Testimonials of owners of automobiles - cars. Cars is almost free.

Your car is probably one of the most expensive items that you own, and it is one that you will frequently leave unattended, out on the street. Always be alert to the possibility that someone may target your car either to break in and steal the goods inside, or to take the vehicle itself. By taking a few simple precautions you should be able to deter the opportunistic thief away from your pride and joy and on to a much softer target.

Even if your car is several years old and not worth much in monetary terms car thieves are still a threat. Older cars are often highly sought after by thieves because they lack the sophisticated immobiliser, alarm and security technology that are fitted as standard to more modern machinery.

Ideally you want to park your car on a drive or in a locked garage overnight. However if you are forced to leave the car out on the road leave it in a well lit spot near a street lamp. Car thieves like to target vehicles parked in dark unlit areas, where they can easily work unseen and undisturbed.

If you need to leave your car even for a few moments, remove the key from the ignition and lock the door. As car security systems have become harder to bypass, thieves now target drivers who leave their vehicles briefly unattended with the keys in the ignition, for example when they are filling up at a petrol station, or de-icing the windows during the winter.

Increasingly when a thief has targeted a specific vehicle they will try to steal the keys from inside the owner's house during the night. Car keys are often left by the front door and can be easily seen and taken by a thief through your letterbox, so make sure you don't leave your car keys on display when you go to bed at night.

If your car has an immobiliser and alarm make sure you use it every time you leave the car unattended, car thieves are much more likely to leave your vehicle alone if a wailing siren and flashing car lights are attracting attention. Also make sure that you engage the steering column lock, by turning the wheel until you hear a click, every time you park.

If your car is particularly desirable consider having a tracking system installed, this will emit a signal if your car is stolen that can be detected and tracked by the police. You will also find that fitting an approved tracking system will significantly lower your insurance premiums.

Finally don't leave anything that looks valuable on show in the car, instead lock it away inside the boot. You may know that the jacket you have left on the back seat has nothing in the pockets, but an opportunistic criminal doesn't, and so will quickly break the glass, grab the jacket and run off with it just to find out. Leaving you with a complicated insurance claim form or an expensive window repair bill.

Jo Alexander is an online, freelance journalist and keen windsurfer. Jo lives by the sea in Essex.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - How To Beat the Car Thief: Simple Tips to Stop Your Car Being Stolen