| | | | | VIN number etched onto the windows. Mark your |
| Make sure your car is locked and your windows | | | | stereo and anything else in the vehicle with the |
| wound up. | | | | number as well. |
| This sounds ridiculously obvious but make sure | | | | None of these measures on their own will protect |
| you secure your car carefully wherever you are | | | | your car if a thief takes a shine to it. But if |
| parked. Research shows loads of people leave | | | | they’re just strolling along a line of cars |
| their doors unlocked and/or their windows open a | | | | looking for a bit of fun or something to sell if your |
| large proportion of the time. | | | | car looks secure and empty they’re much |
| | | | | more likely to go to the next one and leave |
| Check all your entry points are secure – are | | | | yours alone. |
| all the doors locked, the trunk locked and the | | | | |
| sunroof locked? If not a thief will be quick to take | | | | Don’t register your car to your home |
| advantage of the opportunity. | | | | address. |
| | | | | In many countries car registration details are |
| Make sure your windows are wound all the way | | | | easily accessed by the public. If a thief likes the |
| up. Even if you leave a small gap a thief can easily | | | | look of your car all they have to do is take the |
| force it down to either access the door lock or | | | | registration number, find out where you live and |
| break the window. | | | | come shopping. This I especially important if you a |
| | | | | female living alone. Don’t make it easy for the |
| Keep your keys safe – even when you are | | | | freaks to find you! |
| at home. | | | | |
| Today with factory and after market alarms | | | | Don’t leave your keys in an obvious place. |
| getting smarter it is becoming harder for a thief | | | | Do you walk in the front door and throw your |
| to quickly and easily hotwire your car. That has | | | | keys on the side table? Alarms and immobilizers |
| led to a surge in home break-ins purely so thieves | | | | are so good now thieves will often break into |
| can steal the car keys. Then they simply come | | | | your house to get the keys and remote rather |
| back later and drive off with the car. | | | | than try to bypass the system. Don’t leave |
| | | | | them somewhere they can be spotted from |
| So, while you’re at home keep your keys | | | | outside or where someone can open a door or |
| safe. Don’t leave them in the car, in your | | | | window and grab them. |
| handbag, or sitting on an entrance table or bench | | | | |
| in the house. Secure them in a drawer or | | | | Look after spare remotes. |
| somewhere safe that is out of sight. | | | | Rolling code remotes will get out of sequence if |
| | | | | the button is pushed too many times while out o |
| Don’t ever leave the keys in the car. | | | | range of the car. Make sure spare remotes are |
| It sounds simple enough but is still a common | | | | not in a draw full of junk where the button can |
| mistake people make. Never leave your keys in | | | | be held down or it may not work when you need |
| the car, even if you’re only leaving the car | | | | it. |
| for a few seconds. It takes even less than that | | | | |
| for a thief to grab the opportunity and drive off | | | | Lost your remote? Delete it! |
| with the car. | | | | If you have lost a remote of had it stolen make |
| | | | | sure you delete it from the alarms memory |
| Here’s a few scenarios that catch people out: | | | | otherwise anyone can use it to access your car. |
| | | | | If you don’t know how take the car to your |
| Don’t leave your keys in the car while you | | | | local installer. |
| pay for your petrol at the garage. This used to | | | | |
| be the cause of a huge number of thefts and | | | | Always have a spare remote. |
| even with modern day alarms that immobilize | | | | Some alarm system will not let you easily learn a |
| your car (this was a big reason immobilization | | | | new remote in with a working remote. It may |
| became important) if you leave the keys in there | | | | have to be sent back to the manufacturer to be |
| the alarm can’t do anything to protect your | | | | reset and a remote learnt in which will not only be |
| car. | | | | expensive but you may be without your alarm |
| | | | | for up to a week. If you lose a remote replace it |
| Don’t leave your keys in the car when | | | | immediately. |
| you’re not at home (or even when | | | | |
