Frequently Asked Questions
What are the differences between a Cat 1 and a Cat 2 security system?
Most Insurance Companies will specify that your car should either have a Cat 1 or Cat 2 for the policy to insure against theft. A Category 2 (Cat 2) specifies a car immobiliser and a Category 1 (Cat 1) means a car alarm with incorporated immobiliser. These classification are set by ‘Thatcham’ which is a company that tests car alarms & immobilisers to determine that they reach a certain standard, they then award the systems a Cat 1 or Cat 2 status.
What does it mean when you say car alarms are Thatcham Approved?
Thatcham is a company that provides data assessment services to the Motor Industry and Insurance Companies. They provide vigorous testing of car security systems that are submitted for approval, and once a system has passed they award it a Category 1 or Category 2 status. This information is then made available to insurance companies.
I have purchased a key or remote from the internet, the seller sent me some instructions but it does not work?
At Extreme Security we spend £1000s on equipment to programme keys and remote key fobs. If you purchase second hand keys and remote key fobs, some may work, many do not.
I have lost my keys. Is there any easy way to override my immobiliser system?
The simple answer is NO. There would be no point in having an immobiliser if it was easy to disable.
I was driving along and suddenly the Check Engine Light comes on. What is it? What does it mean?
Check Engine Light, Check Engine Soon Light, Service Engine Soon Light, Engine Light, Engine Management Light, whatever you want to call it, simply means that your vehicles computer system has detected a problem.
Depending on the year, make, and model, it may be related to the engine, the transmission, even the brakes and suspension. There are literally hundreds of reasons a Check Engine Light may appear.
Can the car be driven with the engine warning light on?
The general rule is this: if the Service Engine Soon Light is on, and the car seems to be running ok, you can drive it. However, you should have it checked at your earliest convenience.
If your vehicle is running poorly, stalling, hesitating, or you just don’t feel safe, then it is best to get it recovered to your nearest garage.
The check engine light went out by itself. Is it ok now?
Probably not. Check Engine Lights often come and go. Even if the light is out, your vehicles computer system will retain information that will allow the problem to be diagnosed. To avoid potential long term issues, get it checked out.
I have lost my car keys can you help?
Yes depending on what vehicle you have, we only use genuine programming equipment and not cheap Chinese copy machines, so we can program most vehicles.
I need a spare key do you need any codes?
On some vehicles we might need codes to program your new key, but if you haven't got it don't worry we can help you get it.
What area do you cover?
We cover the West Midlands and South Wales.
Can you cut me a key and post it to me?
We can supply, cut and program keys ready to start your vehicle, you need to send us by registered post your vehicles immobiliser box and key number, we can then cut a key to code and program the eeprom inside your immobiliser to 1 or 2 new keys and return it to you by registered post or courier the next day, the keys will then be ready to start your car once the immobiliser box is refitted.
I have been told only the Main Dealer can program my car key?
This is not true we program keys for some Main Dealers.
My Renault card has stopped working?
Commonly its the card at fault, we can test to see if a signal is being received from the transponder chip, if the card is damaged we can supply a new card and program it to your car without the need of a 10 day wait for a card to turn up like the dealership, we always keep these cards in stock.
The buttons on my Renault card have stopped working?
The buttons inside have broken off the circuit board, there are many people on the internet who will repair these for around £20 BUT we do not advise this, the cards are sealed and more problems can occur within a few months after the initial repair has been done. We can supply a new card and program it to your car without the wait of up to 10 days for a new card to be ordered like with the dealer.
Can you help i have lost my keys to my Rover 25?
Yes we can, depending on the year of the car it will have either a Lucas or Pektron system, if the car has a Pektron system you cannot program a remote if the cars immobiliser is armed, Rover would replace the Immobiliser ECU, we don't need to do this we can reprogram your ECU, if it is a Lucas system we can program remote's diagnostically. We can also cut you new keys to code so you will not need new locks fitted.
I have been quoted over £150 for a spare key for my Iveco can you do it for me?
Yes we can, we can cut and program a spare key for you, this normally takes around 30 minutes.
I have had the key stolen for my Ford Fiesta can you replace it for me?
Yes we can and we will also erase you old keys from your ECU so they will not work anymore.