Team-BHP - Is iCATS really tamper proof?

Nearly all new cars in Europe/America are now fitted with this system (also known as immobiliser) nowadays.

Yes, cars equipped with immobiliers are often difficult to steal without the key.

So, thieves now demand keys from owners at gunpoint :D

I read somewhere, a company [BMW or Merc] devised a technology where the car will start only if it senses owner's finger print on a screen on dash.

However, thieves can cut owner's finger and press it there. So, what is the way out? Well, the system was intelligent enough to understand whether the finger was actually attached to the body (it could monitor the blood flow over the finger).

In developed countries, majority or cars are now stolen using actual keys (robbed from owners) because of the immobiliser system.

Quote:

there is no such thing as a theft-proof system

That's the whole point!

is icat one type of auto cop and can i fit it in my honda city .i am searching for a good auto security system so please do advice me and if i can fit icats , where is bombay can i get it and at wat cost

Rightly said as a deterrent system, I was reading the statistics of australia after it was implemented there and it showed that car theft had definitely shown a downward trend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO (Post 565774)

Well, there is no such thing as a theft-proof system. But word on the street is that the ICATS is extremely effective as a theft-deterrent system. Considering that Marutis (most models) sell like hotcakes in the used car segment, this has been a most welcome move from Maruti.

With more instances of Car Jacking on the rise, I-cats is a deterrent but nothing compared with a Gun pointed at you could be Safety.

Most cases in NCR Delhi are on the rise, specially at late and early hours of the day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by anupmathur (Post 565627)

Hi all!
Was wondering how effective this iCATS (intelligent car anti-theft system) thing is.
Maruti has been fitting it to all it's new cars as of around mid-April this year.

I have a Swift Purchased in May/June. How do I know if my car came with
this or not? I vauguely remember being charged some extra money for an immobilizer.

When you switch on the ignition, I believe before or after that you can see a lock symbol near your taco.

Have a look

Quote:

Originally Posted by carboy (Post 566420)

I have a Swift Purchased in May/June. How do I know if my car came with
this or not? I vauguely remember being charged some extra money for an immobilizer.

I am sure it must be an effective detterent system. Apparently, maruti insurance gives some discount also on the premium amt, in case this system is fitted in the vehicle.

Carboy, as lambu has said, there is an illuminated padlock symbol visible in your meters cluster when you turn on the ignition (but before you crank your engine to life).
I even got a duplicate key made on one of those key-cutting mini lathes. The duplicate key opens the locks on my car, even turns on the ignition but the car will not start. And the lock symbol flashes slowly on and off.
With the genuine key the lock symbol lights up steady at ignition on position (car not yet started).

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajayclicks (Post 566775)

I am sure it must be an effective detterent system. Apparently, maruti insurance gives some discount also on the premium amt, in case this system is fitted in the vehicle.

I got only about Rs.260 as discount although Rs.500 is the norm on the insurance paper !

Aha! so you did a stress testing too :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by anupmathur (Post 567044)

I even got a duplicate key made on one of those key-cutting mini lathes. The duplicate key opens the locks on my car, even turns on the ignition but the car will not start. And the lock symbol flashes slowly on and off.
With the genuine key the lock symbol lights up steady at ignition on position (car not yet started).

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadu (Post 569097)

Aha! so you did a stress testing too :)

Very much so! I even tried 'proximity': ie. keep the original close to the ECU, keep the original's metal touching the metal near the keyhole etc.. all the while watching whether the lock symbol stopped flashing.
FAILURE.