Is iCATS really tamper proof?

sbasak · 16th September 2007, 16:13

Nearly all new cars in Europe/America are now fitted with this system (also known as immobiliser) nowadays.

Yes, cars equipped with immobiliers are often difficult to steal without the key.

So, thieves now demand keys from owners at gunpoint

I read somewhere, a company [BMW or Merc] devised a technology where the car will start only if it senses owner's finger print on a screen on dash.

However, thieves can cut owner's finger and press it there. So, what is the way out? Well, the system was intelligent enough to understand whether the finger was actually attached to the body (it could monitor the blood flow over the finger).

In developed countries, majority or cars are now stolen using actual keys (robbed from owners) because of the immobiliser system.

Quote:

there is no such thing as a theft-proof system

That's the whole point!

pabheda · 16th September 2007, 17:37

is icat one type of auto cop and can i fit it in my honda city .i am searching for a good auto security system so please do advice me and if i can fit icats , where is bombay can i get it and at wat cost

dadu · 16th September 2007, 17:58

Rightly said as a deterrent system, I was reading the statistics of australia after it was implemented there and it showed that car theft had definitely shown a downward trend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Well, there is no such thing as a theft-proof system. But word on the street is that the ICATS is extremely effective as a theft-deterrent system. Considering that Marutis (most models) sell like hotcakes in the used car segment, this has been a most welcome move from Maruti.

anupmathur · 16th September 2007, 18:16

Pritesh, if you would only read post #s 1 and 4 on this thread, you wouldn't ........

mithun · 17th September 2007, 10:45

I have heard the iCATS to very useful and (till now) I haven't heard any bad mouthing !

wolfinstein · 17th September 2007, 10:57

With more instances of Car Jacking on the rise, I-cats is a deterrent but nothing compared with a Gun pointed at you could be Safety.

Most cases in NCR Delhi are on the rise, specially at late and early hours of the day.

carboy · 17th September 2007, 11:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by anupmathur

Hi all!
Was wondering how effective this iCATS (intelligent car anti-theft system) thing is.
Maruti has been fitting it to all it's new cars as of around mid-April this year.

I have a Swift Purchased in May/June. How do I know if my car came with
this or not? I vauguely remember being charged some extra money for an immobilizer.

lambuhere1 · 17th September 2007, 11:54

When you switch on the ignition, I believe before or after that you can see a lock symbol near your taco.

Have a look

Quote:

Originally Posted by carboy

I have a Swift Purchased in May/June. How do I know if my car came with
this or not? I vauguely remember being charged some extra money for an immobilizer.

ajayclicks · 17th September 2007, 15:16

I am sure it must be an effective detterent system. Apparently, maruti insurance gives some discount also on the premium amt, in case this system is fitted in the vehicle.

anupmathur · 17th September 2007, 18:18

Carboy, as lambu has said, there is an illuminated padlock symbol visible in your meters cluster when you turn on the ignition (but before you crank your engine to life).
I even got a duplicate key made on one of those key-cutting mini lathes. The duplicate key opens the locks on my car, even turns on the ignition but the car will not start. And the lock symbol flashes slowly on and off.
With the genuine key the lock symbol lights up steady at ignition on position (car not yet started).

sathya_nars · 17th September 2007, 18:59

Similar thread exists already http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...per-proof.html

mithun · 19th September 2007, 14:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajayclicks

I am sure it must be an effective detterent system. Apparently, maruti insurance gives some discount also on the premium amt, in case this system is fitted in the vehicle.

I got only about Rs.260 as discount although Rs.500 is the norm on the insurance paper !

dadu · 19th September 2007, 14:45

Aha! so you did a stress testing too

Quote:

Originally Posted by anupmathur

I even got a duplicate key made on one of those key-cutting mini lathes. The duplicate key opens the locks on my car, even turns on the ignition but the car will not start. And the lock symbol flashes slowly on and off.
With the genuine key the lock symbol lights up steady at ignition on position (car not yet started).

anupmathur · 19th September 2007, 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadu

Aha! so you did a stress testing too

Very much so! I even tried 'proximity': ie. keep the original close to the ECU, keep the original's metal touching the metal near the keyhole etc.. all the while watching whether the lock symbol stopped flashing.
FAILURE.

amtak · 6th November 2007, 10:05

Can a 2005 Zen be retrofitted with the I-Cats system?? I need to install it considering that my car does not have it.

16th September 2007, 17:37	#32
pabheda BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: mumbai Posts: 105 Thanked: 4 Times	is icat one type of auto cop and can i fit it in my honda city .i am searching for a good auto security system so please do advice me and if i can fit icats , where is bombay can i get it and at wat cost
	() Thanks

16th September 2007, 18:16	#34
anupmathur Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 3,095 Thanked: 311 Times	Pritesh, if you would only read post #s 1 and 4 on this thread, you wouldn't ........
	() Thanks

17th September 2007, 10:45	#35
mithun BANNED Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cochin Posts: 2,195 Thanked: 268 Times	I have heard the iCATS to very useful and (till now) I haven't heard any bad mouthing !
	() Thanks

17th September 2007, 10:57	#36
wolfinstein BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 994 Thanked: 20 Times	With more instances of Car Jacking on the rise, I-cats is a deterrent but nothing compared with a Gun pointed at you could be Safety. Most cases in NCR Delhi are on the rise, specially at late and early hours of the day.
	() Thanks

17th September 2007, 15:16	#39
ajayclicks BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 613 Thanked: 423 Times	I am sure it must be an effective detterent system. Apparently, maruti insurance gives some discount also on the premium amt, in case this system is fitted in the vehicle.
	() Thanks

17th September 2007, 18:18	#40
anupmathur Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 3,095 Thanked: 311 Times	Carboy, as lambu has said, there is an illuminated padlock symbol visible in your meters cluster when you turn on the ignition (but before you crank your engine to life). I even got a duplicate key made on one of those key-cutting mini lathes. The duplicate key opens the locks on my car, even turns on the ignition but the car will not start. And the lock symbol flashes slowly on and off. With the genuine key the lock symbol lights up steady at ignition on position (car not yet started).
	() Thanks

17th September 2007, 18:59	#41
sathya_nars BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 642 Thanked: 56 Times View My Garage	Similar thread exists already http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...per-proof.html
	() Thanks

6th November 2007, 10:05	#45
amtak Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai - The city of Sea Link!!! Posts: 2,924 Thanked: 919 Times View My Garage	Can a 2005 Zen be retrofitted with the I-Cats system?? I need to install it considering that my car does not have it.
	() Thanks