Autowatch Ghost III CAN-FD Immobiliser

CAN-FD stands for Controller Area Network Flexible Data-rate. It is a next-generation version of the CAN bus communication standard that modern vehicles use to allow electronic systems to communicate with each other, from the engine control unit to the gearbox, dashboard, and safety systems.

CAN-FD operates at significantly higher speeds than traditional CAN networks and is increasingly used in the latest generation of vehicles from brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and others. The higher speed allows more data to travel between systems in less time, which enables more sophisticated vehicle features.

The relevance for security is that older immobiliser systems, including the Ghost-II, do not support CAN-FD protocols. If your vehicle uses a CAN-FD network, a standard CAN-based immobiliser may not be able to integrate with it. The Ghost-III is built specifically to support CAN-FD, ensuring full integration and effective immobilisation on the latest vehicles.

The Ghost-III is installed by an Autowatch trained approved third-party technician who connects the system invisibly to your vehicle’s CAN bus networks.

During installation, your technician will programme a unique disarm sequence and brief you on all methods of authorisation available to you, including a disarm sequence via existing vehicle buttons, key-fob, or smartphone. You will then be able to change the disarm sequence once the technician has left.

They will show you how to use service / valet mode, which allows you to handover the car for work or parking without revealing the disarm sequence or even the fact that a Ghost-III has been installed.

Finally, the technician will show you how to use your emergency code should the standard disarm sequence stops working.

Installation is typically completed within a few hours. To arrange this through the Autowatch dealer network, contact us at 01732 886 777 or sales@autowatch.co.uk, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.

Every vehicle on the compatibility guide is supported by the Ghost-III.

If your vehicle is not yet listed, the Autowatch team includes highly trained on-the-road technical development engineers who can work to develop a solution for your vehicle. Contact us directly to discuss your options.

The Ghost-III uses a multi-layered immobilisation approach that is matched to your specific vehicle’s architecture. Depending on the vehicle, this can include:

• Digital engine blocking via the CAN bus, the Ghost-III sends commands over the vehicle’s own network to prevent engine or gearbox authorisation.
• LIN bus integration, for vehicles where relevant systems are controlled via LIN bus as well as CAN.
• Traditional analogue circuit cuts, where a physical circuit immobilisation provides an additional or alternative layer.

The appropriate immobilisation method is determined at installation based on your vehicle’s specific network architecture, ensuring the most effective and reliable protection for that platform.

The combination of CAN, LIN, and analogue options gives the Ghost-III resilience that single-method systems cannot match.

Generally, yes. The Ghost-III uses smart immobilisation technology that allows remote heat and cool functions to operate normally through your vehicle’s factory applications, such as JLR InControl or the Ford App, even while the immobilisation is active.

This means you can pre-condition your vehicle’s temperature remotely without the Ghost-III interpreting this as an unauthorised start. The engine may run to support climate functions, but the vehicle cannot be driven without the disarm sequence being completed.

This is an important distinction: the Ghost-III does not simply cut power to start the engine. It controls whether the vehicle can be driven, while preserving the functionality of legitimate remote features.

NOTE: There are some vehicles where remote climate control or remote movement might not be possible with the added security of the Ghost-III..

The Ghost-III supports three methods of disarming, depending on your installation:

1. Disarm sequence (PIN): Enter your custom sequence using buttons already fitted to the car. Such as steering wheel controls, door switches, or dashboard buttons. This is the standard method and is available on all installations.
2. Key-fob: A discreet physical tag that can be used to authorise the vehicle instead of or in addition to the disarm sequence.
3. Smartphone: App-based authorisation is available on compatible setups, allowing you to disarm passively via your phone.

Your installer will be able to assist you in setting up all these methods and brief you fully during handover. The disarm sequence can be changed at any time by following the programming procedure, so nobody needs to know your secret.

Yes. The Ghost-III has a service mode / valet mode, allowing you to hand your vehicle over to a workshop, garage, or valet service without compromising your security setup.

In service mode, the immobilisation requirement is temporarily suspended so the vehicle can be driven and serviced by a third party without them needing to know your disarm sequence. You activate service mode yourself before handing over the vehicle, and deactivate it again by entering your sequence when you collect it.

This means your personal disarm sequence never needs to be shared with anyone.

Note: Service mode will automatically exit should the car be driven for a pre-programmed continuous time, by default this is 15 minutes. There is no speed limiter in service mode. There is no limit to the number of journeys of less than 15 minutes (or other programmed time) that can be done. When automatic service mode exit happens the car will not shut down, the Ghost-III will rearm once ignition has been switched off.

Yes. The Ghost-III is designed to work alongside complementary Autowatch security products for enhanced, layered protection. Recommended pairings include:

• Anti-tamper siren: Provides audible alert if the vehicle is interfered with, adding a detection and deterrence layer to the Ghost-III’s prevention capability.
• Autowatch CANBOT locator/communicator: A next-generation device that adds location and communication functionality, including enabling service mode, trip history, full lockdown where the code will not be accepted, alerts for theft attempts, and much more.
• Thatcham S5 or S7 tracking: GPS tracking products that aid recovery in the event of theft. Combined with the Ghost-III’s prevention capability, tracking provides a complementary recovery layer.

Speak to the Autowatch team to discuss which combination of products is best suited to your vehicle and security requirements.