While not foolproof, anti-theft devices can stop the amateur thief and slow down the professional. The longer it takes to steal a car, the more attention the thief attracts, and the more likely the thief will look elsewhere.
All vehicle theft prevention equipment helps deter criminals. Many anti-theft devices are also effective in protecting your vehicle from burglaries and vandalism. Consider adding some or all of the anti-theft devices listed below to help protect your vehicle.
VIN Etch
This is chemically etching the vehicle identification number onto the window as well as other parts of a car. VIN etching effectively discourages thieves from taking your vehicle. How? Chop shop rings thrive on vehicles that have easily removable VINs or none etched on at all. By etching the VIN on important parts of the vehicle, you make your vehicle less attractive to thieves.
VIN etching also aids in recovering a vehicle in the event that it's stolen. VIN etching is an inexpensive means of protection.
According to some Insurance companies, most parts on a vehicle have at least a partial VIN stamped onto them, and many auto parts buyers will not buy parts that have identification numbers. Should a thief try to sell the parts from a vehicle for profit, those stamped parts carry a higher risk for both the thief and the auto parts seller. Since the glass has no identification number, and is often readily interchangeable with many different years and models of vehicle, there is often a much greater profit for the thief compared to other components on the vehicle.
Thieves would need to replace the glass before selling the stolen vehicle, thus reducing or eliminating their profit.
VIN etching can increase the odds of recovery of car by police.
Kill Switch
A hidden switch that needs to be flipped on for the car to start. Kill switches can be set up to prevent the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine until the switch is activated.
Relative to their effectiveness as a security device, kill switches are typically inexpensive and easy to install. The trick is hiding the switch well. Keypads, pressure pads and more expensive "Immobilizers" and "Passkeys" can also be used.
Check your warranty before installing a kill switch. Some warranties prohibit installation of these devices, and doing so will nullify the warranty. At $5-$50, Kill switches are also an inexpensive way to foil would-be car thieves.
Tyre/Wheel Locks
These are similar to the circular steel "boots" used by many police departments, and make the car nearly impossible to move. They can cost from $50-$200, are a strong visual deterrent, and greatly hamper thieves looking to make a quick getaway.
Steering Column Armored Collars
A metal shield that prevents thieves from breaking into the steering column to hot-wire the vehicle. Some are installed permanently and others must be installed manually each time the driver leaves the vehicle. $100-$200 installed.
Alarms
One of the best-known car security devices, alarm systems make loud warning sounds when a car's doors, hood, or trunk are opened. The typical car alarm is equipped with motion sensors, impact sensors and a loud siren or series of tones in the 120-decibel range. Panic buttons, back-up batteries, flashing parking lights or headlights, and automatic engine-disable features are also popular options. Depending upon an alarm system's features, they can cost anywhere from $50-$500.
Tip: Consider a backup power source for the alarm, as professionals could deactivate the alarm if they get to the power source.
Electronic Keys
Pre-installed electronic anti-theft systems that allow the vehicle to operate only with a correctly coded key. The systems are virtually invisible to thieves, easy to use, reliable, and come standard in some models.
Electronic Tracking Devices
An electronic transmitter hidden in the vehicle which emits a signal that is picked up by the police or a monitoring station. There are a variety of services offered by each company, such as mapping services and vehicle-location if your car is stolen.
Floorboard/Crook Locks
Locking metal device that disables the gas or brake pedal.
Gearshift Locks
Disables shifting of the transmission.
Theft-Deterrent Decals
An inexpensive ($2-$5) way to fool a car thief, the typical decal identifies the vehicle as being protected by either an alarm system or national theft prevention company.
Hood Locks
Prevents the thief from gaining access to the engine compartment.