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How to help keep from getting your car stolen.
-By Nyceguy17 [email protected]
After a bit of time spent reposessing cars, as well as having experience in automotive electronics, I have had run ins with car theft before myself. This is a tutorial to help you TRY to keep your car from getting stolen.
FIRST: The basic tips everyone should know by now.
Never leave your car running unattended.
Never leave your keys in the car or ignition.
Always roll up your windows and lock the car, even if it is in front of your home.
Never leave valuables in plain view, even if your car is locked this is the number one reason cars are broken into. Put them in the trunk out of sight.
Always park in busy, well-lighted areas.
Install a mechanical device that locks to the steering wheel, column, or brake to prevent the wheel from being turned more than a few degrees. Commonly called clubs, collars or J-bars, these devices can act as a deterrent if installed properly.
Always leave just the ignition key with the attendant, if you park in a commercial garage or lot. Make sure no identifying information is attached. Do the same when you take your car for repairs.
Carry your registration and insurance card with you. Don't leave personal identification documents or credit cards in your vehicle.
Copy your license plate and vehicle identification (VIN) numbers on a card and keep them with your driver's license. If your vehicle is stolen, police will need this information promptly.
Even if you don't have a garage or gate, pull in as far as you can.
Reason: Although not as effective as putting your car in the garage, the driveway can also serve as a deterrent. As does parking a second -- not as appealing --car behind the "top 10" vehicle. Again, motion detectors, gates, dogs and alarms serve as early detection systems and deterrents. In addition, the alarm on a car in the driveway is also less likely to be accidentally tripped by traffic or passersby. So if you hear it, you *know* something is wrong.
It is important to realize that car thieves aren't after *your* car. They could care less who it belongs to. They are usually more interested in getting a particular make and model. And anyone's will do. If one is too difficult to get, they can always get another, just down the road.
Install an car alarm -- especially if it's in an apartment parking lot (or on the street) .
Large apartment complex parking lots are literally supermarkets for car thieves.
Reason: They drive through and find the cars they are looking for. Often, while stealing one car, they will spot another model they want and come back for it later. Why go shopping elsewhere? This is especially true if there is no security guard who patrols the premises.
An auto alarm won't stop thieves, but it might alert someone. The witness who looks out the window sees someone jump into a car and another car speeds away before the first car's alarm cuts off, realizes that something is seriously wrong. He, or she, might even go so far as to wake up the rent-a-cop who is supposed to be patrolling the grounds. If your neighbors know it is your car, and he/she sees someone else jumping in and speeding away, a knock on your door lessens the time before the police are notified. Thereby increasing the chances of recovery.
Whether or not an alarm does any good to deter a car thief might be a debatable issue. What is not debatable is the fact that it can lower your comprehensive insurance rates.
Better yet, get a Lojack/Onstar type of service.
The only debate about this is whether or not to label your car with the sign.
Reason: Automobile security / tracking devices are good for fast car recovery. By using a GPS based system the computer can locate your stolen car anytime and anywhere.
The debate is label it or not. The argument for labeling it is that it will deter many would-be thieves. The argument against it is that many automobile thieves know how to disable these units -- especially if you have a specialty vehicle that would attract a professional. A professional car thief keeps up on the technology and knows how to circumvent it. By not labeling your window, the auto thief won't know beforehand that he has to disable the system.
They also can be used to track the thieves to the "chop shop." So don't be surprised if the police ask you to participate in a sting operation by leaving your car in the "cooling off spot" (that's the place where it was parked by the thief until it goes off the "hot sheet") If there is a major automobile stealing ring operating in the area, waiting for the car thief to return and then following him to the "chop shop" is one way for police to break it up -- if informants haven't been panning out.
This, too, is a good way to lower your insurance rates.
Now for the good stuff
The igniton wires are nearly the same in all cars. They are larger gauge wires and are usually red, yellow, purple, and black. Red is 12v when the key is turning, yellow is always 12v, Purple is the actual ign. wire and black is ground. These wires always go up the steering column at about 4 or 5 o'clock on the column. One good measure is to sheath and move these wires around a bit. On my civic, I have wireloom, zip ties, pounds of electrical tape, and a hard plastic tube around them. The same goes for my alarm wires. The object here is to SLOW DOWN the theif. In most rural areas, the theifs are not "professionals,' they are just scummy individuals. So make them spend alot of time in your car. Alot of theives will not stay in your car if it takes too long to even get to the wires.
