To activate limp mode in your fleet for the purpose of stopping vehicle theft, you’ll need to contact a service provider that offers this service. By tapping into the CAN Bus system of each vehicle, that service provider can install a type of “switch” that, when activated, will activate that vehicle’s limp mode, making it nearly impossible to drive.
Did you know that limp mode can be induced and used as a theft prevention method? It’s already being done in some countries, and this new innovation has also reached South Africa. Cartrack adds another layer of protection to your fleet by making sure thieves get a nasty surprise when they’re trying to get away with one of your vehicles.
If you do an online search for “limp mode”, you’ll probably find that most of the information is negative. This is not a “how to fix limp mode” article, it’s a new look at limp mode from the perspective of how you can use it to prevent your fleet vehicles from getting stolen or damaged. Let’s dig in!
Limp mode is a security & protection method for fleets. It safeguards your fleet vehicles from further damage when there’s a mechanical fault or malfunction. It also significantly hinders thieves & hijackers from getting away with your vehicles. Fleet managers are using limp mode to safeguard their vehicles as an extra layer of protection over-and-above GPS tracking and vehicle camera security.
Imagine one of your fleet’s vehicles getting stolen. You report the theft to Cartrack, and their recovery team gets on their way to locate your vehicle. In addition to GPS tracking, you’ve also opted for limp mode in all of your vehicles. It’s immediately activated, so the thief driving the stolen vehicle is suddenly perplexed as to why the vehicle isn’t moving as fast.
That thief is now in a very precarious position. They can’t make that all-important quick getaway as planned. The vehicle just won’t switch to a high enough gear, and the engine just isn’t powerful enough to drive fast. They start to assume the vehicle they’ve stolen is a dud, and abandon the theft. But it’s too late, because our recovery team has already caught up to retrieve your vehicle.
Now imagine your vehicle’s engine is overheating. The driver hasn’t noticed the check-engine light, and just carries on—unaware that the engine is on the brink of seizing. But then the vehicle goes into limp mode. The driver isn’t able to drive normally anymore, so they’re forced to stop and check what’s going on.
Limp mode has just saved your company thousands in engine repairs!
Limp mode is an adjustment that gets installed to your vehicle’s CAN Bus system. What is CAN Bus? It can be simply described as the “computer” network of the vehicle. Most modern vehicles have a central command center that processes vehicle activity, and this is called the CAN Bus.
Cartrack simply adds a CAN Bus clamp to the vehicle’s CAN Bus, and this clamp allows us to remotely activate limp mode.
During limp mode the vehicle’s engine will output around 70% less power, causing it to drive much slower. RPMs will be limited to no more than 3 000, and the engine light will switch on. The vehicle’s transmission will also lock into a low gear, which further hinders the vehicle’s ability to drive at high speeds.
Limp mode on a vehicle can be triggered by purposeful activation (because of theft), a serious mechanical fault in the vehicle, or a faulty battery. Other triggers include:
Many of these triggers are built-in limp mode safeguards that come with modern vehicles. But limp mode can and should also be added to fleet vehicles to further protect them. But why?
BECAUSE: Your vehicle may not already have limp mode as a built-in feature
If your vehicles haven’t come with limp mode as a built in feature, it’s recommended that you get a company like Cartrack to add it to your security arsenal. If the vehicle is an older model, it may not have the same protections more modern vehicles have, but at least you can add it by getting in touch with Cartrack’s vehicle security consultants.
BECAUSE: Limp mode can’t be remotely activated in case of theft or hijacking
Even if your vehicles do come with built-in limp mode, this activation is automatic. So if your vehicle gets stolen, you won’t have the control to activate it and slow down the criminals. With Cartrack’s limp mode installed, we’ll make sure that vehicle is too slow to steal easily.
Limp mode can (and should) be combined with other vehicle security features from Cartrack, and these options include:
These features all pertain to the security and health of your vehicle, and work extremely well as a combination.
How do these layer your vehicle with money-saving benefits in addition to limp mode? Let’s have a look.
While limp mode seriously impairs the vehicle’s power and speed, you still want to know where it is if it’s been stolen. This is where GPS tracking comes in handy. Our recovery team will locate the vehicle, retrieve it, and work with local authorities to apprehend the thieves.
Limp mode and GPS tracking are two features that should never NOT be together, since they work well together to ensure the safety of your assets.
Vehicle cameras and dashcams with built-in AI are essential if you want to elevate the security of your vehicles. These devices aren’t only used to monitor the road and cabins of your vehicles, but they give you invaluable material for driver coaching (discussed more below).
Fleets with expensive vehicles should definitely protect them with cameras that watch and alert based on events deemed serious or dangerous. AI cameras work well with limp mode because you’ll be able to watch a live feed of what’s happening inside your vehicle as the thief gets their reality check when the engine suddenly stops performing.
Driver coaching and AI cameras go hand-in-hand as a combination of tools used for coaching drivers. But coaching is another method fleet managers use to maintain the health of their vehicles. Drivers that are properly coached drive and handle your vehicles much better. This increases the lifespan of your assets—and of course limp mode will be there to make sure they don’t drive damaged vehicles.
Another way to ensure the long term health of your fleet’s vehicles is to get predictive maintenance software. Just like limp mode, this also works through Cartrack’s CAN Bus clamp. The condition of the vehicle is continually monitored and mechanical problems are predicted ahead of time.
This software also automates your service scheduling and books your vehicles in for maintenance when they actually need it. Limp mode then acts as a backup if services aren’t carried out correctly or missed entirely.
Limp mode really sticks it to vehicle thieves! If you want this awesome security feature, call Cartrack now and we’ll quote you on getting it integrated into your fleets’ vehicles.
Learn how to remotely trigger limp mode to slow down stolen vehicles, protect your fleet assets, and assist recovery efforts. Secure your fleet today.
