Increased Car Theft at Work, What's The Best Way to Protect My Car One The Cheap?

mittymitt on 31/05/2019 - 10:06

I work inside a shopping centre and know of at least 3 cars that were stolen in the last 5 days, could be more. As a car owner myself I'm scared I could be next! I mostly work nights so my car sits in an almost empty carpark however it seems most cars are stolen between 12-5pm?

My car has keyless entry and push to start, what's the best way to protect it from being stolen? Already looked at GPS devices and they start around $200 and you have to pay a monthly fee so that's out of the question!

Thanks!

Automotive

Comments

    • AdosHouse on 31/05/2019 - 15:00

      Beat me to it.

  • DarthAntz on 31/05/2019 - 12:56

    aliexpress has your back, but your car will probably be stolen, stripped, and parts listed on aliexpress and ebay before it arrives.

  • yoonibear on 31/05/2019 - 13:31
    +1

    manual transmission? that's a pretty good deterrent

    • Davo1111 on 31/05/2019 - 14:03
      +3

      im sure driving a manual would be a pre-requisite for organised crime car theft rings.

      • brizzy on 31/05/2019 - 16:06
        +3

        Real G- go steal that car for your gang initiation.
        comes back
        Err thats a manual
        i only got my Ps for Auto.

  • Ryanek on 31/05/2019 - 14:59
    +7

    Take the battery with you into work.

    • McFly on 02/06/2019 - 15:13
      +3

      Take the engine with you into work.

    • spedohero on 02/06/2019 - 18:20
      +2

      How about a wheel?

      • skillet on 03/06/2019 - 00:48
        +1

        The steering wheel.

  • Wiede on 31/05/2019 - 15:36

    Huge Fortnite decal

    • KBZ on 31/05/2019 - 17:19
      +34

      He said he wanted to protect his car not his virginity.

  • rave75 on 31/05/2019 - 15:45

    Put a cheap phone & sim card and use it for "lost your phone" tracker?

  • apptrack on 31/05/2019 - 17:03

    I wouldn't get GPS tracking, the last thing you want is your beloved car after being thrashed by thieves..

    Don't think insurance will cover mechanical damages too.

    • tommo224 on 01/06/2019 - 10:37
      +1

      Friend of mine had tracking in his Evo, police ended up finding the warehouse full of other stolen cars as a result. His car never felt the same after though.

      • McFly on 02/06/2019 - 15:14
        +2

        His car never felt the same after though.

        Did your friend try taking it to counselling?

        • xoom on 02/06/2019 - 15:31
          +1

          Car is suffering PTSD

  • DangerNoodle on 31/05/2019 - 17:34
    +1

    Cheapest way for the GPS tracking I've used is use an old phone and sign it up to a find my phone type app (I just use the android tracker). I've got the phone velcro'd to the panel behind the glove box, with a hidden extra cigarette lighter port with a USB dongle. Got a prepaid SIM with 6 months expiry and I only leave it on GPS and and cellular with data switched off to conserve battery

    • eug on 31/05/2019 - 23:01

      Got a prepaid SIM with 6 months expiry and I only leave it on GPS and and cellular with data switched off to conserve battery

      Does Android's Find My Device work without data?

      TPG has a $1/month plan that comes with 50MB/month. That might work well for tracking?

      • DangerNoodle on 01/06/2019 - 11:50

        Hmm, looks like it needs data now. Can always restrict your connection to 3g to maximise battery life. That plan sounds like it should work well. Just make sure your remove most of the apps on your phone so you don't have unnecessary data usage.

    • spaceflight on 01/06/2019 - 22:36
      +1

      with data switched off to conserve battery

      How do you track it with no data connection…

  • chumlee on 31/05/2019 - 17:51
    +8

    Just drive around in a stolen car that way no big deal if it gets stolen

  • Plug on 31/05/2019 - 17:53
    +4

    Rig it to explode if certain events of your choosing are not followed. On the plus side the thief won't do it again. On the minus side it may cost you some Uber fares while you await a replacement vehicle.

    • Miss B on 31/05/2019 - 20:29

      Can you set that up in IFTTT?

    • Ozpit on 01/06/2019 - 12:43
      +3

      Six sticks of gelignite under the driver’s seat and wired up to the ignition with a secret disabling switch should do it. Just remind yourself to turn off the switch every time you jump in the car. Too easy.

      Back in the olden days - when cars and life were simple, and the grass was greener - I would remove the rotor from the distributor when parked in a suss area. Although broken into a few times, my car never got stolen. If only it was so easy these days.

    • [Deactivated] on 01/06/2019 - 21:48

      A variation is to put a timer switch on the fuel pump that cuts the fuel after a few minutes after starting if you don't bypass it

  • meatgasm on 31/05/2019 - 17:58
    +2

    Put enough animu stickers on the thing and crooks will be too embarrassed to steak it.

