Car Security ...

Before I modify my car, a most important consideration is car security. What's the use of having a beautifully body-kitted car or a car with high horse power that can outrun all the cars that you pass on the highways when it is not even safe to park ? What's the use of having a car if you don't have a peace of mind whenever you leave it in your house compound or in a shopping complex when all the time you dread that your car might be broken into or worse being stolen ?

It is therefore of paramount importance that the car be fitted with about as fool-proof a security system as you can make it. I don't want my car to disappear in somebody's workshop with only the chassis left or being in a container ship on the way to Indonesia.

There are many car security systems in the Malaysian market. These systems not only come with alarms that alert intruders but they use GSM and GPS technolgies that allow your car to be tracked and located. Two systems introduced to me personally are iSE and Gismo made in Taiwan and Australia respectively. Both have the GSM and the GPS systems, priced between RM 2,500 to RM 2,800 inclusive of installations. The iSE system are of many types depending on the available features. I have heard about the Cobra and the Kinsei systems.

One system that seems to be convincing is the US made Powerlock system that does not have the sophisticated GSM and GSP technologies but makes use of a solenoid module that integrates with the car starter motor. Unauthorised starting of the car is therefore absolutely impossible and if the car cannot start then it cannot be stolen - so says the brochure. On checking further, the Powerlock system might prevent the car itself from being stolen, but it does not prevent the car from being broken into and its contents removed. Worse, it does not prevent or deter potential thieves from removing the wheels unless you also install Powerlock's Wheelsafe system.

Therefore a perfect system would be a combination of the iSE or Gizmo and the Powerlock.