Your car is not only a vehicle, but it is also your freedom, something that you see daily and a substantial investment. Regrettably, car theft has been a burning issue among vehicle owners all over the world and the thieves have grown more sophisticated in their operations. Driving a Toyota makes you especially susceptible to this, because some of the models always feature in the list of the most stolen cars, as people like them and they have a high resale price.
The good news? You do not need to become a sitting duck. By taking necessary precautions and security measures, you can lower your chances of ending up like another statistic by a significant margin. The following are the five tips that can help keep your Toyota safe and secure.
1. Invest in a High-Quality Catalytic Converter Lock
The theft of catalytic converters has been on a rampage over the last few years with the thieves stealing these precious parts, which contain precious metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium, among others. A thief will underdrive your Toyota and steal your catalytic converter within less than three minutes, leaving you with a vehicle that cannot run well, costing you thousands of dollars to repair.
The answer is simple and the solution is to fit a catalytic converter lock or shield. These are hardened steel objects that cause a physical barrier to thieves and make it extremely difficult to access your converter and time consuming. Most criminals will always find an easier target when they find a secured car. It is one of those investments that can be made once and paid back immediately, it prevents theft.
2. Never Leave Valuables in Plain Sight
This would be pretty self-explanatory, but you would be amazed at the number of thefts that happen because a laptop bag, phone, or shopping bags were left in sight of a window. Thieves are opportunistic, they always check the parking lots hoping to get an easy money. Such a simple thing like loose change in your cup holder can be sufficient to make a criminal break your window.
Make it a habit to clear your car completely every time you park. Store everything in your trunk before you arrive at your destination, not after you’ve parked, as thieves often watch for this behavior. If you must leave something in your vehicle, use a trunk organizer or cargo cover to keep items completely out of sight. Remember, an empty-looking car is an unattractive target.
3. Park Smart and Stay Alert
Where and how you park matters more than you think. Well-lit areas with high foot traffic are your best friends when choosing a parking spot. Thieves prefer to work in darkness and isolation, where they won’t be interrupted or witnessed. If you’re parking at home, use your garage whenever possible. If you don’t have a garage, park in your driveway rather than on the street, and consider installing motion-activated lighting.
When parking in public spaces, look for spots near building entrances, security cameras, or busy walkways. Avoid parking in the back corners of lots or in areas with heavy vegetation that could provide cover for criminals. Even an extra minute of walking is worth the peace of mind knowing your vehicle is in a safer location.
4. Upgrade Your Vehicle’s Security System
The security systems installed in factories are nothing, yet it is also easy to predict, and sometimes it is easy to overcome experienced thieves. Look at switching to a more sophisticated aftermarket security system that, among other things, involves such features as GPS, smartphone notifications, and kill switches that block the engine from starting.
The security systems that are available today will alert you in real time whether somebody is tampering with your car, hence giving you the opportunity to call and report the crime as it happens. There are even systems that come with dash cameras that capture the action in the area that your car is parked giving you good evidence in case someone attempts to steal your car. The obvious existence of the extra protection such as steering wheel locks or brake pedal locks is also an effective deterrent as it sends a message to thieves that your Toyota is no easy target.
Explore advanced car alarm systems designed to deter modern car theft and protect your Toyota.
👉 https://avsales.net/product-category/car-alarm-system/
5. Maintain Good Habits with Your Keys and Locks
This last piece of advice is everything to do with discipline and being consistent. Always lock your doors, whether you are making a quick trip to a store for a minute. Always lock your keys in the ignition or never leave a spare key in any of the spots on or around the vehicle, thieves are familiar with all the hiding places.
Key fobs can also be stolen with the modern type, with the possibility of relay theft, wherein the criminals use technology to boost the signal of your key and unlock your car even when you have the key in your house. Counter this by putting your keys in a metal signal-blocking pouch or container at home. Also, one should avoid leaving their cars unattended in order to warm up in cold mornings. An unprotected running car is an advert to thieves.
Protect Your Car Today
Car theft is a huge menace, but you can do nothing about it. You are ensuring that you are doing proactive things to protect your scatter by employing these five tips, particularly in investing in the right catalytic converter protection. AV Sales recognizes the value of vehicle security, and we’re committed to providing the protection solutions you need to keep your investment safe.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Protect what matters today.