Pro Installer May 2021 - Issue 98 | Page 50

Motoring
50 | MAY 2021

Motoring

Read online at www . proinstaller . co . uk

“ OUR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT VAN THIEVES CANNOT DO THEIR JOB ”

With a recent Logistics UK report on vehicle theft recording that the average cost of contents stolen per van was up from £ 549 to £ 575 in the first half of 2020 , plus nearly 70 % of people surveyed incurring financial costs or 58 % reporting productivity loss , TVL Security is urging tradesmen and van drivers to make it even tougher for thieves to get their hands on ( and in ) their vans .
Here , TVL ’ s Luke Powell , takes us through three different OBD products , a new anti-scan wallet , plus some ‘ inside the box ’ thinking …
“ TVL ’ s research and development team has more than 85 years experience in security ,” begins Luke , “ so between us , we have seen and heard of almost every type of vehicle crime and theft . As vehicle manufacturers think of new ways to update their vehicles ’ specifications , so we must upgrade our methods of preventing crime . Unfortunately , burglars and thieves are also masters of diversification , which means as well as keeping up with car and van designs we need to stay one step ahead of the criminals .”
OBD Port Protection
“ Every vehicle has an OBD Port , but there are three ( main ) different ways in which they can be compromised by a thief to drive away your car . Thieves have discovered a new way to steal vehicles by overriding the manufacturer ’ s immobilisation system by connecting a Laptop / PDA / EDI Key into the OBD Socket and bypassing the vehicles built in immobiliser .
“ TVL has a Code Operated , Electronic , and Key Operated version of the OBD Port Protector , depending on the make and model of the car or van . The installation is non-invasive , making it a simple fit for an installer and a no-brainer for the customer .”
OBD Protector Parts
Code Operated
The patented , lockable OBD Port Protector encompasses the OBD Port Plug in a secure box which is opened by entering the correct 4-digit code , preventing thieves from stealing your vehicle by this method . Non-invasive installation means the product is easily installed for instant protection with no special tools .
Electronic
This passively armed electronic OBD port immobiliser disarms the OBD port by disabling CANBUS communication between the ECU and the OBD port itself . This means when the immobiliser is in its passive armed state the OBD port cannot be used to connect to the vehicles ECU to overcome the vehicle immobiliser and / or program blank keys to start the vehicle .
Key Operated
The patented , lockable OBD Port Protector encompasses the OBD Port Plug in a secure , key operated box preventing thieves from stealing your vehicle by this method .
Anti-Scan Wallet
“ Keyless car / van technology is not new , however equipment available on the market which extends the signals emitted by the remote are now more affordable and accessible in an unregulated market . The pouch has been tested by TASSA for 10,000 cycles to prove longevity and that the effectiveness of the lining doesn ’ t degrade with use . Homeowners are turning to specialised key safes at home to protect their vehicles from this form of theft , but the Anti-Scan Wallet means that keys can also be ‘ cloaked ’ when out and about .”
The PedalBox
“ Everyone remembers the old handbrake and gear stick lock or steering wheel locks that we used to see in nearly every vehicle ,” Luke begins . “ Over recent years they have become less popular however , and add-ons particularly in car security , in has focussed more on the electronic and the digital rather than physical lock and key .
“ When it comes to vans , however , especially those used for work purposes , robust van locks have remained popular and very necessary . Over the past year , vans for professional purposes have been on the rise with delivery drivers and couriers in high demand , plus high street shops choosing to make home deliveries when restrictions have forced them to close their doors . More vans sadly means more van thieves , but there is an easy way
Anti Scan Wallet
Closed PedalBox
to protect your van and that ’ s with the TVL PedalBox .”
The PedalBox is a high security lockable box designed and developed to offer maximum protection against vehicle theft by blocking access to all of the vehicles pedal controls . Constructed from high grade steel and then finished with a high visibility yellow durable powder coat , the PedalBox can easily be seen from outside the vehicle even in low light . There are four different shapes available across automatic and manual models , plus additional plates to ensure the perfect fit over any configuration of pedals .
Luke continued : “ Sometimes , the simpler the security solution the better . If thieves cannot get to your pedals , your van is going nowhere . The simplicity of the PedalBox means it is easy for locksmiths to stock and sell , plus , apart from making sure you have the correct box for the vehicle there is no intricate installation involved . This also means that the PedalBox can be used in hire or lease vans without causing damage to the vehicle .”
OBD Protector
Open PedalBox
www . tvl-ltd . co . uk