Many car enthusiasts invest a lot of their time and money in not just cars but in their maintenance as well. The more costly the car is the more chances of them getting stolen from some parking lot or even someone’s driveway one fine day. The fact that car theft is on the rise and the vehicle owners should worry about it but an even bigger problem is how times have evolved and car thieves use hi-tech, non-invasive techniques which are relatively easier to slip under the radar from the back up camera recording and escape without being noticed. It is important to pay attention to this factor and take extra security measures to protect your vehicle against theft.
Every time you park your car somewhere, your priority should be its safety, especially at the night. In order to avoid any kind of added stress, here are a few security tips that will surely help you protect your car properly and minimize your chances of becoming a victim of car theft.
1. Securing Your Vehicle’s Keys:
Always make sure to keep car keys out of sight, even the spare ones. It might sound a bit too obvious but is commonly not paid much attention to, especially when people have to make a quick stop at a gas station or a store. Leaving your car keys in a visible place will let the thieves have easy access to your car, which can then get stolen very quickly and easily. Getting the original car key is the easiest way to steal almost any car as its usage will result in triggering neither an aftermarket alarm nor a factory.
You must always keep an eye on your car keys when running your daily errands, and it is also better to keep them by your side at night too. Always ensure not to leave them close to the front door or in an easily accessible place as it is not uncommon for thieves to break into houses with the one intention of getting the keys and being able to steal your car on the driveway.
Experienced criminals and thieves may even hook the car key ring through the letterbox using a special gadget that is in the shape of a fishing rod or even a coat hanger. It is also beneficial to keep the car keys in a metal key cabinet when home, especially if you have a keyless entry system in your car.
2. Install A Security Car Alarm System:
Installing a backup camera for car is beneficial but installing a car alarm serves as a theft-deterrent system and is designed to alert people if any unauthorized person tries to tamper with their car. Car alarm systems are preferably considered a great car security measure as they stay active at all times and only go off very quickly if someone tries to gain entry into the car. The new and advanced car alarms these days are even equipped with additional features, like a mobile notification system, that provide notifications every time an unusual activity is detected.
New and advanced vehicles come with a factory alarm system that is already installed but most of the older cars do not have such security features which is why they are unprotected. Most classic car models are more susceptible to car theft as they get older, it is crucial to think of equipping such cars with good aftermarket alarm systems to keep them secured at all times. But, over the years, many individuals have become numb to car alarm noises, especially in bigger cities and urban areas, where a number of false alarms on a daily basis are considered part of the everyday buzz that almost nobody pays attention to.
It is best to choose a high-quality model of car alarm system that will not be easily triggered, like by passing trucks, or stronger winds. This way, you will be able to equip your vehicle with a car security system that has a loud siren noise and will have more chances of alerting bystanders that something weird and suspicious is going on and act as a huge deterrent for the car thieves and criminals, even if an alarm itself will never be able to completely protect your car from being stolen.
3. Install A Lock On The Steering Wheel:
The lock for the steering wheel is one of the simplest theft deterrent systems and even a fairly accessible car security measure, at least if one is after a more basic model. It completely depends on how much you are willing to pay, and the more quality and advanced features you usually get. As the lock on the steering wheel fits on the steering wheel directly, which prevents its movement and therefore the possibility of the car being stolen.
Many advanced car thieves are experienced in hi-tech car theft methods, like smart key relay attacks or RF jamming that can easily be performed from a distance and do not need any special tools to get into the vehicle, as they are especially focused on a vehicle’s electronic system, and they usually do not carry any heavy material that they could use to get rid of the lock on the steering wheel by force and drive the car away.
4. Park Your Car in a Secured Area:
The most efficient and best way to keep your car secured is by parking it inside a garage, especially at night when the streets are empty and dark, which gives car thieves the chance to perform break-ins without being found. Indoor parking as a convenient bonus will even keep your vehicle safe from any unexpected weather-related damage, like falling branches or hail. In case you do not have any other option but to leave your vehicle on the street, you must ensure to park it in a high-traffic area, close to some public place. This is a great car security strategy as anyone passing by will easily identify any kind of theft attempt and it is more likely that someone among them will highlight it and also report it to the police.
But unfortunately, if you leave your car far away from your home in an isolated area, thieves might use this as an advantage to target your car in their next theft trial. They will be able to easily tamper with the locks uninterrupted and drive your car away without being noticed.