How to Protect Your Car

How to Protect Your Car - If you drive a nondescript sedan, or any car for that matter, you should be worried about potential theft. Sedans such as the Camry and Taurus are among the most commonly stolen vehicles, but every vehicle can be at risk if you don’t keep it safe.

Car Safety

Car safety is relatively straightforward. For the most part it’s common sense. You should have a safe place to store your car, it should be locked, and there should be theft deterrent systems in place. 

Car security can get deluxe with extra deterrent and notification systems, and these can never hurt – especially if you live in an area with a high rate of theft or damage. 

Car Storage

The first step to protect your car is to give it someplace safe to live. The best place is a garage that locks every night. If you lock your car up inside its own garage, you already have the utmost in security – at least at night and when the car isn’t out and about.

Of course, we don’t all have the option of a garage, but the more safety measures you can arrange – a parking lot with gated entry, a protected ally versus the main street, covered parking, etc… the safer your car will be.

Remember, you’re not only protecting your car from theft, you’re also protecting it from the weather and falling objects, such as tree limbs.  

Basic Car Security

A lot of the basic security for your vehicle is up to you. Locking your doors and keeping valuables out of site will help keep criminals away.

Locking the doors while you drive, especially if you’re stopping and starting at streetlights can also keep carjackers and other criminals out of your vehicle if they try to hop in.

Keeping your windows up and only cracking it at the top should you need to speak to someone outside will protect you as well. Never open it wide enough to let a hand in – unless you’re in the drive-thru or cruising on the highway.  

Theft Deterrent

You should also have a theft deterrent system on board if possible. The more systems you have the better. The old school system was an alarm which blared or talked to the world should your car be jostled at all.

Unfortunately, these alarms go off so frequently for other reasons, they are ignored for the most part and aren’t a deterrent at all. The newer standard deterrent is a chip in the key that must be present for the engine to start. This makes for large keys, but it keeps your car safe from hotwiring or copied keys. 


Read your owner’s manual to see what theft deterrent systems you already have on board and visit an auto shop or electronics store to see what other options you have. Products range from basic to the very high end including vehicle tracking systems should your car be taken.  


The more systems in place, the better – but only if you do your part by locking your doors and parking in safe place when your vehicle isn’t in use.

Easy Step By Step1. Always find a secure place to park2. Make sure the vehicle is always locked3. Use a theft deterrent device if possible4. Use common senseWarnings, Advice, and Suggestions

Common sense will take you a long way to protecting your vehicle but, sometimes all the prevention in the world will not make any difference. Be sure to keep your insurance up to date, and have a plan should something happen to your only means of transportation.