Smart Factory Alarm System Option

[SPDYII]

Originally Posted by baily_k

I just heard the Smart Factory Alarm it's very cool. No horn honking or siren blaring in the middle of the night. It just screams out, "PUT ME DOWN, PUT ME DOWN".

Now thats funny!

[smarties]

Originally Posted by jonnysan

Car alarms are a waste of money....proactive devices work better....like mechanical locks on axles or something like that that will not allow car to move no matter what.
Any movement sensor alarm on the Smart will get triggered very easily due to the vehicles small size and ease with which it moves when a large vehicle goes by it parked on the street, for example. The owner will be canceling the alarm incessantly if parked on a city street after being set off by big vehicles passing by it.

I will agree to that, Ive had two vehicles in the past, no alarms on them but I had kill switches on both. One was stolen the other attempted but the thief gave up because they could not get it started. They broke the ignition and tried, even got into the engine compartment to try and get it started with no luck. Thanks to a hidden kill switch I installed it saved the car, still a lot of damage $$ but car was still there.

However there is a draw back to a proactive device, if you do not use it every time then its useless in the case of my first vehicle that was taken. I had a kill switch but didnt use it all the time. It is a lot easier to push the button and set the alarm it may not be the best but for some reason you are comforted by it.

[t-bone]

Does anyone have any definite information regarding whether or not the dealer can install this alarm?

I get conflicting information from dealerships and from the web.

However, it seems that according some Canadian forums, it cannot be installed by the dealer.

[spdickey]

Originally Posted by t-bone

Does anyone have any definite information regarding whether or not the dealer can install this alarm?

Unfortunately, no they can't. They can offer me LoJack for $600

[t-bone]

Originally Posted by spdickey

Unfortunately, no they can't. They can offer me LoJack for $600

What about the fog lamps?

[mdfortwoguy]

I'll be curious to see exactly how many components are in this.

I'm fairly certain that they would not use customized wiring harnesses for each car... maybe between a Pure and a Passion, or a Cabrio and a Coupe - but hopefully the blank plugs are going to be there.

I'm going to do all of the options from the factory, but I'd like to think that this would be relatively easy to install after the fact... and hopefully just an activation at the dealer is all that is needed.

[spdickey]

Originally Posted by t-bone

What about the fog lamps?

Neither the fog lamps or the alarm system are shown as "accessories" (dealer installed options). Brabus, however as a cool double fog/running light kit (imported by Beverly Hills Motoring 310-854-0888). And after market alarms are all over the place.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

I always option in the cost of factory alarms... most insurance companies have significant discounts for these systems and the more anti theft options the deeper the discount... I also etch VIN on windows for the discount it gets on insurance

Oh no Hi Fred my dealer offered me that for abot 150.00 what is the going rate for that in your area.

Thanks karl

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by baily_k

I just heard the Smart Factory Alarm it's very cool. No horn honking or siren blaring in the middle of the night. It just screams out, "PUT ME DOWN, PUT ME DOWN".

I am not an alarm person just thought it would be a way to cut the insurance bill That said the correct me if I get terms wrong 1)it is passive,arm itself if you walk away and forget oh one person told me it locks itself so don't leave the key on the seat. 2)The key is one of these high security types and the drivers (only) door has a plastic plug where the key fits. 3)it has tow protection 4) motion sensors in the interior, don't scare fluffy 5) a light blinks (LED?) in two spots on the lower switchgear on the lock icon and alarm notifying you the battery will be dead when you return
karl

[Fredvon4]

Karl

Glass Etching kit at Hobby Lobby with good stencil material is under $20

Locally some window tint places charge 100~200...

I do it myself... and yes cutting out all the VIN with a Xacto knife is tedious but saves a LOT of money...

USAA only cares that the windows are etched...not who did it

I have done both the chemical etch and the sand blast method

Sand Blast is a little deeper and looks more professional but if you don't have a compressed air source not a good DIY project

Chemical etching really requires paying close attention to NOT get the stuff on any part of the auto finish...