Choose any alarm, most of them are made by the same people and do the same thing. 90% of all alarms are installed under the drivers side dash, most just hung there or wire tied in. This is common knowledge to your average car theif. All my wires are extended and I have my alarm module mounted wayyyy up under the dash, about right below the surface of the dash near the top. I also have a back-up battery attached to it, just in case they get the power cut to my alarm. These are usually available from the alarm manufacturer, or you can make one.
LED's are your friend. Usually, an alarm comes with one and it is small. Make sure to put it in a highly visible place. The dash or center console is not a great idea. Most factory alarms have their LED's there, and theives will think yours is just a factory alarm and therefore an easy target. I have had mine mounted in the top of the door panel. Just drill a tiny little hole, stick the led (without the bulky plastic cover) into the hole and hot-glue it in place.
Removable steering wheels are a good idea, but not feasible for everyone. No aftermarket wheels come with an airbag, and most cars won't pass inspection without it. But if you can do it, I would.
A Hidden fuel cut switch is also a great idea. You can make one yourself at home easily.
Just take one of the wires coming off your fuel pump (under the rear seat on most hondas) and interrupt it with a switch in line. Hide the switch where it cannot be seen and flip it off when you park the car. I can do a more detailed write up on this if need be.
Another good trick is to wire a momentary switch to your igniton wire so that you have to press a button as you start the car.
Lastly, even if your car has a coded key, or other PATS system (passive anti theft), a tow truck and an evildoer will still get at you no matter what you have. When parking, try to park where it would be difficult to tow your car. With the S2k, I park Nose in REALLY close to the median. There is no tow hook on the back so it would take more work to haul the car off.
Hopefully you will have learned something from this, I will be updating it peridoically as I learn more about some of the new stuff coming out soon. Feel free to PM me or e-mail me with further questions.
[email protected]
This tutorial is an intellectual property of Nyceguy17 and is not authorized to be posted anywhere except SuperHonda.com and anywhere else I see fit.
-By Nyceguy17 [email protected]
After a bit of time spent reposessing cars, as well as having experience in automotive electronics, I have had run ins with car theft before myself. This is a tutorial to help you TRY to keep your car from getting stolen.
FIRST: The basic tips everyone should know by now.
Never leave your car running unattended.
Never leave your keys in the car or ignition.
Always roll up your windows and lock the car, even if it is in front of your home.
Never leave valuables in plain view, even if your car is locked this is the number one reason cars are broken into. Put them in the trunk out of sight.
Always park in busy, well-lighted areas.
Install a mechanical device that locks to the steering wheel, column, or brake to prevent the wheel from being turned more than a few degrees. Commonly called clubs, collars or J-bars, these devices can act as a deterrent if installed properly.
Always leave just the ignition key with the attendant, if you park in a commercial garage or lot. Make sure no identifying information is attached. Do the same when you take your car for repairs.
Carry your registration and insurance card with you. Don't leave personal identification documents or credit cards in your vehicle.
Copy your license plate and vehicle identification (VIN) numbers on a card and keep them with your driver's license. If your vehicle is stolen, police will need this information promptly.
Even if you don't have a garage or gate, pull in as far as you can.
Reason: Although not as effective as putting your car in the garage, the driveway can also serve as a deterrent. As does parking a second -- not as appealing --car behind the "top 10" vehicle. Again, motion detectors, gates, dogs and alarms serve as early detection systems and deterrents. In addition, the alarm on a car in the driveway is also less likely to be accidentally tripped by traffic or passersby. So if you hear it, you *know* something is wrong.
It is important to realize that car thieves aren't after *your* car. They could care less who it belongs to. They are usually more interested in getting a particular make and model. And anyone's will do. If one is too difficult to get, they can always get another, just down the road.
Install an car alarm -- especially if it's in an apartment parking lot (or on the street) .
Large apartment complex parking lots are literally supermarkets for car thieves.
Reason: They drive through and find the cars they are looking for. Often, while stealing one car, they will spot another model they want and come back for it later. Why go shopping elsewhere? This is especially true if there is no security guard who patrols the premises.
