A man is attempting to rob a parked car
Suspicious activeness around your vehicle should be reported to the government immediately, and you should never confront a potential perpetrator unless information technology's admittedly necessary | Rego Apps via YouTube

Car theft is downwards across the board in America thanks to advancements in engine immobilization and anti-theft deterrents. Citizens have likewise been taking the offensive by being defensive, and many have plant creative means to make our cars and ourselves less likely targets.

But deterring thieves isn't on everyone's listen, especially if they've never had their car cleaved into. Many people feel that only considering they've never had a trouble, there'southward no purpose in worrying.

They may have a point. Unnecessarily worrying about your car isn't going to help matters much. Just then again, neither volition being unprepared. According to the National Highway Traffic Prophylactic Administration, "every 45 seconds a motor vehicle is stolen in the United States." This means that there are over 700,000 reported car thefts annually, with less than half of these resulting in a returned vehicle.

What was in one case a smash-and-grab situation, where a busted slice of quarter glass granted crooks admission to electrical connectors below a steering column, has now turned into a far more refined affair. Shattered glass will non merely sound alarms only it looks suspicious every bit hell while driving, and on certain vehicles will even trigger a complete drivetrain lock-downwards and notify the fuzz. Then forget all the hastily hot-wired scenes from action flicks like Lethal Weapon, because today's tech savvy landscape has sired a fresh breed of automotive thieves, and they aren't e'er after your car.

1. Old schoolhouse equals easy pickings

The FJ Company's Aspen build was one of our favorite finds at the 2022 SEMA show
The FJ Company's Aspen build was ane of our favorite finds at the 2022 SEMA show | Micah Wright/Autos Cheat Canvas

Older cars are typically easier to interruption into and steal. Why is that, you lot ask? Devoid of engine immobilizers, tricky electronic door locks, security systems, and vehicle tracking devices, classic automobiles are an easy target for most car thieves. Add in the fact that parts for certain vintage vehicles are condign increasingly rare, and the appeal of pinching an old Pontiac starts to skyrocket.

2. Monkey meet, monkey want

Leaving items like keys or a tablet out in the open is tempting for car thieves
Leaving items like keys or a tablet out in the open is tempting for automobile thieves | Micah Wright/Autos Cheat Sheet

According to the aforementioned written report from the NHTSA, 40% to 50% of all vehicle related theft is due to owner error. So leaving your automobile unlocked, keys in the ignition, or a window too far downwards is only going to tempt crooks all the more. Removing valuables from evidently sight volition make a huge difference, seeing equally smash-and-take hold of burglars are only interested in what can be easily stolen.

3. Loftier tech hackers have arrived

Engine immobilizers, on-board vehicle recovery devices, and sophisticated alarm systems have become standard fare in many automobiles in gild to reduce the number of car break-ins. Unfortunately, thieves take also become increasingly tech savvy, finding a plethora of fresh ways in which to go into our cars.

Forget beast strength. Modernistic solar day carjackers arm themselves with laptops and electronic gizmos to access our automobiles. All they have to do is send out a bespeak to someone'southward parked automobile, and it will search for their keys.

If a connection tin can exist made, the thieves volition then funnel a stream of admission codes wirelessly to the automobile'southward estimator until one of them pops the locks. From at that place, it'south off to figuring out what lawmaking is needed to engage the button-button ignition. To exercise that, all that'due south required is a single preprogrammed blank key play a trick on.

4. An 'alarming' security checklist

A car alarm from a trusted brand like Viper could make a difference between being a victim and being safe
A car alarm from a trusted brand like Viper could make a deviation between existence a victim and existence safe | Viper via Facebook

Since most standard auto alarms don't protect you from every kind of burglary threat out there, information technology might exist a wise decision to look at aftermarket alternatives for added security. Technology specialist Crutchfield lists a few key things when looking for the perfect automotive protection. Here are a few of our favorites:

  • Two-way remotes are the way to go. They give you feedback on your car's condition and respond to remote commands.
  • Motion sensor alarms let you to leave a convertible'south top downward or the windows open up, and are ideal for protecting cargo areas in vans and trucks.
  • Glass-break sensors appoint when they "hear" a window getting smashed, dissimilar stock auto alarms, which ofttimes rely upon a door being opened.
  • Look for a security system with "tilt sensor monitors." They will detect if a parked car is experiencing beingness moved, thus disappointment any attempt to jack up or tow it.
  • GPS syncing tin can rail a vehicle'due south location, and it tin send alerts to your phone when it leaves or enters a preprogrammed surface area. It tin can also let yous know if information technology'southward traveling too fast. This is an invaluable asset to have if you want to recover a stolen automobile.

