Jul 27, 2021

Remote Immobiliser: How They Work and Why You Need Them?

The theft of a fleet vehicle can have devastating consequences for your business. It not only disrupts productivity but also leads to financial losses and erodes confidence in your fleet's security. Ensuring that your vehicles are secure and protected from theft is, therefore, crucial to maintaining operational efficiency and safeguarding your bottom line.

While there are various preventive measures to protect your fleet, one of the most effective tools to stop a criminal from escaping with your vehicles is the remote immobiliser. Let’s explore what a remote immobiliser is, how it works, and why every fleet manager should consider installing it.

What is a Remote Immobiliser?

A remote immobiliser is a security feature offered by Fleetsmart, designed to prevent vehicle theft by disabling the engine remotely. This tool can stop thieves in their tracks, ensuring that they cannot drive off with your valuable assets or, if they manage to steal a vehicle, they won't be able to restart it after stopping.

The immobiliser works by sending a signal to the vehicle's engine management system. Once this signal is received, the system prevents the engine from restarting the next time the vehicle is turned off. While a thief might succeed in initially breaking into the vehicle and driving away, the remote immobilisation ensures they won’t be able to continue their escape after stopping.

How Remote Immobilisers Protect Your Fleet

Quick Recovery with GPS Technology

The remote immobiliser doesn’t just stop the vehicle; it works in conjunction with GPS tracking to allow you to pinpoint its exact location. Fleetsmart's GPS technology is highly accurate, allowing you to direct law enforcement to your stolen vehicle's location for swift recovery, reducing stress and minimising financial loss.

Protecting Against Unpaid Hires

Remote immobilisers aren’t just useful in theft situations. If you rent out your vehicles and haven’t received payment, or the vehicle hasn’t been returned by the agreed deadline, you can easily prevent further use of your asset. The vehicle remains immobile until proper payment is made or arrangements are met for its return, giving you better control over your fleet operations.

Geo-fencing for Added Security

Another layer of protection is the integration of geo-fence alerts. These virtual boundaries allow you to set predefined zones for your fleet. If a vehicle exits or enters a restricted area, you’ll receive an instant alert. If the situation seems suspicious, you can immediately activate the remote immobiliser to prevent further unauthorised movement. This feature is especially useful for safeguarding your vehicles after hours or when they're parked in specific zones, like a warehouse or designated parking area.

Why You Need a Remote Immobiliser for Fleet Security

In today’s world, vehicle theft is an ever-present threat, especially for businesses that rely heavily on their fleets. Let’s break down why a remote car immobiliser is a must-have for any business with vehicles:

Security and Theft Deterrence

With a car immobilisation system, even if a criminal manages to break into your vehicle, they can’t drive far before being halted by the remote immobiliser. The knowledge that a vehicle has this feature can act as a strong deterrent to thieves in the first place.

Reduced Financial Loss

Recovering a stolen vehicle quickly, thanks to real-time GPS tracking and immobilisation, drastically reduces financial loss. It prevents extensive damage to the vehicle, decreases the chances of the vehicle being stripped for parts, and lowers insurance claim expenses.

Increased Fleet Control

A remote immobiliser car system offers fleet managers greater control over their vehicles. You can manage vehicles that are overdue for return or have payment issues, ensuring they can’t be used until your terms are met.

Installation Process: How Does It Work?

When you opt for the installation of a remote immobiliser, it is done in conjunction with the vehicle's tracking device. During the installation, key circuits within the engine that are necessary for starting the vehicle are isolated and connected to the immobiliser and the tracking device.

The entire installation typically takes one to two hours and is carried out by Fleetsmart’s expert technicians. One major advantage is that the installation leaves no visible signs, such as exposed wiring or switches, making it harder for thieves to locate and tamper with the device. Once installed, you can remotely disable the engine through Fleetsmart’s easy-to-use software application.

Which Vehicles Support Remote Immobilisation?

Our remote immobilisation technology can be installed on most modern vehicle types, ensuring wide compatibility across various fleets. However, if you’re unsure whether your vehicle model supports this system, our helpful team is always available to confirm compatibility and discuss your specific needs.

Can You Immobilise a Moving Vehicle?

Safety is always a top priority. Remote immobilisation can only be activated when the vehicle is stationary with the engine off. If the vehicle is moving when you attempt to immobilise it, the system will wait until it has stopped before arming the immobilisation feature. This prevents any risk of accidents and ensures the safety of your drivers, vehicles, and other road users.

Fleet Optimisation with Fleetsmart’s Technology

At Fleetsmart, our goal is to help businesses optimise their fleet operations through improved security, better efficiency, increased productivity, and reduced costs. Remote immobilisation is just one of the tools that can significantly benefit your business. It offers unparalleled peace of mind, knowing that your fleet is protected against theft and misuse.

By integrating remote immobilisation with real-time vehicle tracking, geo-fencing, and fleet management software, your operations can become more efficient, saving you time, stress, and potential financial losses.

Why Remote Immobilisation is Essential for Your Fleet

If you’re looking to enhance your fleet's security, reduce financial risks, and gain more control over your operations, then remote immobilisation is an invaluable tool. Whether it's preventing theft, recovering stolen vehicles, or dealing with payment issues from hired-out vehicles, this system offers peace of mind and a solid return on investment.

For more tips, advice, or to explore how our technology can benefit your business, contact Fleetsmart today, and one of our team members will be happy to assist you.