| you’re at home.) If a thief breaks into your | | | | Bought a used car with an alarm in it? Get it |
| house and your car is nicely sitting there all open | | | | checked and serviced. |
| with the keys in the ignition you’ve just given | | | | If you buy a car with an alarm already fitted |
| them the best Christmas present – a way to | | | | there are several things to be aware of: |
| take as much of your stuff as they can fit in the | | | | 1. Did you receive all keys, remotes |
| car AND the car itself. | | | | and override keys? If not the old owner can |
| | | | | access your car anytime they want. |
| Don’t go back into the house during winter | | | | 2. Book the car in with your local |
| while you let the car warm up. Yes, we | | | | dealer/installer for the type of alarm in the car. |
| understand it is freezing cold but thieves take | | | | Have them check everything is working, delete all |
| advantage of this time of the year. And don’t | | | | old remotes (and add a spare if you don’t |
| leave the car running but lock it with the spare | | | | have one) and reset the PIN override code so |
| key – a thief is most certainly going to forgo | | | | you know you’ll be secure. Make sure you |
| the cost of replacing the window to smash it | | | | have override keys for the battery backup siren |
| when they’ll have possession of your car. Put | | | | if fitted. |
| your coat, gloves and scarf on and stay with the | | | | |
| car! | | | | Factory remotes and immobiliser keys. |
| | | | | Most late model cars come with a transponder |
| Be careful where you choose to park – even | | | | immobilizer built into the key. This I like an |
| if you have an alarm | | | | electronic pass key which confirms the key is |
| Always make the choice to park in a secured | | | | valid before allowing the car to so start. These |
| area whenever possible – it’s worth the | | | | are great as they make it much harder to copy a |
| extra money – both for your own personal | | | | key and steal the car as even a key cut the |
| safety as well as your car’s. | | | | same will not start the car unless a new |
| | | | | transponder is learned into the system. The are |
| Another tip – take your parking ticket with | | | | however some points to be aware of: |
| you when you leave the car. That way, even if a | | | | Some make have a master and slave keys for |
| thief gains entry into your car if they have to | | | | each car. If you lose the slave key, no problem |
| front up for a lost ticket they’ll be getting | | | | just take the car and master key into your dealer |
| themselves noticed even if they do have the | | | | and have a new key learns in for a couple of |
| cash (which they probably won’t). | | | | hundred bucks. If however you lose the master |
| | | | | key you will sometimes need to replace the cars |
| If you have to park on the street make sure you | | | | computer, think thousands of $$$$$. Read your |
| park in the most well lit, busy area possible. | | | | manual or check with your dealer as it is not |
| | | | | widely publicized. |
| Be particularly careful if you are attending an | | | | |
| event such as a football match or concert | | | | Smash resistant window film. |
| because lines of cars outside an arena is a dead | | | | Alarms can only do so much. These days you |
| giveaway to thieves that you’re going to be | | | | need to make the car more difficult to access |
| away from your car for a set period of time. | | | | through it’s weakest point –the side glass. |
| Never leave ticket or event information in the car | | | | Clear or tinted security film (not normal tint film) is |
| that would indicate to a thief how long you’ll | | | | applied to the inside of the side glass and cover |
| be gone. | | | | right to the edge of the glass. Security film is a |
| | | | | multi layered, up to several millimetres thick, cross |
| And if you do have an alarm fitted it doesn’t | | | | laminated product specifically designed to resist |
| mean you can park down a dark alley on a | | | | impacts. |
| deserted street in the middle of nowhere and | | | | |
| expect your car to still be there when you get | | | | The film works by creating a thick shell on the |
| back. All an alarm can do is make a noise if a thief | | | | inside of the glass. When an intruder smashes the |
| attacks it – which still means someone needs | | | | glass the concaved shape of the cars side |
| to be there to hear it. And while an alarm will slow | | | | window held together by the film creates an arch |
