Preventive Measures for Theft

[Darren83]

hi, i know this issue has been discussed quite a few times , but because of the alarming rate of car thefts that have been going around, i'm just wondering if we could compile all those preventive measures , do's and donts in this thread. What are the things to look out for and stuff like that. eg if we should use the car cover, because it may hide our car but it also shows that our car is something nice that we are hiding it.. thanks

[Eug]

stickers!!! not that you should have them anyway...

but if you got apexi, alpine, pioneer, etc... you are pretty much telling people whats in your

car. whether it'd be a PFC, headunit or whatever.

[Yorik]

Never put a sticker on your car for soemthing that can be sold at the pub.

Never have your system pumping near where you park your car.

Large viscous dogs are good for fending off would be thieves but are no good for upholstery.

Lock up garage is good.

Up my way cars are broken into not to steal them, but just to take change adn cigarettes, they go staright past cd's, cameras, even phones..

I have a 2 way car alarm as well, so I know when my alarm whinges about anything..

[bootlegapparel]

My advice, get a good alarm like a nemesis, at least 3 point immobiliser, kill switch, club lock, take out your ecu or unplug it, disconnect the fuel pump, and a boot.

[Remix-]

Removing the ECU is probably the best method i believe. I don't screw up the kick panel or the ECU bolt to enable quick removal.

[leb]

Park under lights, don't rice your car, make your modifications subtle (eg mesh over front mount) Spend $$$ on the security system if the car is worth that much.

[Raikkonen]

what about stickers of very expensive car alarm systems?

although i guess that could give the thief heads up on what he's gonna come across... unless ya do a switcher roo by having a different alarm to the one advertised but thats doesnt stop him looking

[blind_elk]

I had some little pile of turd simply lock himself away inside the car, away from the siren of the alarm, and steal the radio. So now I have a Jaycar Screecher installed INSIDE the car - 110dB @ 2kHz should be enough to remind them that they are not welcome.

If you have a detachable panel for the radio, TAKE IT WITH YOU. Don't simply hide it somewhere in the car.

[Goon]

A club lock will deter joyriders and inexperienced car theives. only people looking for your specific make/model are game enough to take on a club lock. club locks are the main deterent for thieves. but dont stop there, immboliser, kill switch and alarms are a must.

[gatty]

i'll have to get me a club lock

obviously don't leave valuables visable....

and you gusyr elay take your ECU's?

thanks crazy

lol

[Broken Linx]

get an alarm that has sensors for everything you will probably have to spend at least $1000 for this but it works, also if you have shock sensors make sure they are set on sensitive if popssible. If you have a good alarm don't put stickers on your car that way they don't know what they're getting themselves into.

Failing that try to park somewhere that has a lot of people walking past

[R33Hesh]

how do u take out the ecu? where xactly is it? :s

[bangahh]

how do u take out the ecu? where xactly is it? :s

left front passanger kick panel where their feet is.

[gatty]

passenger side, you will see down near the feet on left a panel - remove it - you shall see it

[ecl]

hmm. i dunno about you guys but ever since having full comp insurance, i feel that my worse fear isnt having the car stolen but vandalized

i mean IF they keyed it, stripped parts etc, i would wish that they stole it in the first place and let insurance deal with it instead of having my car feel violated =|

i read in a mag (think it was speed or something) and they had a bit on preventive measures:

1) Dont play loud music near your neighbourhood or where you are going to park

2) Dont have stickers (this is a shopping list for thieves)

3) If you park in a shopping centre etc, try to park close next to a wall so that if a thief tries to steal your wheels, it would be VERY difficult to get to the side next to the wall. Hence, 2 wheels are worth less than 4 to them.

4) Kill switches can be done

5) Have a decent alarm + immobiliser

6) Dont park in dodgy areas or places where you know something will happen (i.e. westfields at night)

7) Dark tint helps to prevent people from peeking into your windows

8) Get a cloth to hide any guages, tachos you may have on the dash

9) Hide all belongings

[lang]

seriously club locks are a waste of time they can be removed in about 10 seconds , and they actually assist the theif steal the car by allowing them to do something else with it.

im not going to outline it here, because i dont want to say how to remove one on a public forum. if your an established member here and u want to know PM me.

[R33Hesh]

wow that thing has way too many wire goin in and out, i aint gona touch nothing

[SKY031]

I have been trying to do some research on this topic, by asking people who have had their cars stolen about the types of security devices which were in place at the time.

I've been asking this in every "stolen" thread i've been able to find over the last 6 months or so, and guess what?

Not once have I had a response.

This leads me to believe that when peoples cars are stolen, they are left with the doors open, and keys in the ignition.

Doesn't it make sense that if your car was stolen, you'd want to try and stop the same thing happening to other people?

Wouldn't it be logical to use what you have learned to help other people organise the best possible protection for their cars?

Or does having your car stolen leave you so bitter and resentful that you actually WANT other people to have their cars stolen?

If anyone who has had their car stolen can respond to this, i'd like to know the following:

Which security systems were in place at the time of theft?

Were the windows closed?

Were the doors locked?

Was the steering wheel locked?

Was a club lock/pedal lock/shifter lock in place?

Was an alarm in use?

Was an immobiliser in use?

GPS tracking?

BFD?

I'm also very interested in the point of entry, and method of entry.

eg: smashed rear 1/4 window, smashed drivers window, forced door lock, entry via boot etc.

I have always felt that alarms don't do anything apart from make noise, and i'm extremely interested in hearing from anyone who thinks that an alarm has saved their car from being stolen.

[Jordan]

Which security systems were in place at the time of theft?

Were the windows closed? yes

Were the doors locked? yes

Was the steering wheel locked? no

Was a club lock/pedal lock/shifter lock in place? no

Was an alarm in use? yes

Was an immobiliser in use? yes

GPS tracking? no

Alarm didnt save this Subie

[slow13dude]

Which security systems were in place at the time of theft?

Were the windows closed? yes

Were the doors locked? yes

Was the steering wheel locked? no

Was a club lock/pedal lock/shifter lock in place? no

Was an alarm in use? yes

Was an immobiliser in use? yes

GPS tracking? no

Alarm didnt save this Subie

How was it stolen? Tow truck? Did it have that keypad stuff?