How to Prevent Car Theft

1. Where Are Your Keys?

We know, we know. “Who leaves their keys in the car all the time?”

Lots of people, as it turns out.

In our age of keyless fobs, some folks get used to just leaving the starter in their car 24/7, especially if they’re used to a regular ignition-style key. This can be fine if you live way out in the country, but in general, it’s bad practice for a multitude of reasons. If you find yourself having trouble remembering to grab your fob before you go, we recommend using a carabiner or lanyard and wearing it on your person, instead of just throwing it in the cupholder. This can be a great solution for how to prevent car theft at home. Remember, you can never be too careful.

For a quick nitty-gritty on how key fobs work, check this out.

2. Be Careful Where You Park

Parking way at the outskirts of a lot—especially if it’s dark outside or located away from a main road—is another dangerous habit to get into. Most people will at least try to find close parking, but some folks just prefer to park at the very first spot they come across.

Seeing a car off on its lonesome emboldens would-be criminals to break into cars they otherwise wouldn’t. Even if you don’t have your car stolen, you might become a victim of catalytic converter theft.

3. Don’t Leave Valuable Objects Out

As tragic as it is, this problem is especially prevalent around Christmas, when the sun sets early and parking lots stay packed with folks doing last minute shopping. If someone is prowling a parking lot looking for a car to break into and they see a brand-new Xbox in the front seat, it’s game over.

So, how can you deter car thieves? Make sure you’re not leaving smaller valuables, like phones, wallets, or purses out in your car, even if it’s just a quick run into the gas station. If you have to have any larger things like electronics or appliances in the car for longer than a few minutes, bring a large neutral-colored blanket to cover them up with.

4. Be Aware of Your Surroundings

A harsh reality is that some places just aren’t as safe as others. This is why it’s important to be extra careful in any unfamiliar locations. Staying aware of where you park is a good way to prevent car break-ins.

How safe is Kansas City? Well, that depends where you are. We love our city and everyone in it, but unfortunately, KC Metro has been recently ranked as one of the more dangerous cities in the country, so it’s important to stay vigilant.

5. Be Aware of Your Car

Which do you think a criminal would target first: a ’95 Chrysler Sebring or a brand-new GMC Yukon XL?

Trick question—the data says it might not matter as much as you think.

Conventional wisdom often dictates that the nicer the car, the more likely it is to be stolen. There may be a kernel of truth to this, but it’s likely not always the case. In a recent article by Reader’s Digest, they detail the top 10 most stolen car models in 2021, 7 of which are fifteen years or older. This likely has a lot to do with the popularity of the year, make, and model.

Faraday Bag

So-named for 19th century scientist Michael Faraday, these gadgets basically consist of a pouch that’s made of materials that block electromagnetic signals. This effectively stops anyone from committing what’s called a “relay attack,” which is basically a form of keyless car theft.

Because it’s so new, this style of stealing cars appears to be relatively rare compared to the old-fashioned ways. Still, it’s been on the rise in recent years, and every little measure helps. In the near future, these could prove to be one of the best keyless car theft prevention devices.

Steering Wheel Lock

These devices work in a number of ways, and no single one is made equal. Some claim to be “universal,” but more often than not, they’ll tend to play nicer with certain makes or models, so if you do buy one, make sure you do a bit of research.

They work by preventing the wheel from turning properly. Some act as a bar that prevents the wheel from turning, some attach to the brake pedal, and some even cover the entire wheel. They may not be perfect, but they definitely add an important layer of protection. They can also act as a theft deterrent for the car just by sight alone.

Wheel Chock Lock

Instead of installing on your steering wheel, these clamp around the tire and onto the exterior wheel of your car. It basically works like a less heavy-duty version of a parking boot.

They’re not exactly hard for the average person to install, but we wouldn’t really want to try clamping one on in the dead of winter. These devices are probably best left to the more hardcore segments of the crowd.

GPS Tracker

Setting one of these up on your car takes a bit of doing, but could very well be worth it for your peace of mind.

They work just like any GPS tracker—they’re compatible with most, if not all cars, so the only decision you have to make is which one to buy. There are two common kinds.

One hooks into your OBD2 sensor (the little plug-in under the steering wheel, right above where the gas and brake pedals are). These can be quite effective, but they’re pretty conspicuous, and easily spotted by a car thief.

The second is remote, and mounts to multiple potential surfaces, whether it be a magnet on the exterior of the car, or a clip on the interior.

Which Cars Have the Best Theft Deterrent?

In our age of smartphone connectivity, there are tons of newer cars on the market with their own built-in systems to protect the car from theft. Here are a couple of our favorites.

Subaru Starlink

This connectivity feature covers a lot of infotainment features, but one extra cool thing it does is assist drivers who’ve had their cars stolen.

The app will give you a notification if your car has been broken into. Then, you can contact the police, and Starlink will work with them, using built-in GPS tracking to find your vehicle faster. The vehicle can also be remotely immobilized to stop thieves from driving any farther.

Learn more here.

Toyota Connected Services

With Toyota Connect, you can monitor your vehicle’s condition on a number of levels. It alerts you when service is needed, and it can also help in case of vehicle theft.

This service works much like other ones, with built-in phone notifications alerting you to potential theft, which allows you to get ahold of authorities, who can track your car via GPS.

Find out more here.

McCarthy is Here to Help

If you have had your car stolen, don’t despair—the NCIB estimates that, in 2018, nearly 60% of stolen cars were recovered. Those are pretty decent odds!

If you do recover a stolen car, and it has some damage, McCarthy Collision Centers has several locations across the greater Kansas City area. Contact any one of our auto body shops near you, and ask about how you can get a free estimate on body repair today.