In the 2000 movie “Gone in 60 Seconds”, Nicholas Cage rose to the challenge of a British crime boss to steal 50 cars in a single night. He and his team of car thieves pulled off each heist nearly incident free, being able to steal a car in “less than 60 seconds”. By the end of the movie, nearly all of the cars had been stolen, which brings the climatic finale. In the end, the car thieves get off easy, and everyone lives happily ever after.
Now, stealing cars may not always be as simple for thieves as it is depicted by Hollywood. However, it’s still important to remember that the best way to prevent the theft of your car is to invest in security. According to the FBI’s 2007 Crime Report, a vehicle is stolen every 26 seconds in the United States. By choosing a reliable anti-theft device, you can avoid becoming a part of this statistic.
Anti-Theft Devices: The Steering Wheel Lock
This is one of the most popular anti-theft devices used in vehicles. A fairly high-quality steering wheel lock usually costs around $50 – $60, with some high-end models priced at over $150. However, when investing in a steering wheel lock, keep this in mind – Steering wheel locks are most reliable as a visual deterrent. The weakness of this device is that a thief with a sturdy pair of cable-cutters can cut through the steering wheel itself, subsequently removing the lock. However, as many car thieves are opportunistic, having a steering wheel lock in place can be a great security method to use in combination with other anti-theft devices.
Anti-theft Devices: Armored Collar (Steering Column Lock)
This device could be considered an “upgrade” of the original steering wheel lock, since it protects the entire steering column. It prevents the movement of the steering wheel, of the column gear shift lever (if present), and the ignition module. Due to the differences between the steering columns in some vehicles, it’s important to only purchase a lock that is compatible with your car. A steering column lock can usually be purchased for $30 – $130.
Anti-Theft Devices: Engine Immobilizer
To prevent your car from being stolen, you can purchase an engine immobilizer. An engine immobilizer is a special device which prevents power from flowing into your engine unless your car is within range of a specific microchip. This microchip may be embedded in the ignition key for the vehicle. To read a more detailed analysis of engine immobilizers, check out our article: “Engine Immobilizer – What is it, and Is it Right for Me?“.
Anti-Theft Devices: Common Sense
You may be surprised at the number of vehicles that are stolen each year simply due to a lack of common sense. Having common sense can be the most reliable and effective weapon that you can use to prevent your car from being stolen. Never park in an area where you feel uncomfortable, and always take your keys with you when you leave your car. Never leave your car running, even if you are only stopped for a short period of time. Do not keep copies of your car’s keys inside your vehicle, even if they are well-hidden. Never leave valuables (such as cash, GPS devices, cell phones, purses) in a visible area inside your car, as this may tempt a thief to break in.
Are Car Alarms Reliable?
The problem with car alarms isn’t necessarily that they aren’t reliable in their ability to operate. There are many highly sophisticated car alarms on the market today, which take advantage of advances in vehicle security technology. However, it’s important to keep in mind what car alarms are designed for – to emit a loud, obnoxious sound that can scare off intruders, and alert nearby people of the theft. In today’s society, false car alarms are fairly common. When you hear a car alarm go off in front of your apartment building, what do you do? Do you run outside, scanning for a potential car thief? Or, do you sigh, and say something like, “That person should really go out and shut off their car alarm”? While installing a car alarm is a great way to help protect your vehicle’s security, you should never rely on it as a sole anti-theft device.
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