What is an Immobilizer? Here are its Functions and How It Works
You must have heard the term car immobilizer? Although it is not unfamiliar, some people still do not know the term. An immobilizer is a security feature embedded by several car manufacturers in modern and latest model cars. This feature has its own functions and ways of working that are quite crucial. To satisfy your curiosity, let's take a look at the review below.
What is a Car Immobilizer?
As explained earlier, a car immobilizer is a security feature embedded by car manufacturers in modern cars. This feature is a development of advanced technology systems placed on a microchip. This microchip is then inserted into the car key.
The microchip contains unique and different codes, so each car has a different key. Thus, the car cannot be started when the car key used does not have the same code as the car.
Read Also: 7 Car Safety Features You Must Know
Functions of a Car Immobilizer
The immobilizer feature itself has several functions as follows.
1. Enhanced car security
The main function of the immobilizer is to enhance car security. As is known, the current rate of car theft and theft of items inside cars is quite high.
With the presence of an immobilizer, the risk of theft can be minimized. The different codes on each car immobilizer make it difficult to start the car if the key used has a different key. Unlike cars of the past that were very easy to steal.
2. Reduces anxiety when leaving the car for a while
The immobilizer can also reduce the driver's anxiety when leaving the car for a while. You do not need to worry that your car will be stolen. Because the security system in the immobilizer works automatically.
Read Also: What is Keyless Car? Here are the Functions, Advantages & Disadvantages
How a Car Immobilizer Works
Before you understand how a car immobilizer works, you need to know the components within it. Here are the complete components.
1. Transmitter component
The function of this component is to send radio wave frequency to the control module.
2. Transponder component
This component functions as a receiver of radio wave frequency signals from the control module. Subsequently, the transponder will identify the signal.
3. Theft deterrent system component
This component functions as a processor of the signals that have been identified by the transponder. In addition, this component also functions to turn on and off the fuel pump relay and ignition system.
After you understand the immobilizer components above, you can then pay attention to how the immobilizer works as follows.
When you insert the car key into the keyhole, the transmitter will automatically send a radio wave.
This wave has a specific frequency that will later be forwarded to the theft deterrent system. Inside the theft deterrent system itself, there is a transponder component. The radio wave sent by the transmitter will be received and identified by the transponder.
If the frequency of the radio wave sent by the transmitter matches the identification of the transponder, then the identified data is forwarded to the engine control module. Subsequently, the theft deterrent system component will activate the circuit in the ignition system. Thus, the fuel pump relay can turn on and start the car engine.
However, if the frequency sent is deemed suspicious, then the engine control module will automatically not be able to forward the command. As a result, the car engine cannot start because the fuel pump relay also cannot be activated.
By reading the review above, you now understand what a car immobilizer is along with its functions and how it works, right?
