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GPS Car Trackers and 5 More Surefire Ways to Improve Your Vehicle’s Security
You spend quite a bit of money on your car. Not only the payments on the vehicle, but also your insurance, fuel, etc.– cars are a big investment. You don’t mind paying for those things because you need the vehicle to get to and from work, to pick up the kids, run errands, and get out of the house and just take a drive sometimes. However, just because you have insurance does not mean that your vehicle is safe.
Cars and trucks are broken into and stolen with an alarming frequency, so you need to be sure that your vehicle is as safe as possible. Below are some of the best ways to help improve your vehicle’s security.
Keep in mind that if you want to provide your vehicle with the best possible security, you can’t choose just one or two of the tips on this list. Instead, you will want to use all of them in conjunction. This will provide far more security for your vehicle, making it a veritable fortress.
Use a Car Alarm
Car alarms tend to be the first thing many people consider when they want to improve their car’s security. Unfortunately, using a car alarm on its own is the wrong answer today. While they can keep some thieves at bay, many don’t worry about the alarms. They know that people tend not to even look out the window or across the parking lot when they hear an alarm going off. It doesn’t matter if it is the middle of the night or in broad daylight.
However, an alarm is still a line of defense that you will likely want to have. It will slow down some thieves, and it will deter others. Yet, it’s just one defensive item that you will need to have in your arsenal to assure your car’s safety.
Park in a Safe Location
Where you park plays a role in the safety of your vehicle. If you are parking in a location without any lightning and that’s far away from other people and vehicles, it automatically becomes a more attractive target to thieves. Park where there are lights. If you are parking in the daytime and will be returning to the car after dark, find a spot that has lights. If you have a garage, park inside, or at least in your driveway. You should also make sure that there are lights in the driveway. Motion lights can work well to help make thieves think twice.
Add a Steering Wheel Lock
Steering wheel locks used to be popular for car security, but they have fallen out of favor in recent years. This is because it is possible to cut through them. However, it will add time to the theft of the vehicle. When you have a nice steering wheel lock, along with an alarm and a GPS car tracker, it will generally seem like too much work for the average thief. They will move along in most cases.
Take Belongings Out of the Car
You do not want to make your vehicle an attractive target, so be sure you aren’t keeping anything inside of the car that a potential thief might see. Don’t keep any bags in the vehicle, don’t keep electronics plugged in, and remove anything that looks like it could be worth even a small amount of money. Sometimes, thieves aren’t looking to take your entire car, they just want what’s inside. Don’t leave anything visible, and don’t even keep expensive items hidden in a glove compartment or a trunk.
Keep Your Car Keys Secure
The easiest way for someone to steal your vehicle is to grab your car keys and drive away. You must always take care of your keys and know where they are. Keep your car keys out of sight, including spare keys.
If you have to stop at the gas station, never leave your keys in a visible location, and never leave them in your vehicle while you run inside to grab something. This is true whether you are at the gas station or even at home in your driveway. Keys left in the car are an invitation to thieves. Even people who weren’t initially thinking about stealing the vehicle could see it as an opportunity.
You should take the keys with you and lock up your car. Put the keys in your pocket instead of keeping them in your hand, too. Otherwise, there is a chance that you could leave them on a counter when you pay, for example.
You also don’t want to leave them in an easy to access place in your home. Putting them on a hook right next to the door is not a good idea. Someone breaking into the house could grab them after a break-in and take your vehicle, as well. If they grab the spare set, they might come back a week or so later to take the car.
Add a GPS Car Tracker for the Best Overall Security
In addition to the five tips discussed above, you will also want to make sure that you are choosing to add a GPS car tracker to your vehicle. Trackers can go above and beyond when it comes to security and provide you with the edge you need for your vehicle.
When you have a tracker installed on your car or truck, you will always know its location, even if you aren’t anywhere near the vehicle. All you have to do is check on your app. This means that if the vehicle were stolen, even with all of the added security, you would have a better chance of recovering it. Also, trackers like CarLock can send notifications to your phone whenever there are unusual vibrations, or if the engine starts or the vehicle is moved – even if it is being towed.
These alerts provide even more security for your car. Consider getting a GPS car tracker like CarLock and be sure that you institute all of the other tips mentioned above. This will help to ensure better overall safety for your vehicle. You will be glad that you took these steps.