehicle transponders was introduced as a result of the German Insurance bodies refusing to underwrite vehicles that did not have some form of passive electronic immobilisation. The passive meaning that no action had to be undertaken by the user to 'arm' the system.

A transponder system comprises two primary components being the processor/interrogator and a microchip (transponder) embedded within the head of the key. The processor usually interacts with the fuel injection and varied other vehicle electronics systems.

When an attempt to start the vehicle is made, the interrogator sends a burst of Radio Frequency (RF) energy - at a defined frequency - to an antenna which usually surrounds the face of the ignition cylinder. As the transponder contains a tuned circuit matched to the frequency of the RF burst, a small voltage is generated by induction within the transponder chip. The result is that the induced voltage causes the transponder chip to emit, by RF, it's individual code number - a thirty two (32) digit number, which can also contains alfa numeric characters.

If the processor recognises the returned code number, it then allows the starter motor, fuel pump and/or fuel injection systems to function, and allow the vehicle to start. A common sign of a faulty or absent transponder is that the vehicle will start but will only run for a few  seconds.

Most modern car keys are three keys in one.

i. A mechanical key will release the steering lock,

ii. A coded electronic transponder chip is read by the car when the key is inserted in the ignition,

iii. A remote control will unlock the doors and turn off the alarm

These keys are secure but are also expensive and time consuming to replace if lost or broken. Treat keys as you would expensive jewellery – keep them in a safe/secure place.

• Electronic, coded transponder chips embedded in the plastic body of the key were introduced from 1995. The chip is passive, so it doesn't need a battery – the code is read when you turn the key in the ignition.

• If the transponder chip is broken or missing, the engine won't start.

• You will need to return to the dealer if you wish to replace your key. The dealer will have to reprogramme the immobiliser's control unit to recognise the new key code.

Master keys

Many early cars were supplied with a 'master key' (often red), which was not intended for normal use. The dealer uses the master key to programme a new or replacement key for the car.

• Unfortunately, if you damage or lose the master key it could cost a fortune replace. You may have to replace the complete engine management system which is also quite costly.

• Car manufacturers have virtually stopped using master keys. They now hold car-specific security information in a central database, which the dealer uses when reprogramming the car and a replacement key.

• If you're buying a used car, check the handbook. Make sure you get all the keys including a master key if necessary.

Transponder Code Types

Fixed Codes (Non-Encrypted)

Early transponders used 'fixed codes' – the key sends exactly the same coded signal every time it's used.

1. Key transmits the same signal every time

2. Vehicle compares key signal to vehicle database

3. If match is found, vehicle is enabled

Rolling Codes (Non-Encrypted)

Keys with 'rolling codes', means the transponder code changes every time the key is used, were introduced from 1999 and are now very common.

• These should be virtually impossible to copy. They offer improved security but they're even more expensive to replace if lost.

• Time and cost vary from manufacturer to manufacturer – expect to pay a hefty amount and wait for some time for a replacement key.

• The key might be even more expensive to replace if it includes a remote control for operating central locking and the alarm.

It is in limited use (i.e. BMW, Mercedes)

1. Each time the vehicle is started, the key transmits one signal from an internal list of fixed code signals.
2. Vehicle compares key signal to vehicle database
3. If match is found, vehicle is enabled

Encrypted Code
The BCM or ECM and the key both feature an encrypted code. These codes change with each start.

1. Key transmits a unique identification signal
2. Vehicle responds with a question or "challenge code"
3. Vehicle & Key calculate the "answer"
4. Key Transmits answer
5. Vehicle compares two answers
6. If match is found, vehicle is enabled

** Some main dealers will not release the transponder codes to allow for the re-programming of their transponder keys. Information may not be available via dealers on certain models, specific model years, and even different types of ECU that may have been fitted in the same year in the same models – upgrades for example. In these situations we would inform you that you have no choice but to take your vehicle to a main dealer. **