is there no alarm set light on a V8V

[v8woollie]

On my old S4 (and most other previous cars) when I locked the car, and therefore set the alarm, there was always a red flashing light somewhere, either on the doors, on the dash or on the rear view mirror to indicate that the alarm was set (I don't mean flashing the indicators to show that the car has been locked but rather the constant indication after locking).

On the V8V, the PATS light flashes for a minute or so and then goes out and there is then no visible indication that the alarm is set, which I assume sometimes deters thieves from even trying to get into a car.

Is it correct that there is no visual indication of alarm operation or do I have a light gone out somewhere?

[peterr96]

I don't think there is an alarm set light.

we wouldn't want anything draining the battery unnecessarily would we!

[silverspeed]

I thought there was a red light on the dash next to the lights on light.

[MichaelV8V]

From about MY10 you can set the mirrors to auto fold when the car is locked, I check the position of the mirrors to confirm that the car is locked / alarm set

[v8woollie]

Thanks all. My 07 model V8V does fold the mirrors when the doors are locked and I also have the indicators set to flash. I just take comfort in knowing that there is a red light visible to deter thieves, but I guess AM don't think that is necessary.

[v8woollie]

silverspeed said:

I thought there was a red light on the dash next to the lights on light.

If there is then mine doesn't work

[silverspeed]

Checked when I got home no light on dash just mirrors fold in and indicators flash.

[v8woollie]

Thanks for checking. I think having a visual indication of an alarm being set is a good thing. Wonder why AM decided not to have one. Maybe as mentioned earlier it is battery drain, although I never had a flat battery in any other car even when left for weeks.

I also don't understand the logic in having the deadlocks activate 25 seconds after locking the car. Why not immediately. I find myself waiting to hear the click before walking away.

[silverspeed]

v8woollie said:

Thanks for checking. I think having a visual indication of an alarm being set is a good thing. Wonder why AM decided not to have one. Maybe as mentioned earlier it is battery drain, although I never had a flat battery in any other car even when left for weeks.

I also don't understand the logic in having the deadlocks activate 25 seconds after locking the car. Why not immediately. I find myself waiting to hear the click before walking away.

Don't the deadlocks activate when the tracker sets?

[v8woollie]

I don't know. Can't see why they don't engage straight away. The S4 did, my wife's CRV does.

I know tracker works though. Drove off without having Bluetooth active on my phone. Realised after a minute and turned it on. Had a call and a text message another couple of minutes later. Nice to know it works.

Edited by v8woollie on Tuesday 3rd April 22:14

[MichaelV8V]

Its the knowledge that it has a tracker, and that all AMs have a tracker, that makes me a bit relaxed about the alarm.

[krisdelta]

The door handles are pretty secure - I still catch myself out 4 months in!! I'd imagine that would keep your average thief pondering for a while

[DAMIT]

Also be aware that car locking system will on odd occasions will leave the passenger door UNLOCKED!!

Read this on here and now check it from time to time. It has happened to me once so far. The alarm did go off when the door opened though.

[v8woollie]

DAMIT said:

Also be aware that car locking system will on odd occasions will leave the passenger door UNLOCKED!!

Read this on here and now check it from time to time. It has happened to me once so far. The alarm did go off when the door opened though.

Oh marvelous! Now I will have to keep checking the passenger door as well as wait for the deadlock click. Better leave extra time for each journey