How to Choose Car Security

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