In these tough financial times, most people need vacations more than ever. And people also want to save a lot of money if they can. An inexpensive solution is to take the family car and drive to and from your vacation destination instead of flying.
If you plan to drive, it may also make sense to take steps to protect yourself and your family from auto theft. Having a car thief steal your car, luggage or other valuables from your trunk could really put a damper on what was supposed to be a fun and enjoyable trip.
Even if you take all of the numerous precautions to prevent car theft when traveling, very determined professional car thieves can still steal any vehicle if they want it bad enough. Can you remember the auto theft action movie Gone In 60 Seconds starring Nicolas Cage? However, you can still drastically reduce the chances of becoming a victim of auto theft to close to zero.
Most of these auto theft preventative measures are common sense and won’t cost you anything to do. So why not get in the habit of implementing them not only when you are traveling by car on vacation, but also in your daily driving?
For starters, you should never assume that you’re immune to car thieves when you’re traveling, or that it really wouldn’t be worth stealing your vehicle.
Keep in mind that sometimes these thieves may be after more than just your vehicle, luggage, or any valuables that may be inside your car or trunk. They may just want an older car to enjoy a ride in, or take to sell their parts.
They may also be after your vehicle documents for identity theft purposes, or they could be thinking of robbing your hometown residence while you’re on vacation. Where would they get this important information? From the vehicle registration and car insurance papers that are usually conveniently located in the glove compartment.
The best way to eliminate this problem is to carry these documents with you at all times when you travel on vacation.
The second best way to reduce this problem is to hide the documents very well in the trunk. Some police forces in cities that have a high incidence of carjacking recommend doing this. Just remember to tell everyone traveling with you where these documents are kept inside the trunk.
Here are a few more ways you can lessen the chance of car thieves ruining your vacation. If you manage to implement a few of these tips, you can drastically decrease your chances of becoming another carjacking victim while traveling.
Close all windows in your vehicle tightly and lock all doors when you park your vehicle anywhere, even for just a minute or two.
A real invitation to lose your vehicle is idling unattended. Under no circumstances should you do this. Do not even think about it.
Similarly, you should not leave your vehicle keys in the ignition or hidden anywhere in the car. That also includes a second set of keys. Professional car thieves can easily find any key hidden in usual places very quickly. Keep an extra set of keys on your person.
Do not leave valuables in your vehicle, even if they cannot be seen from outside your car. If possible, take them with you.
However, if you have no choice but to leave valuables in your vehicle, at least make sure they are locked up inside your trunk. When you do this, check first and look around to make sure no one is watching, or better yet, pull over, stop, and stow it in your trunk before you reach your intended destination. Praying eyes can be anywhere.
When parking your vehicle in public areas, turn the front wheels to the left or right before turning the ignition off. This will activate the steering wheel lock mechanism on the steering column, which can make your car a bit more difficult to steal.
Activating the emergency brake after you have parked and turned off the engine can also make your vehicle more difficult to tow.
For front and rear wheel drive vehicles, you need to park them differently when you are in underground parking. Front wheel drive cars should be parked nose in and rear wheel drive cars nose out. Then turn your tires to the left or right. Again, this can make your vehicle more difficult to tow.
It is always better to park in an attendant controlled lot rather than an unattended one. If it is a place where there is valet parking, just give the attendant your door and the ignition key. They don’t need any of the other keys on your keychain.
In public places at dusk and at night, always park in a well-lit area that has heavy foot traffic. Keep in mind that most car thieves prefer to work under cover of darkness.
Try to avoid parking near or next to any obstruction, such as a fence, hedge, large truck, or anything that will block a clear view of your vehicle for vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
When staying in a place that has a secure, gated parking lot, make sure the gate is fully closed after entering or exiting so that a thief does not sneak into the parking area behind your vehicle.
If you see any suspicious activity, such as a person or a group of people loitering in or near your vehicle, you should call the police.
Here are some anti-theft devices you can install for maximum protection. You may already have some of these products installed in your vehicle.
You must use a highly visible aftermarket steering wheel lock bar. Most car thieves will probably look for easier prey. Other less visible aftermarket anti-theft products include gas pedal locks, brake pedal locks, and armor collars that wrap around the steering column and protect the ignition. And for manual shift vehicles, you can also use an aftermarket shifter lock. All of these products are effective but not as visible to prying eyes.
Another thing you can easily do is ask your mechanic to install a hood lock that will prevent easy access to your vehicle’s battery and security system.
A loud vehicle alarm system and a highly visible alarm sticker on the windshield is worth its weight in gold, especially when combined with the addition of some of the other anti-theft security options.
The best vehicle protection is a passive electronic immobilizer that disables the engine when you turn off the ignition. It’s not a cheap device to install, but it’s worth it for your peace of mind. There are other benefits that you can receive when you install an electronic immobilizer in your car. Some auto insurance companies will offer a discount on your policy if you can show documentation that you have installed one. You could also get more money for your vehicle if you decide to sell it in the future.
Last but not least, make sure you have adequate insurance coverage for your vehicle, including theft and damage, before you take your car on vacation.
