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How To Choose A Car Alarm: A Buying Guide

How To Choose A Car Alarm: A Buying Guide

By: Bailey

Content Writer

12 min read

Looking to add security features to your vehicle for optimal protection, whether you're driving or parked? Find an ideal car alarm to invest in at Abt and learn more with this informative buying guide.

A blue car alarm key fob with an LCD screen

Why Do I Need An Aftermarket Car Alarm?

Before we dive into the details of aftermarket car alarm systems, you may be asking yourself, "Doesn't my car already have that? Why would I spend the additional money?". Technically, yes, every car on the market is built with a basic alarm. Should someone try to open your door or break into your car when it's locked, your vehicle will blare a loud sound. But the truth is, factory alarm and keyless entry systems are just not as effective. Aftermarket car alarm technology is more sophisticated and they're designed to do a lot more than your basic alarm. A high-quality car alarm will:

Make the use of your car more convenient
Prevent car vandalism
Protect your belongings from being stolen
Protect you in emergencies
Give you greater peace of mind
Make your vehicle harder to steal

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reported that "nearly 500,000 vehicles were reported stolen nationwide in the first half of 2023, marking an increase of more than two percent compared to the first half of 2022". If the rising statistics aren't enough to convince you to invest in a car alarm, customers should also note that many auto insurance companies offer premium discounts for vehicles that feature aftermarket alarms. With all of this information at the top of your mind, there is no better time to invest in a car alarm than now.

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Car Alarms & How They Work

Most car alarms are designed for universal installation, meaning they can be incorporated into almost any vehicle make and model. Here's what you can expect to get with your purchase of an aftermarket car alarm:

A remote control module to replace your factory key fob
An antenna that receives the remote signals
A siren that sounds upon being triggered
Writing to connect everything

Your car alarm may come with other devices in the box too, like sensors, if you should opt for any additional features (we'll dive into this later). Once you've installed the alarm system, it will be connected directly to your car's door locks. The remote control will let you do tasks like locking and unlocking your doors, arming and disarming the alarm and opening your trunk. When you lock your vehicle with the remote, your car alarm system will be activated and ready. Unlocking the vehicle, in contrast, will disarm the system. If you accidentally leave a door ajar, your system will alert you. If someone tampers with your car when it's locked and armed, your vehicle will let out either a warning sound or a full siren blast. The sound emitted is chosen by the "brain" of your system and is completely based on the types of sensors that have been tripped and the severity of the tampering. If your car alarm was triggered by accident and you wish to turn it off, it can be silenced and disarmed by pressing the unlock button twice. Depending on the alarm model you get, you may even be able to use your smartphone to monitor your vehicle's security.

A black car key with an LCD car alarm fob attached to it

Types of Car Alarms

Car alarms usually fall into four categories: active, passive, two-way and audible. Active car alarm systems are the most common type. They get the name "active" because drivers must press a button to lock doors and activate the alarm. Some active systems can be converted to passive mode if that's your preference. Passive car alarm systems automatically lock the doors and arm the system as soon as the driver turns off the ignition and closes the doors. This system may be more beneficial for drivers who forget to lock their doors, as they efficiently eliminate the possibility of user error. Both active and passive alarms are considered one-way systems, as commands will only be sent from your remote to your car.

Two-way car alarm systems are more advanced and can transmit information from your car back to your remote. They can notify you of problems with your vehicle from up to a mile away. How? With the accompanying key fob. The key fob typically comes with a convenient LCD screen and the alarm itself can be passive or active. If your fob doesn't have a screen, then it will feature a flashing LED light. Your fob will be able to alert you if someone is too close, if your alarm is sounding, if you forgot to lock or arm your system, if there's a break-in, etc. by displaying a message, vibrating or chirping. Audible car alarm systems are the last type, and they are the basic systems that are typically already built into newer vehicles with keyless entry.

Which Car Alarm System Is Right For Me?

Before choosing between the types of alarm systems, you may need to consider their typical operating range first. Car alarms operate on a radio frequency and these frequencies can sometimes be disrupted or offer inconsistent communication in areas like apartment buildings or over long distances. Do you park over a quarter mile from your occupation or your home? Do you live or work in a high-rise? Then you may not be able to communicate within the range of a standard car alarm. Do note, though, that some high-end alarms have ranges up to three miles. Checking the range of your model first before buying is crucial.

One-way alarm systems, either active or passive, are good enough to protect most cars and drivers. But if you live in a higher-risk area that has a larger crime rate, investing in a two-way system may be worth the extra money. Even if you do live in a safer neighborhood, you should also consider the kinds of items you store in your car. Do you have valuables in your vehicle? Do you have an expensive stereo system? These factors may leave you wanting more security, which would come from a two-way system. You should also consider whether or not you want to receive car alarm notifications on your smartphone. Some systems offer this two-way monitoring, so long as you have a cell phone signal at the location of your car. Smartphone monitoring may be appealing if you travel often and want to check on your vehicle's status too. Note: systems with smartphone monitoring may charge monthly fees.

