Buying a car is much easier than maintaining it and defending it from thieves. Car theft is one of the greatest problem faced by car owners. According to the NICB, a vehicle is stolen in the United States every 25.5 seconds. According to the Insurance Information Institute a car is stolen in United States every 24 seconds. If it is the case with US, how serious the problem would be with other countries. Auto theft continues to thrive despite those lists and regardless of new anti-theft technology that emerges with new models every year. There are several applicable ways to protect your car from theft. Anti theft alarms, steering and break locks, central locking system etc... Today car thieves are also smart enough to break through the most sophisticated anti theft systems. The first step involves using common sense, with recommendations like "not leaving your keys in the ignition" of an unlocked car.
Here listed are some of the ways to prevent your car from theft:
Fix with a reliable car alarm that will raise the alarm if the car is opened with a wrong key. But the alarm could be useful only if you are at the ear shot. Since it seems like any loud noise of a truck or other vehicles can set off your alarm. Instead of a motion-sensitive car alarm, you can use one that has a pager that will notify you as soon as your alarm is activated.
Keep valuables always out of plain sight in the car. Thieves may be tempted to break the window or will try to enter the car for steeling the valuables in the car. Take valuables with you or store them in the trunk. Also, if you have a stereo with a removable face plate, take it with you instead of tucking it away in the glove-box.
If there is a steering wheel lock, thieves may even cut the steering wheel itself. Instead of locking just your steering wheel, "lock" your car's ability to go by using a starter disable switch and putting it in a place where only you can get to it.
Dont expose any of the wiring system so that the thieves can cut it to car alarm mechanism deactivate the alarm system. Be careful to have your car alarm installed by a professional car alarm installer. Unlike retail chain employees, experts know what it takes to make your car elusive to crooks.
Never let others know what type of car alarm is used in your car. If come to know about the product, thieves can easily find ways to unlock the alarm. Never display stickers that advertise what sort of car alarm you have, or audio system for that matter. Consider using a hood lock cable so the thief can't get to your battery or car alarm mechanism.
Always lock your car when you are not in the car. Never leave your keys in the ignition even for a quick errand. Car theft is a crime of opportunity, so don't make it easy for them to grab yours.
Keep your registration and insurance information with you and never leave personal information in your car. The information will help thieves to sell a stolen car with ease.
Sporting events, movie theaters and shopping center parking lots are favourite places of thieves since they offer the largest variety of cars in one area. Whenever possible, park in lots and garages that have security or parking lot attendants. If not, don't park in the farthest corner of the lot but rather near the entrance of these facilities to insure the most foot traffic. Also, opt for paying the extra couple of bucks for the monitored parking lot instead of using the free parking on the less-trafficked side streets.
Don't leave spare keys in your car or in a magnetic box attached to the underside of your car. Thieves know where all the "hiding places" are.
Even though auto theft is a crime of opportunity, if a crook really wants your car, he'll do whatever it takes to get it regardless of steering wheel locks or car alarms. But with the above knowledge, you can slow him down, make your car inconvenient to thieves and, hopefully, discourage them from attempting to steal your vehicle. Layering your car with anti-theft protection, especially if it's at the top of the most stolen vehicles list, is a good start. But, as with anything that is of value to you, the most important protection you can give your car is to take a proactive approach to security when you leave it unattended.