Competent Car Theft Prevention | The Budget Commuter

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Competent Car Theft Prevention

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Wwooaowh. Wwooaowh. Eeee. Eeee. Wwooahwh. Wwooaowh. Eeee. Eeee.

Ah, car theft systems. Gotta love ‘em. When was the last time one of these things was seen as cause for alarm? Today, car alarms are mostly viewed as common annoyances. No one hears one of these babies and thinks, “Oh no. Someone’s car is being stolen. I’d better go help them.”

All the same, consumer spend thousands extra on factory installed auto theft prevention devices. Which ones work, and which ones are just a waste? And what third-party protections are worth the money?

VIN Etching - LOSER

The experts tell us that etching VIN numbers into regularly harvested parts will deter criminals who chop up cars. Unfortunately, it hasn’t proven to be that effective.

Costs can vary greatly too, from as little as $20 into the hundreds. According to WatchYourCar.org (http://www.watchyourcar.org/content/?/protect/devices), you can have this done for free at Pennsylvania Auto Theft Prevention Authority VIN etching events. If you’re having to pay for the service, it probably is not worth the investment.

Secure Parking Lot Fees - FOR THE WIN

A little common sense can go a long way. Criminals are less likely to steal a car from a lot with camera security than they are a vacant lot down the street. They’re also less likely to steal a car in a busy section of a parking lot than a quiet corner with fewer cars.

Steering Wheel Lock - LOSER

Systems that lock around the steering wheel, like The Club, may be cheaper than an alarm but are pretty ineffective. Thieves these days prepare themselves and aren’t shy about cutting through a steering wheel to get what they want. Brake, tire and shifting knob locks may provide more protection.

Passive Immobilizer - FOR THE WIN

Called SmartKeys or SecureLocks, passive immobilizers keep cars from starting without a factory key fit with a computer chip. Companies have started offering these as standard options because they are that helpful in preventing theft. (Just order extra keys when you don’t need them. Replacements need to go through dealerships and can be expensive.)

Decoy Decals - LOOOOSER

Who started this trend of putting security stickers on car (and home) windows when there’s not a system in use? Chances are, whoever it was stole for a living. If you see a car with one of these stickers, try the handle. My guess is it will be unlocked, with a spare set of keys in the glove compartment.

It’s just as bad to advertise when you do have a system. By showing off the name of a company or product, you’re giving experienced car thieves info on how to disable your system that much faster.

Auto Recovery Systems - FOR THE WIN

The next best thing to preventing a car theft is getting your car back. Auto Recovery Systems, like LoJack, cost a bundle but come with guarantees and possible discounts on your car insurance. They’re also effective enough to get your property back before its stripped (sometimes with the thief inside).

In the fight to protect your property, recovery systems return much more value than the investment in a traditional car alarm, or even a pager alarm which ring you personally and leave you to deal with the potential crime.

If driving was the end all of auto ownership, we wouldn’t have modified parts, super-stereos or double DVD players built into headrests. For many people, driving is a fun activity, for others, something that takes up too much of their day.

Whatever your case, you should be able to enjoy the ride you want without worrying about someone taking it off the streets. Hopefully, knowing which anti-theft devices have more value than others will allow you to save your property and some cash at the same time.

Sources: TransAlt, Edmunds,
[Images: TheClub.com ]