Anti-theft alarm - operation?

[keyhole]

From this picture of my console, it can be seen that I have the ATA feature fitted. As I understand it, this system includes a tow-away alarm, triggered by the vehicle being lifted prior to being towed.

Now I have jacked the car a number of times, and run it up ramps, and I have never set off any alarms. I am wondering if there is even an alarm siren fitted, but as it's location is behind the inner fender it is not a 5-minute job to check that it is there.

Has anyone here exercised their ATA system, and can explain how to check it out?

[michom]

This towing alarm system won't be active while the car is on and running, it is not logical that someone would steal your car by towing it while your driving it. I haven't tested mine, but you can activate the siren by holding the panic key in your remote key. I am having a problem with my alarm, which starts the siren for no reason randomly sometimes and It takes some time to turn it off, as if the on board computer is messed up, not sure where to start...

[keyhole]

Hi

Thanks for your reply. I actually realized after my post that the alarm would not have been 'set' while up on the ramps, so that was a stupid example. However, if I locked the door (setting the ATA) while the car was raised at the front, would you expect the alarm to sound? The sensor must be like a spirit-level, right?

Unfortunately, M-B exports to the UK do not have the Panic Alarm fitted to the remote key as in the US. As I posted, I have yet to hear my siren go off.

[michom]

Lock the car with the remote and open it with the "mechanical key", that should activate the siren.