| a thief down, given time and isolation they’ll | | | | shape than is very strong. The shattered pieces |
| either take the car, tow it, or strip all the good | | | | of glass cannot be compressed so the window |
| bits off. | | | | retains it’s shape. |
| | | | | |
| And if you don’t have a garage make sure | | | | This type of product is great for resisting a car |
| you park with awareness at home – | | | | thief but also protects you in a road range or car |
| whenever possible park off the road and under a | | | | jacking attempt and even reduces flying glass in |
| porch or house light that is left on (or comes on | | | | the event of an accident. A great compliment to |
| when movement is triggered.) If you have a high | | | | a good car alarm system. |
| risk car try and park it closer to the house than a | | | | |
| less valuable vehicle – that way a thief will | | | | Fit after market dead locks. |
| have to try and get the other cars out of the | | | | Much the same as the security film above, dead |
| driveway first if he wants the one closest to the | | | | locks are a great compliment to a good alarm |
| house. | | | | system. The idea is once activated the locks |
| | | | | cannot be unlocked from the inside of the car or |
| Some alarms today have a programmable | | | | by forcing the key barrel. Some cars come |
| feature that will turn the interior light of the car | | | | standard now with deadlocking, if yours does |
| on when the alarm is disarmed – that way | | | | make sure you know how to activate it. |
| you can check that the cabin of the car is safe | | | | |
| before nearing the vehicle. Ask your alarm retailer | | | | After market deadlocks will usually replace the |
| about what models are available that will do this. | | | | lock barrel in the door. The dead lock barrel has a |
| | | | | high security rounded key to prevent the lock |
| Don’t leave ANYTHING visible in the car – | | | | being forced and the backing plate is much |
| even with an alarm | | | | stronger meaning the lock can’t be pulled out. |
| So many more cars are broken into rather than | | | | We always recommend using epoxy to secure |
| stolen (especially with the good factory and after | | | | the backing plate to the inside of the door. That |
| market immobilizer alarms available now) and | | | | way it will not come out! |
| that’s because people continue to leave items | | | | |
| in the car. Simply DO NOT leave ANYTHING | | | | If a thief breaks a window they will not be able to |
| visible in the car. | | | | unlock the door to gain easy access. Making by |
| | | | | passing the alarm system or hotwiring you car |
| If you leave your radar detector attached to the | | | | even harder. |
| windscreen, your cellphone in the front console, or | | | | |
| your handbag on the seat then do not expect | | | | Tips and tricks for the more serious: |
| sympathy when it gets stolen. An alarm will not, | | | | |
| ever, protect from a smash and grab. It takes a | | | | The more serious you get about car security and |
| thief 5 seconds to smash the glass, grab the | | | | car alarms you will often be trading convenience |
| item, and be around the corner. Even with your | | | | for security. Some of these tricks can cause |
| alarm sounding he’s gone. | | | | some inconvenience if something goes wrong (like |
| | | | | you lose a remote or the battery goes flat) but |
| And it’s not just valuable items – | | | | all will help keep your car safe. |
| don’t leave empty gearbags, shoeboxes, | | | | |
| shopping bags or anything in the vehicle. If your | | | | Fit two hood switches. –Low Risk |
| stereo has a removable faceplate get yourself | | | | Fitting two hood switches makes it harder for a |
| into the habit of taking it off every time you | | | | thief to use a credit card to hold down the hood |
| leave the car. If a thief sees there might be | | | | switch or cut the switch wires. Some cars can be |
| something in there chances are he’ll take the | | | | pretty easy to get under the hood by removing |
| risk and leave you with the cost and hassle of | | | | the front grill or a side light and pulling the release |
| replacing window glass and door locks. | | | | cable. Once they are under there they can disable |
| | | | | the siren before entering the cabin. |
| | | | | |
| - If you have a garage – use it and secure it. | | | | Move hood release lever. –Low Risk |
