Vehicle security
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Do not leave the garage door remote inside your vehicle.
Thieves can use the opener to enter the garage and steal items or vehicles while occupants are sleeping.
2 people, independently
- Keep a wireless garage door keypad in your car instead of a traditional remote to prevent thieves from accessing your home if they break into your vehicle.1
Occasionally test that all car doors actually lock when pressing the key fob, especially if the car is older than five years.
Even in low-crime areas, people may test car doors to find unlocked ones.
one person who lived it
Always verify that your car is locked, even when parked in your own driveway or garage.
Thieves have been known to walk around neighborhoods checking for unlocked cars.
3 people, independently
Yank hard on the door handle after locking to ensure the lock is fully engaged.
Locks can come loose after a few yanks; one person had their car emptied because they knew this but failed to fix it in time.
one person who lived it
Have a partner keep the spare car key in their purse or pocket at all times.
It provides a backup if the primary key is misplaced, such as being dropped in the trunk.
one person who lived it
Remove a couple of wheels and carry them with you when parking in high-risk areas.
One person reported never having their car stolen after doing this.
one person who lived it
Attach a magnetic key box to the bottom of your car during long trips.
It provides reassurance that a spare is available.
one person who lived it
- Hide a spare key in a magnetic key locker attached to the bottom of your car.4
Ensure your glove box locks to create a barrier against thieves searching for identifying information.
Thieves are less likely to break into the glove box after already breaking into the car.
- Not all glove boxes have locks.
one person who lived it
Notify local police if your car is stolen to increase the chance of recovery, especially in small towns.
Police may be able to watch for and spot the vehicle.
one person who lived it
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Input an adjacent street address as your home in the GPS rather than your real address.
If the vehicle is stolen, the garage opener will be useless at the wrong location.
one person who lived it
If your garage opener is built into the rear-view mirror, unplug it or remove the mirror to prevent use after theft.
Removing the mirror causes it to lose memory so it cannot be used.
one person who lived it
Give mechanics or valets only the specific car key, removing it from your main key ring first.
3 people, independently
Remove toll chips from your car before selling it.
Previous owners have reported receiving charges after selling their vehicles because the chips were left inside.
one person who lived it
Do not leave packs of cigarettes visible in your car, as desperate people may break windows to steal them.
Desperate people may smash windows specifically to obtain cigarettes.
one person who lived it
Drive a manual transmission vehicle to deter theft from people who cannot operate it.
3 people, independently
Keep your car windows fully up, especially when stopped at lights or in traffic, to prevent thieves from reaching in or assaulting you.
Opportunistic thieves may reach in to snatch phones or purses, or attackers may use projectiles or breach open windows.
one person who lived it
Use a combination lock container made of metal or difficult-to-break material for hidden keys to add a layer of security against casual theft.
Thieves are unlikely to bother breaking into a container that is a pain to dismantle, though note that key-and-combination locks are notoriously insecure.
- Key and combination locks are notoriously insecure.
one person who lived it
Remove personal information, access devices, and identifying documents from your car to prevent identity theft and unauthorized home access.
A thief who steals an insurance card and garage opener gains your name, address, and entry to your home, which is far more damaging than losing the vehicle itself.
one person who lived it
Be cautious about keeping keys in tight pockets to prevent accidental activation of remote functions like window controls.
Accidental long-pressing of buttons can occur, potentially causing issues like flooding the car during rain.
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