7 Tips to Protect Your Vehicle From a Break-In and Other Threats

One of your responsibilities as a driver is to protect your vehicle from break-ins. If somebody breaks into your vehicle, you can lose items and spend a lot of money on expensive repairs. Here are ways to prevent vehicle break-ins and other threats.

1. Make Belongings Less Conspicuous

Criminals are more likely to break into your vehicle if they can see valuables inside the car. If they can't see anything inside your vehicle, they won't put the effort to break into the vehicle. Therefore, whenever you leave your vehicle, put everything of value in the trunk or under the seats. The items might include your wallet, purse, and any electronic devices.

Tinted windows are another way to prevent thieves from seeing valuable items inside the vehicle. The tints also make it difficult for thieves to know if somebody is inside the vehicle. 

2. Protect the Tires

Thieves target vehicle tires since the tires are easy to remove and have a high resale value. If your vehicle has expensive tires, find ways to keep them safe and make it harder for thieves to drive away with your vehicle. Common ways to protect the wheels include installing lug nut locks. Wheel clamps are necessary for high-crime areas and if you plan to leave your vehicle unattended for a long time.

3. Secure Car Keys

The easiest way for thieves to get into your vehicle is to steal your car keys. The most important tip is to never leave the keys inside the vehicle, even if you are just leaving the vehicle for a few minutes. If you have a spare key, store it outside the vehicle in a place nobody else knows about. Also, remember that because of the push-start feature in most modern cars, criminals can just drive away with the vehicle without finding the key as long as the key is inside the vehicle. 

4. Install a Kill Switch

Most modern vehicles come with a kill switch, but you may have to install the switch on older vehicles. The switch is a small button that you attach to the ignition wires. Each vehicle has a proper way and procedure to attach the switch button to prevent another person from turning on the engine. The most important aspect of the kill switch is that it must be small and discreet. 

5. Use GPS

A global positioning system (GPS) is a small device that always shows your vehicle's location. You can mount the device in a place where criminals won't check so that you can track the vehicle if it gets lost. GPS systems are rechargeable or can run on a single battery for several months. Avoid installing the GPS inside wheel wells and near bumpers, which can interfere with the signal.

6. Park the Vehicle in a Secure Spot

The garage at your home or work is usually the safest place to park your vehicle. Ensure the garage is always locked, and people have to use a transponder to access the garage. Choose well-lit areas if you have to park and leave your vehicle in the open. Ensure the area has many people moving around, as thieves will unlikely break into a vehicle when many people are watching.

Also, select a place with other security features, such as CCTV cameras or security guards.

7. Get an Alarm

A honking and shrieking car alarm that alerts the neighborhood can scare away thieves. Most modern vehicles already come with fully installed car alarms. If your vehicle lacks an alarm, you can get one at an affordable rate.

Tricounty Driving School is a defensive driving school that teaches new drivers about many things, including vehicle safety. We provide driving lessons to make you a better driver on the road. Contact us today to join our school.