Car Central locking system is the feature added in the Indian automobile for many decades. In the new cars you can find a power-operated locking system which is connected with the alarm system of the vehicle. Earlier this feature was like a luxury but now you can find it in all the vehicles.
In this system the driver can loc the vehicle from the inside using the key fob which automatically locks all the doors of the car. Later if the driver manually unlocks his own door, the other doors will also get unlocked.
In this blog, we will discuss everything about the car central locking system, including its functioning.
Usage and benefit of Car central locking system
With the help of the Central locking system one can lock or unlock all the doors in the car at the same time. It is either through the remote or when the driver uses a key to lock doors. Its main purpose is for the safety and security of people in the car, especially if you have a kid sitting with you.
The system alerts the driver through warning lights which are placed near the speedometer. It blinks if the car door is open. There is a well-designed contemporary computer system in the car merged with the central locking that keeps the driver cautious.
The chances of larceny reduces as there is complete security using this system. You can prevent car theft with the help of an alarm that is interlinked with the central car lock system.
The system is quite convenient to use for the driver to take control of all the locks of doors of the car. Also if the driver is outside the car, he/she can lock or unlock all the doors with just one click on the remote or key fob.
How Does The Car Central Locking System Work?
The car central locking system is a crucial element for people sitting in the car. Each car key has a distinct code. These codes synchronize with the alarm system of the vehicle. After the driver locks the car, the engine immobilizer goes off. The system will restart if the same code is received from the car key.
Due to this feature of the car central locking system, you can prevent the vehicle from starting by turning on the engine’s immobilizer and hence protect your vehicle with it.
During the time when the driver’s door is locked, a switch moves in the master driver unit. This unit then transmits a signal to the drive units. It further helps in moving the link rods. This method leads to unlocking or locking the other doors as well.
You can find various types of car central locking systems in the market today. There is an option to use a remote from a distance and operate the locks of the car. You can use certain remotes to set off the alarm of the vehicle. Also, the locking and unlocking sound can be useful to the owner in some unconventional ways. If there is a huge parking lot with hundreds of vehicles, you can track your car with that sound. The remote of the central locking system functions with the help of radio waves that are transmitted to the device fitted in the car.
What controls the central locking system in a car?
The door of the car consists of an instrument called the latch. The role of the latch is to release the jaw that it had clung onto. Later the door gets open once the handle is pulled. This element also has an electric motor which leads to central locking.
Another element is the actuator or the electric motor which administers the entire car central locking system. Hence, it is the major part of the system or else in case it fails, the whole system will not function properly.
Car Central Locking Elements in detail
The central locking system consists of four main and primary components.
Actuator: An actuator, with the help of pistons and gears for lowering the shaft connected to the lock of the door. The cable or shaft extends to operate the lock.
Transponder: Transponder is present in the key bow. It helps to read and match codes so that the engine immobilizer knows when to start or stop. If a car does not have a key entry feature, the transponder code is read using the immobilizer. This happens when the key reaches the proximity of the car. Later the engine starts.
Key Fob: The remote control of the car is the key fob. It supports keyless entry into a car and also locking/unlocking a car. You can use it to open other car parts like the trunk of the car or turn the lights on. Thus, it is a useful feature that enables the user to lock/unlock the car with a normal click. You do not have to stay right next to the car to open it. The range is fifteen meters radius if you want to use the remote.
Start/Stop Button: Another amazing element is the start/stop button. It completely eliminates the need for a key. You can find the button near the steering wheel. The ignition starts if you press it. It functions similar to the normal key and you have to press it thrice for the car to drive.
Reasons for failure in car central locking system
A car central locking system may also fail but is due to two reasons- one a faulty solenoid and another a blown fuse. Other reasons are the car may face internal wiring issues or a faulty actuator. It may happen the key fob is not functioning right as its battery may drain out. Another reason for the failure in the system can be due to the dead car battery. Without the power, it may not work.
Car Central Locking System FAQ’s
Keyless entry and central locking are different. In central locking, all the doors lock at the same time, i.e. they lock simultaneously. Whenever the driver door lock is engaged or disengaged, all the four doors engage or disengage [depends on what the driver did].
On the other hand, Keyless entry, or remote key entry works in a different way. It has a remote-control key, which has buttons that can work just like the normal key. But there is a separate button near the steering to start the ignition.
If your car doors lock automatically when you drive, it is due to the feature called auto-lock. The automobile companies have introduced this feature as a safety measure. It helps in locking all the doors of the car, as soon as the first gear is engaged. Hence, the child in the car is unable to open the door accidentally while the car is not still.
However, not all cars have this feature. There are certain cars having speed sensing door locks. In such systems the car automatically locks when it reaches a defined speed. Generally, the defined speed is 10 km/h, or around 6 m/h.
The cost of an aftermarket car central locking system is around 3000 – 4000 rupee.
But in today’s time you can find the car central locking system in every new model. If you have an old one with the feature missing, there is an option to install it.
Today you can find many brands that offer car central locking systems like Nippon and blackcat.
You must also note that it may be a problem if the central lock is damaged. In such situations, you need to immediately take it to the nearest repair shop. Later the repair shop will check the condition of your car’s central lock and fix it. There are preventive measures which you can take to keep the car central locking system fine. You should routinely clean up the dirt around the car and avoid slamming doors. Do not use too much force while closing the doors of the car.
Above are some major information about car central locking which can help you in using the system properly.
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