Five Types of Kill Switches to Install in Your Car To Prevent Car Theft

With car thefts on the rise, it’s important to take every step possible to prevent your vehicle from being stolen. Installing a kill switch on your car is one way to prevent theft. These simple devices ensure your car doesn’t get snatched out from underneath you. How do you prevent your car from being stolen?

Installing a fuel system relay can prevent the fuel from entering the engine. There’s also a battery disconnect switch that’s simple to use. Alternativly, you can choose an easy-to-use remote car battery switching, an ignition wire killing switch, or fuse box death switch.

We will be covering the 5 types of automotive kill switches in this guide. This will help you to choose which one is right for you. Also, we will discuss the cost. 

What does an Automotive Kill Switch look like?

If you don’t know what a kill switch for the car is, you will have a difficult time choosing between these five types. To get your car to start, a kill switch must be turned on. If it’s not activated, a specific circuit will not be completed. 

There are many ways of operating the technology. However, all require some type of switch. It is important to keep the kill switch hidden so that nobody else can find it. If they know there’s a kill switch, they won’t have trouble starting your vehicle. Different types of kill switch require different methods of operation and installation. 

There are 5 types of kill switches

1. Relay Switch for Fuel System

The fuel pump relay switch must be activated before fuel can pass through the lines to your engine. Without fuel, it’s impossible for the motor to start. Interestingly enough, the engine will still crank, but there’s not going to be any gas to get it turned over. So, if a thief gets into your car, they will simply believe that there’s something wrong with your car and they will move on. 

You must locate the wiring harness within your car before you can install the fuel relay switch. The fuel switch relay wire must be spliced and a location chosen for the kill switch. You are now ready to go. 

RELATED : How to Protect Your Car From Catalytic Converter Theft

2. Rechargeable Battery Disconnect Switch

You will need to remove the connector that connects the battery and insert the disconnect switch. Now, the negative terminal will go on to the kill switch. This would be attached on to the battery post terminal. When it is activated, the car won’t get any power from the battery, mimicking what happens when there’s a dead battery. You will still be able start your vehicle normally once the switch has been turned. 

If you run a wire to mount the switch inside the car, you won’t have to get under the hood every time you want to start the engine. Your clock settings and presets will reset when you start the engine. This is because your battery has this memory. 

3. Remote Car Battery Change

This remote-controlled type is another option that can be installed to the battery. The remote can be kept on your keys so that you have easy access. What’s great about this option is that you can activate it any time you feel nervous about suspicious activity, even if you aren’t in your vehicle. 

The switch can be installed just as the wired one on the battery. The switch uses magnets to allow you to use the battery for driving and turn it off when protecting your vehicle. You will still experience the same problems with your memory as the previous battery. 

Here’s one example:

(This link is a referal, which means that we could receive a small commission for any qualifying purchase.

RELATED: The 10 Best Car GPS Trackers

4. Kill Switch on Ignition Wire

Without a well-running ignition system, there’s no way to start the car. This switch interrupts the flow of ignition and adds a break to the wire. It is necessary to remove the wiring from the ignition switch and install a connector. You can route the switch itself somewhere secretly in the vehicle’s cabin, where no one sees it. 

This device can be installed a bit more difficult. If you aren’t familiar with your ignition system, you want to look at the diagram in your service manual. To ensure a good fit, it is important to properly cut and solder the wire. 

5. Fuse Box Kill Switch

While this kill switch is going to stop power from getting to the car, it doesn’t cut it off with the battery. The fuse box is where power is taken out. You could pull the fuse box when you get out of the car and then put it back in again when you're ready to go. This can be annoying especially if you are in an awkward location. 

Installation of a switch which kills only the fuse you have chosen is simpler. Place the switch at an inconspicuous place and connect it to the appropriate fuse. 

Kill Switch Cost

Installation and the cost of the kill switch is typically between $10-$100. The price of the kill switch will depend on which type and make you pick, how you add it to your car, and whether or not you hire a professional. 

When you evaluate the low cost of the kill switch, it’s really a no-brainer, especially if you live or work in an area with a lot of car theft. For less than $100, you can keep your car from being stolen, which isn’t just a hassle, but can make your insurance rates jump through the roof. The automotive kill switch is certainly better than installing one of those bulky steering wheel locks and doesn’t provide a million false alerts as the car alarms do.