We've made it easy for you and have broken theft-deterrents down into two categories: those that are free and those that require cash sacrifice. More importantly, we've covered the pros and cons of the commonly available deterrents and how thieves get around them. Just remember, while there's no way you can stop a determined thief, you can, however, do your best to outfox them. All of the devices and techniques listed here will afford some level of protection, but are most effective when paired with several others. Each one can be defeated, but having to disable one after the other will curb most thieves, and who wouldn't enjoy curbing a thief? And if you do have your car stolen, remember that it's a race against time. The sooner you call the police and have them looking for the car, the less likely it will be to make it to the chop shop.
Free deterrentsDon't leave your car running.This one's a no-brainer. Approximately 20 percent of all cars stolen had the keys in the ignition. If you leave your car running while grabbing a six-pack from the local Quickie mart, you deserve to have it stolen. Use your brain and remove the keys when you exit the car.
Lock those doors.Again, common sense. About half of all cars stolen were unlocked at the time. By simply locking your doors, you can potentially increase your chances of keeping your car by 50 percent. All for free. Roll your windows up ALL THE WAY while your'e at it too-a cracked window is an invitation for a theft.
Ditch the hidden spare keyWhile it's a pain in the ass to be stuck without a spare key, thieves are well aware of the average person's forgetfulness and will exploit it to the fullest, given the chance. No matter how clever you think your "secret" stash is, a professional has seen it all before. Do yourself a favor and keep your keys in your pocket, not in your bumper or fender
Find well-lit, high traffic parking spotsFind yourself parking in out-of-the-way locations to avoid errant doors and shopping carts from trashing your bitchin' paint? If so, you may be increasing your chances of becoming a victim. A car parked in a high-traffic area is less likely to attract the attention of a thief-too many potential witnesses. Protect your paint or lose your car. Choose wisely.
Keep valuables out of sight Ever walk by a car and see something nice through the window and think, "Gee, I wish I had one of those"? Sure you have. A thief will take this one step further and actually MAKE it theirs. Don't be a dumbass-put your valuables in the trunk, or better yet, keep them on you.
Park with wheels facing curbAnd you thought that was only to keep your car from rolling downhill. Parking with the wheels towards the curb and using your parking brake makes it more difficult for low-life scum to tow your car away.
Park in your garageIf you've got one available, use it. Keeping your car out of the sight (and hopefully, the minds) of thieves can go a long way. Don't have a garage? Sucks for you!
Pull a fuseAnother free and effective deterrent involves removing a fuse (ignition, fuel injection, etc.), temporarily disabling the car. Just make sure no one sees what you are doing, lest they may simply replace the fuse. A good idea when parking your car for an extended duration, but a bit cumbersome when running errands.
Install a kill switchA switch that disables the ignition or fuel system is a good way to prevent someone from driving off with your car. The key is to place the switch in a place where only you can find it. Otherwise, what's the point? Oh, don't tell your friends either. "Friends" often have a tendency to "share" such information.
Vin Etching Every car has a unique identifying number. The VIN, or vehicle identification number is each car's fingerprint, and is unique to that car. By permanently engraving this number into each major component, you can discourage many professional thieves, as tagged stolen goods are harder to unload that unmarked ones. Think of this like the ink bombs banks like to load with bags of cash. VIN etching will do little to deter a joy rider, however.
Not-so-free deterrents Steering wheel locksOne of the most prolific theft deterrents on the market, these devices can provide varying levels of protection, depending on design. Older-style steering locks can be defeated by simply cutting the steering wheel or by using any number low-cost devices readily available on the Internet. Many of these gadgets to get around the locks cost less than the deterrents and take seconds to use. Newer-style steering wheel locks have a metal shield that encases the steering wheel and prevents the wheel from being cut, making removal more difficult. However, both types can be removed in seconds by a pro. That fact should be taken with a grain of salt, however, because if there is a similar car in the lot without any type of deterrent, they'll probably just take that one.