A car thief can steal any car, with any protection and signaling, and even with people inside the cabin. Modern theft protection systems easily hack Pandora, even with the highest level of security. A few moments and the partner’s help are enough for the theft who only needs to walk face-to-face with the unsuspecting car owner who parked the vehicle. How to protect a vehicle from theft, and what do experts offer for protection today?
The topic of safety is especially relevant for E-class cars with all the perfections offered by world manufacturers. This foreign car can cost more than a million, and it is often protected as the “apple of the eye” by a real escort of bodyguards. Lexus, Jeep, Toyota, Audi, BMW, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, and Range Rover are among the most popular cars for theft. The thief also likes Porsches and Lamborghinis, but they are more noticeable on Ukrainian roads than on high-speed motorways in Western Europe.
Ways to Protect the Car from Theft
We will leave different types of “author’s” protection to professionals, as it is a “secret behind seven seals,” and no one will instruct people who are not clients in these details. But thieves often steal cheap cars they can quickly sell and find a solvent buyer.
Usually, thieves pay attention to brands in high demand, so experts recommend not choosing them for purchase. It is better to buy a car that does not attract the attention of lovers of easy profit. The second protection criterion concerns the absence of conditions for the disassembly spare parts. They are in great demand in the automotive market.
Therefore, thieves steal cars to obtain the necessary parts, body, engine, and chassis. The choice of solid structures that cannot be disassembled is of little interest to them. From this point of view, owners of Jeep, Fiat, Dodge, Volvo, Suzuki, Renault, Peugeot, and Citroen win.
Technical Means of Protection
According to experts, an expensive alarm system is the most effective theft protection. However, motorists often use the regular system, which is well-known to thieves. It is turned off in a few seconds, even by a non-professional car thief. Instead, it is recommended to install an expensive car alarm, supplementing it with unique upgrades and mechanical protection:
- Car alarms include protection systems of world-famous brands – Pandora, SCHer Khan, Starline, and others. Be careful and avoid a Russian manufacturer. It is a taboo for everyone and not only in Ukraine.
Modern signaling is controlled from an iPhone or smartphone, with feedback and multiple control zones, including engine pre-heating and wheel function, GSM cellular module, markers, labels, and various secrets. - GPS trackers and beacons. They also allow you to remotely monitor the vehicle and determine its location and general condition. The system is equipped with cryptographic protection of the radio signal, which prevents scanning due to a floating code with interactive dynamic encryption.
The protection is based on several types of sensors that respond to striking or movement in the cabin, changing the inclination angle. System management and online monitoring are carried out using GPS, GSM, and Bluetooth. - Standard immobilizers with secrets are placed in different places in the cabin, which prevents manual shutdown. The IMMO anti-theft module can block the engine and turn on the car’s ignition.
In addition, experts recommend to beware of keyless access using the so-called smart key. It can be easily hacked with a code-grabberю Thieves quickly learned to use this decryptor.
Mechanical Protection
Lockers for the steering wheel, brakes, pedals, and gearbox complement the car alarm system. This is adequate mechanical car theft protection with an impressive appearance. The thief can notice it even during an external examination and has no desire to steal the car.
Mechanical protection complicates the opening of electronic alarms even more. For this purpose, you can use a longer authorization key, which complicates scanning, making it impossible to set a signal. The thief cannot copy it when parking the car to open the interior after the owner has gone to the shopping center. Such methods are the most popular:
- Hood lock. It is also important not to forget to close the door even in a hurry, which will prevent car loss. If in Europe this is considered normal, then in Ukraine, it is better to be careful with it.
- Steering wheel lock. An exciting solution can be mechanical protection installed on the steering wheel and torpedo. The fact is that it is still visible on the way to the car. It can keep it intact and safe. Different types of mechanical protection are offered to block the steering wheel and pedals, even if the thief opened the cabin and hacked the alarm system.
- Gearbox lock. A separate key is also used to lock the gearbox, but it can also be opened with a regular screwdriver. The unique locking of the gearbox and the hood with a complex lock and keys can scare away thieves.
- Door lock. Leaving the car, even for a short time, you should protect yourself from unpleasant consequences and install the door security system on the block. Check that all windows in the cabin are tightly closed – this is an important rule to protect from fire. Just one cigarette thrown into the car cabin can cause a fire.
An important measure of protection is keeping your сar in the garage, which completely blocks it from view and protects it from potential dangers. Breaking into a garage makes a lot of noise, which attracts attention and requires more effort than breaking into a car on the street parking.
Additional Measures
Insurance and caution are also considered effective protection measures:
- CASCO, with the risk of “theft,” is not cheap, but all costs will pay off many times over if the car is stolen. This item can be included in the tariff plan for obtaining insurance at a bank or insurance company.
- Proper parking in a well-lit area also reduces the chances of theft. It is better to park the car overnight in a paid parking lot behind a high fence with video cameras around the perimeter.
Thus, the optimal set of measures to protect a car from theft includes an expensive electronic system complete with several types of mechanical protection. In addition, there is no need to create temptation for the thief and leave the car in an accessible place. Placing it overnight in a paid parking lot with a well-lit area or a garage is better.
Add elements of airbrushing, unique tuning that distinguishes your car, and corporate signs, like on the Megatrans cars, and it will make theft, sale, and transportation much more difficult.
