Car protection- meaning theft prevention...

[shaf]

Well this is ONE area where I'm glad that I own an older car that isn't "hot" on anyone's list, except maybe joyriders...



If you're really worried, I think a layered defense is a good idea. Use the Club AND that Auto Lock thing that slips underneath your brake or clutch pedal. Both are not meant at all to stop a car thief, they're just deterrents.



On top of that, add whatever kill switches and inconveniences you want as well. It's true that if they really want your car, they'll take it, but you can at least slow them down, and you HAVE to at least try your best otherwise you'll be wondering what else you could have done to prevent it...



Some very interesting ideas in this thread BTW (especially that magnetic switch one that drrac2 mentioned!).

 

[SKIM_NYC]

When I was in highschool, I installed a kill switch on the wires to my fuel pump. The car would start, but would only run for about a minute before it cut off. If anyone ever did try to steal it, they would only make it a little ways down the road before they would just have to leave it.

 

[imported_Totoland Mach]

Here's my car alarm...works well in most cases.

 

[Brad B]

Here's my car alarm...works well in most cases.

That would work for me! Be sure to keep the alarm fed!

 

[boywonder]

I have had 2 vehicles stolen.



- 1977 Cutlass (High on most stolen list)

- 1988 Caprice (#3 on the most stolen list in Chicago).





...and 3 broken into



- 1977 Cutlass

- 1988 Caprice (attempted theft which got foiled by a Clifford Alarm System)

- 2002 Maxima (actually was an attempted break-in to try and steal CDs)



However, as 4DSC said, if they want your car bad enough, they will steal it. But you can do what you can to make it as difficult as possible to prevent it.



With the '02 max, the first thing I did was get some security bolts to protect the HIDs. But with the '03, I plan to take some more serious measures since I have learned a few things.