An auto alarm won't stop thieves, but it might alert someone. The witness who looks out the window sees someone jump into a car and another car speeds away before the first car's alarm cuts off, realizes that something is seriously wrong. He, or she, might even go so far as to wake up the rent-a-cop who is supposed to be patrolling the grounds. If your neighbors know it is your car, and he/she sees someone else jumping in and speeding away, a knock on your door lessens the time before the police are notified. Thereby increasing the chances of recovery.
Whether or not an alarm does any good to deter a car thief might be a debatable issue. What is not debatable is the fact that it can lower your comprehensive insurance rates.
Better yet, get a Lojack/Onstar type of service.
The only debate about this is whether or not to label your car with the sign.
Reason: Automobile security / tracking devices are good for fast car recovery. By using a GPS based system the computer can locate your stolen car anytime and anywhere.
The debate is label it or not. The argument for labeling it is that it will deter many would-be thieves. The argument against it is that many automobile thieves know how to disable these units -- especially if you have a specialty vehicle that would attract a professional. A professional car thief keeps up on the technology and knows how to circumvent it. By not labeling your window, the auto thief won't know beforehand that he has to disable the system.
They also can be used to track the thieves to the "chop shop." So don't be surprised if the police ask you to participate in a sting operation by leaving your car in the "cooling off spot" (that's the place where it was parked by the thief until it goes off the "hot sheet") If there is a major automobile stealing ring operating in the area, waiting for the car thief to return and then following him to the "chop shop" is one way for police to break it up -- if informants haven't been panning out.
This, too, is a good way to lower your insurance rates.
Now for the good stuff
The igniton wires are nearly the same in all cars. They are larger gauge wires and are usually red, yellow, purple, and black. Red is 12v when the key is turning, yellow is always 12v, Purple is the actual ign. wire and black is ground. These wires always go up the steering column at about 4 or 5 o'clock on the column. One good measure is to sheath and move these wires around a bit. On my civic, I have wireloom, zip ties, pounds of electrical tape, and a hard plastic tube around them. The same goes for my alarm wires. The object here is to SLOW DOWN the theif. In most rural areas, the theifs are not "professionals,' they are just scummy individuals. So make them spend alot of time in your car. Alot of theives will not stay in your car if it takes too long to even get to the wires.
Choose any alarm, most of them are made by the same people and do the same thing. 90% of all alarms are installed under the drivers side dash, most just hung there or wire tied in. This is common knowledge to your average car theif. All my wires are extended and I have my alarm module mounted wayyyy up under the dash, about right below the surface of the dash near the top. I also have a back-up battery attached to it, just in case they get the power cut to my alarm. These are usually available from the alarm manufacturer, or you can make one.
LED's are your friend. Usually, an alarm comes with one and it is small. Make sure to put it in a highly visible place. The dash or center console is not a great idea. Most factory alarms have their LED's there, and theives will think yours is just a factory alarm and therefore an easy target. I have had mine mounted in the top of the door panel. Just drill a tiny little hole, stick the led (without the bulky plastic cover) into the hole and hot-glue it in place.
Removable steering wheels are a good idea, but not feasible for everyone. No aftermarket wheels come with an airbag, and most cars won't pass inspection without it. But if you can do it, I would.
A Hidden fuel cut switch is also a great idea. You can make one yourself at home easily.
Just take one of the wires coming off your fuel pump (under the rear seat on most hondas) and interrupt it with a switch in line. Hide the switch where it cannot be seen and flip it off when you park the car. I can do a more detailed write up on this if need be.
Another good trick is to wire a momentary switch to your igniton wire so that you have to press a button as you start the car.
Lastly, even if your car has a coded key, or other PATS system (passive anti theft), a tow truck and an evildoer will still get at you no matter what you have. When parking, try to park where it would be difficult to tow your car. With the S2k, I park Nose in REALLY close to the median. There is no tow hook on the back so it would take more work to haul the car off.
Hopefully you will have learned something from this, I will be updating it peridoically as I learn more about some of the new stuff coming out soon. Feel free to PM me or e-mail me with further questions.
[email protected]
This tutorial is an intellectual property of Nyceguy17 and is not authorized to be posted anywhere except SuperHonda.com and anywhere else I see fit.
.