| - If you have a garage to park in, that’s | | | | Another hood trick is to move the hood release |
| great. But make sure you’re following all the | | | | lever from it’s normal location so if some one |
| other steps: | | | | breaks in they can’t easily pop the hood to |
| - Lock the car and arm the alarm if you have | | | | disable the siren. |
| one, even when you’re at home. | | | | |
| - Never leave the keys in the car, even when | | | | Remove door lock rods. –High Risk of lock out |
| you’re at home. | | | | By removing the linkage between the key barrel |
| - Keep the keys in a safe, hidden place, even | | | | on the door and the latch you take away one of |
| when you’re at home. | | | | the cars security weaknesses. Lock barrels are an |
| - Keep the garage locked and secure. | | | | easy access point to the car as a screw driver |
| - If you have an electric garage door it can be a | | | | forced into the lock and twisted will often unlock |
| good idea to remove the emergency pull handle | | | | the door. |
| and hide it away. Thieves will often use a coat | | | | |
| hanger contraption to pull this and open the | | | | As you will be relying on the car alarm to lock and |
| garage. | | | | unlock the door it is VERY important you take |
| | | | | some safety precautions to avoid being locked |
| | | | | out. |
| | | | | |
| Fit an alarm with immobilizers. | | | | First, make sure you always have a spare |
| Today there are so many excellent alarms on the | | | | remote for your alarm in case you lose one. If |
| market that will give you loads of handy features | | | | the remote starts playing up at all, replace it |
| (such as central locking from the remote) as well | | | | immediately. |
| as protecting the car. Always choose an alarm | | | | |
| with a minimum of a single immobilizer so the car | | | | Second, ensure there is another way into the |
| cannot be started until the alarm is disarmed via | | | | vehicle, maybe you can open the trunk and fold |
| the remote. | | | | the seat back from inside the trunk? Remember |
| | | | | a thief can also use this access method so think |
| If you already have an alarm and want to try | | | | carefully about how obvious it is. Or run an |
| fitting it yourself you can download our How to | | | | emergency power wire from the battery to |
| Install Your Car Alarm ebook for only $19.95 by | | | | somewhere you can access it from outside. If |
| visiting | | | | your battery goes flat and the alarm cannot |
| | | | | unlock the door you won’t be able to get |
| Be aware of what might tempt a thief and | | | | under the hood to jump the battery. With an |
| secure it. | | | | emergency wire you can hook another battery |
| You can add all sorts of additional security | | | | up to give enough juice to unlock the car. |
| features to alarms today including GPS tracking, | | | | |
| pager systems and additional sensors and sirens. | | | | A further step with this trick is to completely |
| | | | | remove the lock barrel and have the hole welded |
| And don’t forget the easy stuff. If you have | | | | up and repainted. Gives a super smooth look! |
| wheels fit a tilt sensor and get a set of lock nuts. | | | | |
| Get a steering wheel lock as well as an alarm | | | | Fit latch protection plates –High risk of lock |
| – it gives the thief a clear visual warning that | | | | out |
| there are security measures in place. | | | | To remove yet another weakness in some door |
| | | | | lock systems make up a cover to stop a "slim |
| Make your car look protected. | | | | jim" being slipped down the inside of the door |
| A huge part of the job an alarm does is to give a | | | | popping the latch. |
| visual warning to a thief that the car has security | | | | |
| measures. Make sure you put the alarm warning | | | | If you take off the interior door panel you will see |
| stickers on the window and the LED warning light | | | | how easy it is to pop the lock mechanism on the |
| in the dash is fitted. (And if you don’t want to | | | | door latch, unlocking the door. By making up a |
| get an alarm you can buy these little extras | | | | protection plate covering the latch from the top |
| separately.) | | | | the car thief won’t be able to slim jim the |
| Use a steering wheel lock. Don’t leave | | | | lock. Just remember, if you lose your keys or |
| anything visible in the car. Take your stereo plate | | | | remote or get a flat battery the AAA won’t |
| with you. Have your vehicle rego number or the | | | | be able to either! |