The Best Options for Kill Switches to Prevent Car Theft

We can take all kinds of precautions at home to protect our vehicles from theft such as locking them in a garage or keeping them in well lit areas but we can not always control every place our cars will be. This is why technology such as kill switches are a great idea.

In this article we are going to take a look at kill switches to explain what they are, what options you have and how much they may cost. Put simply it’s hard to carry a car away but driving one away can be alarmingly easy for those with the intent and knowledge to do so.

What Is a Car Kill Switch?

Some may easily guess from the name what a kill switch might do but for the sake of everyone let's explain just what they actually do. Essentially a kill switch is a device that must be activated before you can start your vehicle.

If the person trying to start the car does not have what they need to activate the kill switch then it will not turn on and the ignition circuits will not make their connections. No connection equals no ignition and no ignition means the car is not driving away under its own power.

There are several methods for these switches and they are often hidden so that only the owner will know where they are. This is an aftermarket addition so knowing a certain model of car well does not help the thieves in locating the switch.

Types of Kill Switches

As mentioned kill switches come in different types and the circuits they affect vary as well. Some may stop fuel from flowing, disconnect the battery or disable the fuse box. Regardless of the type the intent is the same, the vehicle will not start until the switch has been activated.

Fuel System Relay

This is a great switch which until activated will not allow the fuel pump to do its job. If you have ever run out of gas you know that no fuel means no driving the car. The fuel pump is what sends the fuel out to the engine cylinders.

If the fuel does not reach the cylinders then the motor can not start although the engine will still try to crank. This gives the thief the impression that rather than there being a kill switch somewhere in the car there is actually a problem with the car.

A thief with time and intent might suspect a kill switch in some instances and search for it. If the thief thinks they have a broken down car then they will likely get out of there and find a new target for their felonious intentions.

Those with some electrical and automotive knowledge might be able to easily fit one of these switches by locating and splicing the fuel switch relay wire. You can then attach your kill switch and find a hidden location for it.

Fuse Box Kill Switch

People do not always understand the importance of fuses when it comes to cars but, as with all things possessing an electrical component, fuses play an important role. Those with any experience with fuses will know that a blown fuse will essentially stop an electrical device from working until the fuse is replaced.

This kill switch will turn off your fuse box meaning that any attempts to start the car will be met with nothing at all. The electrics will not turn on and the car definitely will not turn over. You can get this same effect by simply removing the ignition switch and replacing it each time you plan to drive. This is hardly practical however so a kill switch would be better.

Fitting a kill switch in the fuse box is a much easier option than removing and replacing switches as this could become tedious. Of course taking the fuse out would prevent the thief getting lucky and locating the kill switch.

With a fuse box kill switch you would run your switch to the appropriate fuses. This again will take the right skill set and automotive knowledge. You can of course have a professional help you as well.

Battery Disconnect Switch

This is a great one to fool potential thieves into thinking they chose a vehicle with a flat or broken battery. Without a charged working battery then ignition processes can not be performed and the vehicle will not be driving anywhere.

The switch in this case will be connected to the negative terminal of your battery and the negative lead itself would connect to the kill switch. This allows the switch to act as a conduit to either allow or block the current from the battery.

When this kill switch is not active it will essentially cut the battery off from the car's electronics. This does cause a little issue however as clocks and radio presets will all be reset every time you use the kill switch. This is because the battery holds the memory.

There are pros and cons to this one but it is likely one of the easiest switches to set up. You could disconnect the battery leads each night when you park up but this would mean you would need to reconnect them every time you intended to drive so that’s hardly practical.

Ignition Kill Switch

This switch essentially creates a break in your ignition system stopping the vehicle from being able to start. It is a tricker set up however so you best have good electrical knowledge if you are trying to do it yourself.

You would need to cut the ignition wire and add a connector on each side to be able to hook up this kill switch. This will then allow you to find a secret hiding space in the cabin for your switch, ideally well hidden but not too hard for you to access.

Remote Car Battery Switch

All of our other options so far have required a physical switch hidden in the car somewhere. The only problem being a determined thief might have time to locate this switch and then all bets are off as they can start the car and be gone.

This type of kill switch is connected to the battery but involves a remote control which you can have in your possession probably on your car keys. It works in the same way as the wired switch on the battery but the thief will not find the switch.

This of course still has the same issue regarding the radio presets and the clock because you are again disconnecting the battery each time. Also a determined thief who realizes what is going on could pop the hood and remove the system reconnecting the battery as normal.

How Much Does a Kill Switch Cost?

The price to get a kill switch fitted is actually reasonable and on average ranges from $10 - $100 which is not a lot for the comfort of knowing your car will not be easily taken from you. It will vary depending on the type of switch and the model of your car.

If you have the skills for this project yourself then the cost will only include the price of parts. Even if you have professional help the labor costs are not ridiculous and would be very much worth it.

Conclusion

A kill switch can be a simple and inexpensive option to protect your car from theft. It is more subtle than a steering wheel lock and may fool the would-be thief into thinking the vehicle is inoperable. Rather than waste their time they will likely move on.

The addition of a kill switch however must be done correctly to avoid causing you problems starting your own car. When you mess with the electrics you do run the risk of getting it wrong and then having to pay for a pricey repair that may not be covered by warranty due to your addition.

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