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A person in a black hooded sweater and black gloves using a screwdriver to break into a vehicle

Car Alarm Features & Extras

Outside of the basic functions all car alarms are built to do, many offer additional capabilities. Which features your alarm will have depends on the model and brand. The more features you tag on, the bigger the price tag will get as well. Take a look at our list of possibilities and note the functions that matter most to you. Ask yourself: "Which of these features will I actually use?". They may be worth budgeting for when you start shopping for car alarms at Abt:

Starter Kill/Vehicle Immobilizer: This feature acts like a kill switch and ultimately prevents any thieves from driving your car. The immobilizer will automatically cut the power to your car if it senses someone is trying to hot-wire your vehicle.
Motion & Proximity Sensors: Many car alarms already feature shock sensors that detect physical contact with your car, but some high-end models also feature motion and proximity sensors. These will detect movement around your vehicle and should someone get too close and invade your space, the car alarm will emit a warning sound and alert you via the LCD key fob or smartphone. The sensor can also identify any obstacles or objects on the road that may be blocking the front or rear of your vehicle to help avoid danger. Some sensors have a preset distance, other models will allow you to customize how close a stranger can get before the alarm goes off. The one possible con of this feature is that it may lead to several false alarms.
Glass-Break Sensors: Many car thieves believe that they can bypass a car alarm system by breaking a window rather than attempting to open the door, as alarms are connected to the lock system. If you purchase a model with glass-break sensors, your car alarm will sound as soon as it "hears" a window breaking, stopping the thief in their tracks.
Driver's Side Priority Unlock: When you unlock your car, you open the opportunity for strangers to access your car from the opposite side. This passenger side is out of your reach and leaves you vulnerable as you attempt to get into your vehicle. If you purchase a car alarm with driver's side priority unlock, you'll be able to unlock the driver's door only without unlocking the others.
Tilt Sensors: If your car is getting towed or someone is jacking your vehicle to remove tires, these sensors will monitor the tilting motion of your parked car.
Impact Sensors: These sensors can detect when your car has been hit or bumped and sound an alarm. While this feature can prevent hit-and-run situations, it's important to note that these sensors can be overly sensitive. Sometimes, loud, low bass frequencies from a stereo system or high-wind weather conditions can trigger the alarm. Be sure to research before adding this feature to your car alarm.
Trunk Open Feature: Similar to the door unlock feature, this add-on can actuate the trunk release with the use of your car alarm remote, so long as your vehicle has a power trunk.
GPS Tracking: If you invest in a car alarm with GPS tracking, you can avoid losing your car in a crowded lot or an unfamiliar neighborhood. You can also keep an eye on drivers when lending your car out or find your stolen vehicle for law enforcement recovery.
Remote Start: Why would you want a remote start system integrated into your car alarm? These systems allow you to start your car remotely, no need to physically start the ignition yourself. Note: this will only function within vehicles with automatic transmission. Remote start is especially beneficial for changing climates, so you can defrost icy, snowy windows or cool the interior during hot summers. The climate control system will remember your most recent A/C settings too, so you won't have to worry about fidgeting with the temperature.

Car Alarm Installation

Say you've found the perfect car alarm system for you, but you're worried about the installation process. What will the next steps look like and what should you anticipate? If you feel comfortably familiar with automotive electronics or have a skilled mechanical side, performing a DIY installation a basic car alarm model could be within your grasp. Car alarms will typically come with a few wires and components, as well as a user manual. Installation will require you to tap into your car's existing electrical systems and wiring. The more advanced your car alarm system is, or the more special features it has, the harder it will be to install. This process will require extensive automotive knowledge and that's why we suggest relying on a professional. Why? If you attempt to install an advanced car alarm model and do so incorrectly, it can drain the battery, prevent your car from starting or cause other expensive damage. If you're local to our store, the highly skilled, MECP-certified Abt technicians can assist you with vehicle upgrades like this. The cost of installation solely depends on your car make and model, the car alarm you choose and the amount of features it has. If you scroll to the bottom of this article and fill out our form, you can even schedule an estimate.

A white sports car parked in the Abt mobile install garage

Shop Car Alarms at Abt

If you've already been browsing Abt for our wide selection of car electronics and car audio solutions, now is the perfect time to invest in a car alarm too. Why not complete your collection and get all of your vehicle upgrades done at the same time? Once you've added a car alarm system to your vehicle, you'll get to enjoy ultimate security every time you hit the road. Want even more peace of mind? Take a look at our dash cams or rear view cameras too. Travel to your favorite places or new destinations with no worry of theft or damage. Keep your car in pristine condition too, so you can get the best price for your vehicle should you ever choose to trade it in or sell it. As we have several types of car alarms at Abt, feel free to start shopping now for whatever features or safety precautions you need most. No matter which model you choose, you're sure to create a better driving experience for you and every future passenger. If you're interested in learning more about the car security products available at our store, check out our remote start buying guide. We also have a handy collection of marine and car electronics articles in our Learn Center for you to explore. Still have questions about the vehicle upgrades we can do at Abt? Speak to our experts at 800-860-3577 and we'd be happy to tell you more.

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