Igor has qustion on factory fitted alarm

[IgorTheHunchback]

Igors alarm does not autolock.

Igor has question, If left alone with no one in mini, should factory fitted alarm lock itself ?

Igor

[lightbody]

No it shouldn't.

Would cause havoc for me - I'd be locking the keys in all the time!

[dcfkan]

I too am not in favour of auto-locking alarm - for fear that Mr DK would leave the car keys in the boot, walks off, then forget about them (I never do that of course!)

DK

[BrantV]

I agree with not auto locking if the doors had been opened. However, what if You exit the car, set the alarm, and then walk away. If while the keys are in your pocket, the unlock button accidentally gets pressed, wouldn't it be nice if the car automatically locked itself after 30 seconds? The delay should be settable.

Since the doors remain closed, it should be nearly impossible to lock your keys inside the car, unless you were inside the car when you set the alarm. There's also the chance that you had a window or sunroof open only far enough to drop the keys into the car after you locked it. Big enough to slip the keys through, but too small to get your hand through. Very small chance. If that happens, reach into your wallet, and use your spare plastic key.

It's too frequent an occurrence, where car alarms get accidentally turned off as the button gets pressed while in a pocket or purse. My first car with an alarm had a tendency to go off frequently, until I discovered that sometimes when I sat down, the crease in my jeans wold set the alarm off. The press and hold panic feature was enabled by default.

Having the car automatically lock itself if you don't open a door, likely because you didn't intend to enter the vehicle, would be a nice touch.

Also, on the subject of locking keys inside vehicles. What happens if you open the door, and then lock everything manually, without the remote, and then close the door. It should unlock the door. Does it stay locked if you hold the handle? Since the remote is standard, perhaps it shouldn't. And is it smart enough to prevent you from closing a locked door when the keys in the ignition.

Wish Igor would return from the stone age to the present.

[smiffy]

Smiffy wants to know: why does the alarm turn off when the central locking remote is pressed to open, but doesnt turn the alarm off when opening the car with the spare key in the lock

[potts]

Quote:

Originally posted by smiffy
Smiffy wants to know: why does the alarm turn off when the central locking remote is pressed to open, but doesnt turn the alarm off when opening the car with the spare key in the lock

Smiffy,
Using the spare, you have 30 seconds to turn on the ignition, which will then turn off the alarm. But yeah, just opening the door with the spare ought to turn it off.

[smiffy]

Quote:

Originally posted by potts


Smiffy,
You have 30 seconds to turn on the ignition, which will then turn off the alarm. But yeah, just opening the door with the spare ought to disarm it.

Ta, it takes me about 30 seconds to get the Autolock steering lock off

[Dom]

Quote:

Originally posted by BrantV

Also, on the subject of locking keys inside vehicles. What happens if you open the door, and then lock everything manually, without the remote, and then close the door. It should unlock the door. Does it stay locked if you hold the handle? Since the remote is standard, perhaps it shouldn't. And is it smart enough to prevent you from closing a locked door when the keys in the ignition.

Try pushing the drivers door pin down with the door open - it shouldn't work, thus meaning you can't accidentally lean on it and lock it or something. Not sure if it's the same with the passenger side.

Dom

[BrantV]

Quote:

Originally posted by potts


But yeah, just opening the door with the spare ought to turn it off.

I think it has to do with the identification chip embedded inside the key, and the fact that only the ignition switch has a sensor to validate the key. I believe you can just pass the key next to the ignition. I'm not sure you have to actually tun the key.

Anybody could steal a wax impression of your key, and make a duplicate to gain entry. Only the actual key should allow them to drive it off, and apparently disable the alarm.

Also, if the lock can be picked, would you want some lever in the door lock that when pulled, turned off the alarm? Doesn't sound very secure.

[potts]

Quote:

Originally posted by BrantV


I think it has to do with the identification chip embedded inside the key, and the fact that only the ignition switch has a sensor to validate the key.

Yeah, I'm aware of the I.D. chip in the key. My thinking was the drivers door could have the validation sensor. Though having it in the ignition is more secure.
If only the buggers would give us 2 remote keys...

[IgorTheHunchback]

Igor says thank you all for your help.

[dsc68]

Quote:

Originally posted by smiffy
Ta, it takes me about 30 seconds to get the Autolock steering lock off

Alarm and steering lock

Tough neighbourhood then

[Martin L]

Autolocking is good if the manufacturer actually has brains.
My golf for instance used to automatically re-lock itself if after been unlocked and nobody actually open the doors. This is to protect against accidently unlocking the car
I had a terrible exerience earlier this year while on holiday with an autolocking Jeep. While at a filling station I left the keys in the ignition as my brother was still in the car, he decided to use the bathroom so left the car while I was still filling it up. The dumb ass car decided to lock itself with the keys still in the ignition
We were on the way back to Frisco to catch our flight home so you can image the panic
Luckily we were in Sacremento so a locksmith turned up within half an hour of calling roadside assistance. Thank God Jeeps have cr@p security as the lock was popped open in seconds
After this experience in answer to your question Igor, I think they shouldn't