4 Tips Car Thieves Don’t Want You to Know  | OK Carz

Car Theft

Tips to Help Prevent Vehicle Theft

It’s estimated that a car is stolen every 43 in the United States, adding up to nearly a million cases of auto theft over the course of a year. Vehicle theft is largely a crime of opportunity, and there are plenty of things you can do to make yourself a less attractive target. Here are our top four most important tips to follow to make sure you’re not the next victim in line.

Other Tips for Effective & Safe Defensive Driving

  •  Park in Well-Lit Areas Think on the bright side – no, literally! Well-lit spaces make criminals anxious due to the heightened risk of being seen by passers-by. As such, dark lots and desolate parking garages are hotspots for auto theft. If you can, we recommend parking your car under a light and in a well-trafficked area. 
  • Make a Habit of Locking Up In populated areas especially, it's critical that you're consistent in your efforts to lock up. When leaving your vehicle unattended for ANY length of time, you should be sure to take your keys with you and lock the doors. If you’re here looking for a way to put your mind at ease when away for longer periods, we highly recommend investing in a theft deterrent such as a steering wheel lock or a brake pedal lock.
  • Leave Windows Tightly Sealed Under the seat-searing heat of the scorching Florida sun, car owners may be tempted to leave a window cracked in order to keep the air circulating while away. As long as there’s enough space to shimmy your fingers through the cranny, thieves will have enough room to pull your window out of its track, slide an arm in, and unlock the doors.
  • Frisk for Secret Keys First things first, you shouldn’t leave your spare key hidden in your vehicle’s cabin. That’s a given. But something you might not know about is valet keys. A valet key is essentially an extra spare key that comes with a vehicle, and it’s possible that you may have one without even knowing. They’re most often found in Audi and BMW models, and if you have one it’ll likely be found tucked into your owner’s manual. In some BMWs, the valet key is located in the tool kit that’s located in the trunk. Seasoned thieves know what cars come with a valet key and where to check, so it’s best you grab it before someone else does.

In the time that it took you to get through this guide, two more cars would have likely been stolen. But with these tips, you can at least make yourself a less likely target. 

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