Vehicle anti-theft devices?

heavyfoldersarebest

heavyfoldersarebest

Joined
Nov 8, 2012
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So my car got jacked and I need to protect the rest from being jacked as well.

How effective are steering locks and pedal locks?
 
In most cases, just having a steering wheel lock visibly attached is enough to deter people. Car thefts are fast, whether it's a quick window smash & grab or driving off in the car. The longer they take, the more likely they are to get caught, so if it looks like the car will take too long then they won't even bother (unless, of course, you leave valuables in plain site. Setting out the welcome mat is enough to make a tough job worth the risk...)
 
I had a kill switch installed in one of my daughters early cars. Had to arm it every time and of course disarm..used to be any mechanic could devise a creative location....no power, no start.

Best.
 
LoJack works really well but it's a bit pricey.
A switch the disconnects power to the starter works good to as long as the thief doesn't see you getting in your car and working the switch.
Keep the doors locked and valuables out of the car or out of sight.
 
Kill Switch cheapest way to go, as long as you don't get lazy and forget to flip the switch.

i don't think LoJack will prevent your car being stolen, just makes it more likely you get it back.
 
heavyfoldersarebest said:
So my car got jacked and I need to protect the rest from being jacked as well.

How effective are steering locks and pedal locks?
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Installing a kill switch that disables power from the battery is an option. Have the switch installed professionally in a shop outside your hometown, don't advertise to your peers that you have it.
 
Pit Bull. :D
If the vehicle is alarmed, a sticker saying so is a good idea. But a sticker telling the thief which bypass technique to use is not.i.e. Don't advertise which brand of alarm you use. Pedal Locks are good, because access to the lock is restricted. Most steering locks only deter opportunist/casual thieves. The Handbrake to gearshift locks are pretty successfull as well. Nothing will prevent a really determined thief from having your vehicle, all they do is make the time to take it longer (hopefully past the window of opportunity/increased risk of discovery)

PS: In the UK many of the House break ins are committed just to get access to the car keys (sometimes just to "clone" the key fob and replace) and steal documents for ID theft.
 
heavyfoldersarebest said:
So my car got jacked and I need to protect the rest from being jacked as well.

How effective are steering locks and pedal locks?
Click to expand...

I've had my cars been broken into a total of 5 times. 4 times while I owned them, and once while they were still my father's. In my observations, a steering wheel lock will prevent the car from being driven away. It will not prevent the car from being broken into. As Grease mentioned, most car thefts/burgleries are fast. Anybody gone in 60 seconds is a slowpoke.

The flashling red light of an alarm is usually enough to convince a thief that your car isn't worth the effort. Unless, you have a tempting object sitting in plain sight. By this I mean a cell phone, Ipod, GPS, purse, briefcase, etc. Bust in the window, grab the loot out through the window, and drive away. Out of sight, including any mounting hardware = out of mind.

Lastly, use tamper resistant screw to hold your licence plate on. Considering an annual registration (and the licence plate sticker) costs $200-$300, those stickers are going to be a tempting target. The thief isn't going to sit there with a scraper trying to remove just the sticker. They're going to take the whole plate and remove the sticker later.

Of course if you're dealing with a professional who really wants your car, all bets are off.
 
I prefer a remote controlled Claymore under the driver's seat, but such things are frowned upon these days...
 
I recommend a alarm with a passive starter kill. You can also install a directed smart start or a compustar drone (just the two brands that I use and install). That would allow you to check the status of your car as well as track it. Lock unlock panic pop trunk and start the car if you so choose too all from your smart phone. I am a technician and this is what I do for a living, would be more than willing to answer any questions or help any way I can.
 
sodak said:
I prefer a remote controlled Claymore under the driver's seat, but such things are frowned upon these days...
Click to expand...

I would love to park my cars on top of anti-tank land mines and put a sign next the car. 1 mine for each wheel and if those get disabled then yeah a claymore inside.
 
KRAZYKOZMETICS said:
I recommend a alarm with a passive starter kill. You can also install a directed smart start or a compustar drone (just the two brands that I use and install). That would allow you to check the status of your car as well as track it. Lock unlock panic pop trunk and start the car if you so choose too all from your smart phone. I am a technician and this is what I do for a living, would be more than willing to answer any questions or help any way I can.
Click to expand...

One of my cars has the fuse box located on the steering column, is it a good idea to just remove the fuel pump fuse each time? Aside from possibly losing it.
 
I wouldn't for that reason alone, but like anything else if you remove and insert the fuse constantly, the metal prongs/teeth holding the fuse will loosen up. In turn could cause a loose connection, leading to arcing with causes heat and therefore melts the plastic fuse box.
 
I had an inline switch for the fuel pump under the seat in one of my old cars(had to run my own line). It wasn't intended for this purpose but someone did try to steal it. They only got 30 feet. Just saying.
 
This is a neat option, I don't think anyone has ever actually stolen a car with one of these. Instead of hooking up wires under the dash, this kit does it under the hood and they are well hidden in the harness. They are pricey but you can find them on eBay.

[youtube]5mvwfGdgF9A[/youtube]
 
Some of the newer Lo-Jack packages have an option that can send you a text message or email if your car moves without the key being within a certain proximity to the vehicle.
 
My security system is low tech. My pickup is older and I still have the old cassette tape player in the dash, with a tape stuck in its mouth, and passenger side I use the floor as landfill for all the fast food wrappers from meals on the go. Otherwise I park and have no worries about losing valuables. One look inside my truck will make wood be thieves move on to something more appealing.
 
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