Updated as of July 19,2019
What are the best anti-theft devices for your car?
- Steering Wheel Lock
- Car Alarm
- Tire Locks
- Kill Switch
- Tracking Devices
- Electronic Immobilizer
Car theft is more common than you think. In the Philippines, your Toyota Innova, Vios, or whichever automobile you drive is not always completely safe. You can never know when a car thief could be lurking while you’re at work or on a night out, which is when most car thefts happen. To outsmart criminals and to protect your prized possessions, investing in anti-theft devices for your car is a worthwhile effort.
To help you in that regard, here is a list of tools and devices that could deter people from stealing your car.
Steering Wheel Lock
Steering wheel locks are the next line of defense your car can have after your built-in car lock and alarm. They have been around for decades, and come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. They could be made from different materials, although iron and steel seem to be the most common.
Steering wheel locks, as the name suggests, lock your steering wheel in place. They are designed to prevent your vehicle from turning in any direction, making it impossible for a thief to get very far let alone drive the vehicle. Plenty of modern cars have this mechanically built-in, but this can be bypassed with ease and not all car models have the feature.
These devices are also intended to serve as a visual deterrent to would-be car thieves. In theory, any would-be car thief would have to think twice before even breaking into the car when they see a steering wheel lock. However, there are criminals with enough preparation and know-how that can bypass this. Reports of steering wheel locks being sawed or torched open aren’t unusual.
Luckily there are more anti-theft devices available to the public.
Car Alarm
Many cars come with these built-in, but if yours doesn’t it’s time to one. It activates at any sign of intrusion, such as when the door is opened without being unlocked, when a window or windshield is being shattered, and even when there’s a sudden, extremely loud sudden noise. Car alarms are great at alerting everyone around the premises of where your car is parked, in situations of auto theft. This will instantaneously deter the thief as attention will be turned to the noisy vehicle.
Tire Locks
Similar to the steering wheel lock, tire locks also render your car useless to thieves as it keeps the rear tires in place. Though installing this may take some time and a certain amount of effort, this will doubly ensure that your car stays where it’s supposed to stay. Also, this device is highly visible since it’s attached to your tire, further discouraging any potential thief to steal it.
Kill Switches
Installing a well-hidden kill switch is another effective way to deter potential thieves. A car kill switch is engineered to shut the engine down in the quickest way possible. Depending on their design, kill switches can stop the car through a multitude of mechanisms. The most common way usually involves the spark plug. Other methods can activate based on a certain number of engine revolutions.
These switches when activated disrupt the flow of electricity to the battery or the ignition switch. It can also disable the fuel pump. It may be hard to install, but don’t let that prevent you from acquiring a kill switch. You can always hire a professional for that. With a literal flick of a switch, you can kiss your car theft worries goodbye. Don’t forget to keep it hidden.
Tracking Devices
Also called a GPS tracker, electronic vehicle tracking systems don’t necessarily prevent vehicle theft. They let you track and locate your vehicle when it has been stolen or ‘misplaced’ — making sure that you can get it back.
The best part about having one of these is that it can be integrated into your smartphone making it convenient to use.
It can also serve more purposes. If multiple people use the same car, the owner may want to track where the car is currently. This makes GPS trackers perfect for paranoid car owners, parents, and spouses alike.
Electronic Immobilizers
The electronic immobilizer is probably the most state-of-the-art anti-theft device on this list. Think of it as an electronic kill switch for your car, without the switch. An engine immobilizer is an electronic device that isolates the ignition and fuel systems, the starter engine, or a combination of the three.
What this means is that the immobilizer will prevent the vehicle from starting without receiving the correct signal from the person starting the vehicle. The immobilizer can be activated in several ways: a transponder, a remote key, and a key switch. All these can relay a signal to the immobilizer. Just choose which method works best for you.
Key Takeaway
Luxury or mainstream car, all vehicles must be kept safe from thieves. Always remember to park only in safe areas, never leave other valuable items such as laptops and bags in the vehicle, and be vigilant at all times.
Car-theft is impossible to predict and improbable to completely prevent. This is why you can’t have too much protection for your vehicle. To an experienced and highly motivated thief, just one or two anti-theft devices might not be enough to deter them from getting inside your Toyota Innova in the Philippines and taking it to who knows where. Layering your security is the key to protecting your vehicle.
