Cheap, Easy Habits That Make Your Car Less Worth Stealing

Theft of cars is usually caused by opportunistic criminals who want an easy target. In their vast majority, they will choose a vehicle which does not require them too much effort. There are also measures one can undertake which do not involve spending a lot of money on expensive security systems. Here are some ways to make your vehicle less attractive to the potential thieves.

Signal protection for key fob

A lot of cars nowadays operate using a keyless system. There is even a possibility of intercepting and extending the signal of a key fob to get access to the car. However, there is an option to protect the key fob - by putting it in an RF-blocking material (a bag or metal box), and storing the key somewhere away from doorways and windows at your home. Simple as it sounds, but it will make your car less accessible for the thief.

Do not leave keys in your car

Running your vehicle while being away may seem innocuous enough; however, it gives the thieves a chance to break in. Do not leave any extra keys lying around and always keep them with yourself. This applies both to locking up your vehicle and keeping it running in case you want to leave it and go somewhere else.

Keep the cabin boring

Laving valuable items like a bag, your cell phone, a laptop, your wallet or even cash in your car can attract unnecessary attention, so check your car before locking it up to see if there is anything left inside. Thieves may be tempted to break into your car just to see what you have left behind.

Rekeying locks

Rekeying the locks is one of the simplest and effective methods to increase your car security, especially if you buy a used vehicle or lost your key and are uncertain whether anybody can have it. You should know that rekeying locks means changing the lock so that all other keys will not fit anymore. This measure should be taken if you bought a second-hand car, for example.