How to prevent car theft

Modern cars impress with their technological bells and whistles. Then, along with the development of their equipment and functionality, the car theft systems are improved too. It is interesting to note, that, ADAC  —  the society of motorists in Germany — selected 24 cars from B to F class, and tried to break up them. All cars that have been tasted fall the “exam”, except the BMW i3, which could not be opened, but was managed to start the engine. This article will focus on how to prevent car theft, and the top-list of devices and tricks that will allow you to protect the vehicle.   

How to protect your car from theft

The first officially documented car theft occurred in 1896 in Paris, France. Baron de Zuylen, one of the founders of the Automobile Club of France, had his Peugeot stolen by his mechanic. However, since that times today, there are numerous car theft protection recommendations and tools. We will mention several methods and types of anti-theft systems in this block.

Before we delve further into this topic, we note that the easiest thing you can do is to obey the rules of basic security. Always close doors and windows, check if all doors are closed. Do not leave the keys, or other valuables in the car, they also can be stolen by breaking the window. These are the first steps of how to prevent your car from being stolen.

Types of Anti-Theft Systems

There are lock or steering wheel locking mechanisms. Some systems disable ignition that prevent the vehicle from starting. Some manufacturers offer cars that send a signal that can track the car. What is the best way for you to prevent car theft, it's up to you.

TOP 9 anti-theft devices

1. Switch your coil wire with one of your spark plugs wires, your engine wouldn’t run. Also, if the thief tries to start such a car, and he will do it without any check, the engine will backfire and make a terrible noise. It will pay attention to the rounders on the car.

2. A steering wheel lock. Allows you to lock the steering wheel, easy to install. One of the widespread vehicle theft protection.

3. Gearbox or pedal lock. The mechanical gearbox unit is also an effective method, but pricier than the previous one. The design is compact and is installed by a sub-coating of the gearbox, that is, the mechanism is “sewn”. Installation of the gearbox blocker is very difficult, and it must be carried out only by specialists.

4. Disconnect one of the battery cables. Unscrew the handle from this device, and this will disconnect the car battery.

5. Tire lock. The method for those who leave the car for a long time. The construction is heavy and requires complex installation.

6. The fuel line shut-off valve is installed under the hood. By turning the knob, you can turn off the fuel line. (also known as. fuel cutoff switch).

7. Nanny Cam for cars. You will hear extraneous noises and see what is happening in your car, even at night.

8. Kill Switch. The principle of operation is similar to the fuel line shut-off valve, the difference in the device and the installation elements.

9. Electronic tracker. It is one more anti car theft solution, that actually will not protect your car from driving away, but it will track the route of its movement. It is better to install as the additional tool.

Types of auto theft and car theft prevention tips

Keyless entry. The principle of operation is that the electronics of your car recognizes the code of the smart key and makes the exchange of the cipher, thus removing or installing the alarm. Such scheme of the car stolen, usually, carried out by two people. There is one car-thief in the parking lot, and one near you (most often this method of theft is used in car parks near shopping centers). With the help of a special device, transponder, a radio signal from the regular “key” is transmitted to the parking area, and the car recognizes the attacker as the owner.

How to prevent vehicle theft? A solution that suits you in this situation is the improvement or replacement of the firmware that wouldn’t be recognized by the retransmission transponder. The main problem, in this case, is to find a specialist who can provide a quality service. Moreover, in some cases, the firmware replacement can limit or may even remove the warranty conditions. There is a second way to block the signal, which is effective, but absolutely not convenient for the owner. To accomplish this, the folding key must be hidden under a metallic foil screen. To put it, simply wrap it in foil. It is more optimal to use physical anti-theft means.

Electric car. If you have a smart car, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be stolen. As always, before driving your car away, the thief has two tasks -is two tasks — to open the car and start the engine. Smart cars can be hacked, although the thief will need a little more time and knowledge to use special devices.    These devices, via connection to the on-Board computer or CAN-bus, allow you to bypass the included immobilizer or duplicate the pre-installed modules. 

Prevent car from being stolen. Set the car alarm with a dialogue code and an additional label, the run of which is based on an algorithm besides the standard system.

Through Service Station or points of sale. There are cases when the key to your car, the hijacker receives from the staff of the service station or car wash. It is possible to get on such a “service” if you don't approach the choice of repair attendance carefully and scrupulously. It is better to avoid “garage” masters. About the service center of car maintenance, we wrote here: "the Criteria for choosing a quality service station. When you buy a car, the idea is the same. Thief gets a pre-codes, algorithms, tags and key. If you do not trust for some reason the dealer from whom you buy the car, set up all the devices and reprogram them yourself or in high-quality anti-theft services.

The person who sells the car also can be remained deceived, especially when selling used cars. Wanting sell an old car as quickly as possible, you lose vigilance that can take advantage of the hijacker.

How to prevent? Choose the station carefully. Perhaps the desire to save on repairs will deprive you of its need at all. When selling a car, do not leave a potential buyer with the keys alone.

Provocation. Another old way of vehicle theft scheme, is when culprits distract the driver, and hijack the car. For example, as either obstructing the view or creating noise. In such cases, the hijacker attaches noisy bottles to the wheel arch, fold mirrors near the passenger seat. As a result, you get out of the car “for a second” without turning off the engine.

Rarely, but it happens, thieves provoke the driver to get out of the car. For example, having arranged a road accident or other. How to prevent? Turn off the engine and close the doors before leaving the car for at least a couple of seconds. 

Most Stolen Cars in 2024

United States

Based on data available through most of 2024, the most commonly stolen vehicles in the US were:

1. Honda Civic (especially older models)
2. Honda Accord
3. Ford F-Series pickup trucks
4. Chevrolet Silverado pickups
5. Toyota Camry
6. Hyundai and Kia models (particularly those without engine immobilizers)

Europe

For Europe, the most commonly stolen vehicles through 2024 included:

1. Range Rover/Land Rover models
2. BMW X5 and X6
3. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
4. Volkswagen Golf
5. Toyota RAV4
6. Audi A4 and Q models

The most effective protection combines multiple approaches:

• Basic security practices like locking doors and removing valuables
• Mechanical deterrents such as steering wheel locks and pedal locks
• Electronic systems including kill switches and GPS trackers
• Smart practices when using service stations or selling vehicles

As vehicle technology advances, so do theft techniques. The most commonly targeted vehicles in 2024 include Honda Civics and Accords in the US, while European thieves favour luxury models like Range Rovers and BMW X-series.