Anyone who has ever owned a vehicle knows that it becomes like a second home. For some people, more time is spent in their car than in their actual home. A vehicle is a vital part of life and it can be incredibly detrimental when something happens to it. This is why is important to keep your vehicle safe and protected. There are several ways to do this. When many people think about keeping their vehicles safe, they think about things like oil changes, new brake pads, and other maintenance work. These things are incredibly important and must be done regularly. However, there are other things to consider as well. For example, there is always the possibility that your car could be stolen. There are a surprising number of actions you can take to prevent this. Another serious problem to consider is the possibility of having your license plate stolen. If you are interested in learning the best ways to protect all aspects of your vehicle, continue reading. Here, you will find everything you need to know in order to keep your car as safe as possible.
First, let’s talk about your license plate. This is, sadly, a popular item to become stolen. Your license plate can be stolen from anywhere. Your home, your job location, while at the store, during a doctor’s appointment, at the airport, or anywhere else you take your car is fair game. Generally speaking, license plates are incredibly easy to remove. All that holds them on is a few basic screws. Some have four screws holding the plate on and others have only two. Either way, they can be removed by anyone with a screwdriver. This makes your license plate incredibly vulnerable. There are a few methods of creating a more secure way of attaching your plates to your vehicle. The most effective method, by far, is a special anti theft set of screw. Unlike regular screws, these cannot be removed by a typical screwdriver. Each company creates a special type of screw head that can only be used with an adapter that is specifically made for their variation. In some cases it is a literal adapter that can be attached to most generic screwdrivers. Others times it may be a small, but whole screwdriver in and of itself. Both of these options have unique tips that are the only things that can be used with the anti theft license plate fasteners screws. This is why they work so well.
The next thing to consider is the unfortunate event of having your vehicle broken into. While there is no guarantee that this will never happen, there are some things you can do to reduce the chances. One of the most important things you can do is be cautious of what you leave in your vehicle when you are not inside of it. For example, you should never leave electronics laying in the car where they can be seen. This includes smartphones, laptops, tablets, MP3/4 players, e-readers, and anything else you can potentially leave in your car. This is essentially an invitation to thieves. Most electronic devices have a decent resale value which means they are a top choice for a thief. If you must leave something of this nature inside your vehicle, take the time to conceal it from view. Depending on the size of the device, you could potentially place it in the glove box, middle console, under the seats, or under a blanket. Along the same line of thinking, you should not leave food, jewelry, or anything that could be construed as valuable laying in the car in plain sight.
Another action you can take to protect your car is to use a wheel lock. This is a special device that attaches to your steering wheel. It locks into place and does not allow the wheel to move as long as it is attached. This prevents a potential thief from being able to drive your car away. This type of device requires a key to remove. If you choose to use a device like this, it is a wise idea to keep the key in a safe place where you will have easy access to it. Many people choose to keep it on the keyring with their car key. There are other similar devices to consider as well. This includes a brake pedal lock, a tire lock, and an immobilizer. The brake and tire locks work in essentially the same way as the steering wheel lock. An immobilizer on the other hand, is a bit different. There are two different types of immobilizers. The first type works off of a bluetooth connection with your smartphone. Your phone must be present, turned on, and have the bluetooth engaged to be able to start your car. If your vehicle loses connection with your phone, it will turn off. The other variation consists of a special key and is better described as a kill switch. This version has a plug or key that must be inserted under the dashboard for the vehicle to be able to function. When you are not using the car, the plug fits onto your keychain. This way, no one besides you or someone your authorize can start your vehicle. If you want to sell your vehicle you can get the scrap value of your vehicle.
In the event that your car is stolen, there are a few things that can help tremendously. Of course, these items must be installed beforehand. A device known as a low jack is one of the best things you can install on your vehicle. If your vehicle is stolen you can use the low jack to locate exactly where your car has been taken. Of course, you should never act alone to get your car back. The best course of action is to take the information for the low jack to your local police department. You will need to file an official report and then the police will be able to use the information from your low jack system to retrieve your property and ensure the appropriate person is punished for the crime.