Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Auto Theft- Avoid Getting Your Car Stolen

Car theft is actually going down in the U.S., but almost 1.2 million cars get stolen every year. There is no reason you have to be a victim. Avoiding car theft is not difficult.
1. Take your keys. Yes, Roughly 20% of stolen cars get driven away with their own keys in them. And since many cars these days won't let you lock the doors without using your key or a button on your key fob, that means cars with their keys in them also were unlocked.
2. Keep your windows up when you're not in the car. An open window makes it easier to unlock your car…or just open the door and get in.
3. Speaking of parking, park in your garage. This is another easy one. If you have a garage, use it. A thief would have to break into your house in that case,.
4. Set your emergency brake and turn your wheels toward the curb. These things make it harder for thieves to tow your vehicle away.
5. Buy a car with an eye toward not having it stolen. This is not something you can do if you already own the vehicle, but if you are shopping, you should keep it in mind. But don't think only flashy cars get stolen. For years, the Honda Accord has been one of the most stolen vehicles.

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