subject: Don't Give Your Car Away to Thieves [print this page] Don't Give Your Car Away to Thieves Don't Give Your Car Away to Thieves
Even if you think that the car you own doesn't deserve a second look, even from car thieves, you may want to reconsider. If you make it easy for thieves to steal your car they most likely will, regardless of age. As cars age, their parts become more in demand. A car's value in the black-market can triple for replacement parts.
Most makes and models have remained the same for several years, so their parts are compatible. Car thieves prefer cars that are at least four years old.Does this make you shudder? Excellent! It means you're ready to begin taking better care of your vehicle. Here are some tips for you:
First, know that car theft can happen almost anywhere at any time of the day. This means that your car isn't really as safe as you might want to think, no matter where and when you park it. Be especially wary of parking in shopping malls, city parking lots and neighborhoods where few people roam the street as these are favorite hunting grounds of car thieves. The bottom-line is to be smart where you park your car.
Second, do not leave a spare key inside the car. This is not a smart thing to do. If you really must have a spare key, please have it with you at all times. And yes, in some parking spaces you have to leave your car key with a parking attendant. Unless you have no other choice or are in an emergency, it is better to look for a parking area where no one will require you to turn over your keys even if it is a bit more inconvenient.
Third, don't leave original registration documents in the glove compartment. Unless the law demands otherwise don't do it. You can always bring a photocopy instead and leave the original at home. With these documents, thieves can easily unload your car and worse, will know where you live, too. Be conscious not to leave any information that contains your personal information, such as your signature or home address. Be cautious of where you throw away those gas station contest entries.
Lastly and most importantly, always switch off your car engine. If you have the habit to keep the engine running as you ran out to pick up something or someone, be careful. It only takes a few seconds for a thief to get behind the wheel and take off in your car. Remember to turn off your engine no matter how brief your business is.