5. Park at your own peril

This is a perfect example of how not to parallel park your car
This is a perfect example of how not to parallel park your machine | Micah Wright/Autos Cheat Canvass

The most likely places for a car to be broken into are typically those where mutual sense tells you non to park. Unlit side alleys, shady parking garages, and unmonitored inner-metropolis areas are all prime real estate for car thieves. Every bit a precaution, acquire to avert these areas, and ever look for well-lit spots that have modern camera monitoring systems.

6. Valuables aren't but material anymore

The inside of the Audi A4
By accessing your car'southward infotainment system, thieves can glean all sorts of sensitive data | Micah Wright/Autos Cheat Canvas

There'due south a new identity theft crisis taking place, and information technology has everything to do with your car's system. Car thieves are finding ways to gain access to infotainment systems in the dashboards of our cars, which once synced to a smartphone becomes a treasure trove full of sensitive information.

Addresses, cyberbanking data, contacts, and previous destinations tin can all exist accessed if you forget to turn off the Bluetooth setting on your phone. Thieves at present take the power to hack your car, steal your identity, and slink away without ever being detected, all while you are fast sleep. Fifty-fifty though automakers are doing their best to overcome car hackers, leave it to applied science fanatics to discover a way around them.

7. Got reinforced window moving-picture show?

Information technology typically takes less than 3 seconds for a criminal to smash a window and snag a purse. According to 3M'due south website, its Scotchshield Security Series of protective window films makes things a lot tougher for lawbreakers. And its demonstration video does a damn good job of proving this betoken.

This revolutionary window film utilizes non-metallized, tear-resistant film for superior performance over the standard polyester stuff in both blast and impact situations. Designed to serve as an "enhanced protection of people, holding, and possessions," 3M's latest security films tin can be had in clear form or in a variety of different tint shades. As an additional perk, they also come with a limited lifetime warranty.

8. It's your wheels they want

Racing wheels and brakes lay on the street during the 2022 One Lap of America Race
Racing wheels and brakes lay on the street during the 2022 Ane Lap of America Race | Micah Wright/Autos Cheat

Sometimes a stolen machine or swiping its belongings isn't what criminals are later on. Aftermarket wheels and high operation tires are a hot commodity, so if it only takes a few minutes to jack up a vehicle and remove its rollers, chances are someone is going to brand an attempt.

Just don't worry. If you accept a set of loftier dollar aftermarket alloys and some sticky performance tires on your ride, just refer to number four on this listing and go an alarm that senses tilt motions. A set of forged, locking lug nuts with a custom central wouldn't be a bad thought either.

nine. Sometimes at that place is no rhyme or reason

A crime scene in Los Angeles, California
Police and investigators investigate a crime scene in Los Angeles, California | Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images

People complain about their cars getting broken into, even when at that place's nothing of value to exist stolen. It'due south of import to remember, though, that theft isn't e'er the objective.

Sometimes it'south a agglomeration of kids who are having a blast bashing in windows with bats, other times it'south a boozer who tin't figure out why his keys won't unlock the incorrect automobile. Whatever the reason, it isn't always theft that prompts a pause-in, simply rather a misunderstanding or vandalism instead.

10. Your car may non exist what they're after

A neighborhood with upper middle class houses in Louisville, Kentucky
A neighborhood with upper heart grade houses in Louisville, Kentucky | iStock.com/jnatkin

In sure situations, a vehicle can serve every bit a springboard from which the infiltrator uses to propel themselves into your living room. Gaining access to someone's home or office gives thieves a world of opportunity that an auto could never provide. All a thief needs is a spare house key in the glove box, or a cardinal fob in the heart console, to have unlimited access to everything you concord beloved. And if they're feeling particularly greedy, in the terminate, they might get for your automobile, also. Afterwards all, every thief needs a getaway car.