Central Locking / Remote Locking / Keyless entry

Nowadays cars can be fitted with an electronic locking system which is connected to the Engine Control Unit (ECU). To lock the car from the inside the driver has to do is use the key to lock one of the front doors and all the doors lock automatically. When seated in the car the driver can all the doors lock or unlock them by locking or unlocking the driver’s side door lock manually. Other than being a hugely convenient system it is a very important safety feature. Every key comes with a unique code which is matched with the code in the onboard computer. Once the key is used to lock the car an immobiliser goes off in the engine. Now, only when the onboard computer detects the same code from the car key will it unlock the immobiliser in the engine. When the immobiliser is on the engine of the car will not start.

Central locking systems on cars evolved to locking systems that could be operated with a remote. That had buttons on a remote attached to the key. The car can be locked or unlocked with the remote, some remotes also have a button to set off the car alarm. Car remotes are extremely useful for locating your car in a car park. People lock and unlock their cars with the remote and try to identify where the sound is coming from and the blinking lights also help to locate your car should you lose it in a car park. These remote locking systems work on the principle of radio waves.

The latest trend in remote locking for cars is keyless entry. The car does not come with anything in the shape of a key. There are electronic key cards that come with the car. These key cards never have to be taken out of your pocket. The car detects the key which can be in your pocket, hand, bag, etc. Once the key comes within certain proximity of the car, the car automatically unlocks itself. Once the person is in the car the start button can be used to start the car and drive away. As long the key is somewhere in the vehicles the car will keep going.