I have found that a large number of our interlock clients encounter problems with their car not starting 3 days after their interlock was installed. Often the client says they did everything right at the installation. Typically they have a protein shake for breakfast.
Here’s the lowdown on the typical post-install issues that your interlock will have: (Keep in mind, that these issues are normal for interlock devices attached to vehicles.)
False positives: the most common complaint, and the most misunderstood
Here’s a list of some of the most common food and drink items that can trigger a false positive reading by a breath test device: mouthwash, kombucha (fermented), protein powders, bread with live yeast in it, and even ripe bananas. Some oral health products, such as mouth washes, can also trigger false positives. And many oral medications can trigger false positives as well.
Most problems that occur with interlock devices after a person has started driving are caused by normal activities of daily living. These problems can often be traced back to items that are consumed by the person and are later detected in the person’s breath by the breath testing device. For example, many mouthwashes that are used for oral hygiene have high levels of alcohol. Many people falsely report problems with their interlock devices after having consumed a fermented food or drink, such as kombucha.
Many protein supplements can cause problems with an interlock device. Some types of bread that use live yeast in them can also be detected in a person’s breath and cause problems. Yes, even ripe bananas can cause a problem with an interlock device, even though the person has not consumed any alcohol. Some people falsely report that they have been problems with their interlock devices after consuming mouthwash prior to driving a vehicle. Most of the time, however, the individual who falsely reported a problem with their interlock device after having consumed mouthwash prior to driving had eaten a protein supplement prior to driving and consuming the mouthwash. In any case, the vast majority of interlock programs have a formal process by which a person can contest a false interlock problem. Documentation of the circumstances of the reading is crucial, however. A person should always make a record of the time that the reading occurred, as well as a list of all of the items that were consumed by the individual prior to the time of the reading.
Delay 15 minutes to 20 minutes after a meal. Wait 15 minutes to 20 minutes after consuming any drinks other than water. Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with water after eating. Put dental gum in your mouth after meals. Interlocks can have false positives if you interact with your interlock when it is not necessary to take a sample. If you wait a short time after consuming, brushing your teeth or gums after eating, etc. then you can avoid having to deal with your interlock when it is not necessary to take a sample.
Rolling retests | What happens if you miss a test?
A retest is given to you while you are driving and you are given a few minutes to pull over to a safe location to retest for alcohol. If you are on the freeway during heavy traffic you may not be able to pull over in time and you will fail the test.
An additional penalty that you cannot afford to have recorded even if it is an accidental violation.
Practical Steps for Hard Drivers
- Plan your route so you can pull over if needed
- Keep nothing in your mouth while driving
- If a retest request happens, stay calm and find a safe spot quickly rather than rushing the sample while moving
- Talk to your provider if you regularly drive in situations where stopping is difficult (long highway stretches, for example)
It is also worth noting that some interlock programs are more suited to individuals who drive for a living than others, such as those who do medical transport, or drive long rural routes of travel. It is best to talk with a company to see what program would be best for your specific situation.
Installation-related technical problems
Problems with the installation can also cause many problems for the user. The vast majority of problems with breath testing devices have nothing to do with the testing themselves and are caused by how the device was wired up into the car’s ignition system. The interlock can sometimes drain the car’s battery if it is not driven for long periods of time, or if the car has an old battery already. Also, there is a chance for the wiring from the interlock to the car’s wiring loom to cause problems with other electronic components in the car, particularly in cars with many computerized systems. The interlock can also go out of calibration over time. This can cause the readings to become less accurate.
Just because a device is not in use and the car is not being driven does not mean that it will draw no power. The interock continually draws power to continually monitor the breath sample. Many devices draw so little power that the interock can draw power continually without draining the car’s battery. However, there are times when a car is parked for long periods of time and the car’s battery is already old or weak. In these instances, the interock could draw down the car’s battery and as the interock continually draws down the battery so to will the car’s other accessories (radio, lights, etc.) and the two will end up drawing down the battery much faster than either would alone.
If you are looking for a breathalyzer device installation Modesto, the provider can check your vehicle for any compatibility issues with your interlock device prior to the installation of your interlock device. This is especially important if you drive a newer model vehicle or if any electrical work has been done on your vehicle in the past. Knowing ahead of time if your vehicle is compatible with your interlock device will save you a lot of headache in the long run.
Calibration appointments: don’t skip them
Typically an interlock device must be serviced and/or calibrated every 30, 60 or 90 days. This service typically is scheduled by a service representative from the interlock provider. The service typically takes place at the interlock device owner’s home or in a storage facility where the interlock device is kept. The service representative will swap out the interlock device mouthpiece and test the interlock to ensure that it is functioning properly. It is essential that the interlock calibration is scheduled and kept, as failure to do so can result in the creation of one or more violation log entries that will be reviewed by the monitoring authority.
The following is a simple outline to review the required steps for an interlock calibration as opposed to failing to report for a required interlock calibration:
| Scenario | What happens | Risk level |
| On-time calibration | Device accuracy verified, data downloaded, clean record maintained | Low |
| Missed appointment | Device may lock out, violation logged with monitoring authority | High |
| Late calibration (within grace period) | May be acceptable depending on program rules | Medium |
| Repeated missed calibrations | Program extension or revocation possible | Very high |
Put the date and time of the required maintenance for your interlock device in your calendar two places. Send yourself a cell phone reminder for the same date and time. If your interlock device fails and the interlock program fails as well, you will lose all of your program progress in an instant. Make sure you treat the date and time of your next required maintenance for your interlock device as you would payment for electricity that will be cut off if you don’t pay on time.
When something just feels wrong
Your device. Your car. Your interlock. If your device is behaving abnormally and is causing you concern and your car is behaving strangely (dysfunction) and it is related to the installation of your car’s interlock device – Call your provider immediately.
Knowing how the interlock program works and how it can cause problems for the road user, (‘friction’), can enable a great deal to help prevent the vast majority of problems which can occur whilst using an Interlock device and promote full accountability whilst using one.