    • meatgasm on 01/06/2019 - 17:39
      +2

      Steal, not steak GODDAMMIT. Clearly my username checks out though

  • Herbse on 31/05/2019 - 19:26
    -1

    Keep the car at home.

    Better yet, take it back to the dealership and get your money back. Then you'll never have to worry about it at all.

  • RiseAndRuin on 31/05/2019 - 19:49
    -1

    not sure if you can find one of these in Australia, but they're very common in Europe. they'll make it harder but not impossible to steal a car.

    https://bullock.it/sites/default/files/download/test_compara…

  • funnysht on 31/05/2019 - 20:02

    Just put something that suggests it's an undercover AFP car. No one gonna steal it then

  • peterw1 on 31/05/2019 - 20:10

    unplug 2 of your spark plug cables before you leave it, reconnect when you return, or unscrew your negative terminal to the battery and leave hanging free and reconnect on return

    • eug on 31/05/2019 - 23:11

      …and spend two minutes setting your clock and radio presets every single time you drive, and hope that your engine management system that just reset doesn't take too long to re-learn your driving habits. :)

      • Forskin on 01/06/2019 - 13:43

        Plus the few minutes to open/close the bonnet and rummage around in there

        • peterw1 on 01/06/2019 - 20:05
          +1

          i guess that means the car hasn't been stolen

  • smartazz104 on 31/05/2019 - 20:13
    +1

    Take the steering wheel with you like Mr Bean. Seriously though, what 3 cars were stolen in the last 5 days? Were they newish ones like yours or older models?

  • l005e on 31/05/2019 - 20:33
    +1

    Catch the bus

  • Faulty on 31/05/2019 - 21:23
    -5

    Shoulda got the paint protection addon from the dealer ($$$) when you purchased the fully sikk civic bro.

  • macrocephalic on 31/05/2019 - 22:11

    The only real ways to steal modern cars are either with the key or by RF relay. Put the key somewhere RF proof when you're not using it and keep it safe.

  • Euphemistic on 01/06/2019 - 08:41
    +1

    Purchase a gas mask, then fill your car with the most horrible scent you can find. Once a theif breaks in they’ll quickly leave and your car will be safe. (Refer Seinfeld)

  • Stevek1960 on 01/06/2019 - 08:52

    Put a FBD inside the car

  • monkeyfood on 01/06/2019 - 09:26
    +1

    1. Put a very nice expensive bottle of alcohol in the car (out of general view) but lace it with poison, the theif won't be able to help themselves. The car will still get stolen but you will get the last laugh, or maybe not because jail

    2. became a bikie and never worry about petty things like this ever again, also laugh in the face of danger on a daily basis

  • Speckled Jim on 01/06/2019 - 13:04
    +2

    2017 Honda Civic

    Paradox; question is redundant unless thief is blind.

  • ozturtle on 01/06/2019 - 14:35

    Fuel pump cutoff switch. Easy enough with a quick google.

    • skillet on 03/06/2019 - 00:50

      Remove fuel pump fuse!

  • HeWhoKnows on 01/06/2019 - 18:36

    The old fashion way is to remove the centre ignition lead that runs from the coil to the centre of the distributor.
    Not sure if thats still an option these days but removing something similar which you can put in your pocket and prevents the car from being started.
    Maybe the ignition fuse!

  • [Deactivated] on 01/06/2019 - 19:14

    This is the best way.

    https://youtu.be/CCl_KxGLgOA

  • gguu on 01/06/2019 - 20:34

    You don't need to spend over $200 on a GPS tracking device. Any supercheap Android smartphone hidden in the car can report the location via "Find your phone" via Google Account. Just keep it charged or connect to a charger.
    An ozbargainer should know how to get 6 months Amaysim account for free or almost for free.

    Or increase your insured car agreed value to 80k so you can buy a high yield investment car if your Honda is stolen.

  • gguu on 01/06/2019 - 20:45

    Or get a Trunk Monkey!
    https://youtu.be/XW8iAVwt_Yc

  • Sammyboy on 01/06/2019 - 21:16
    +1

    We need to push for much tougher laws, then these sorts of questions wouldn't even need to be asked. Right now you probably don't even have the right to try and stop the thief from stealing your car. Catch them in the act and injure them and then you are in more trouble than the thief. Might as well leave the key/fob on a silver platter on the car bonnet.

  • Ahbal on 01/06/2019 - 21:46

    A manual transmission.

  • imurgod on 01/06/2019 - 22:29

    If you're insured, you're likely to have a replacement car benefit for 2 or 3 years.

  • outlander on 01/06/2019 - 22:57
    +3

    Plot twist: the op is an aspiring car thief, and looking for the most common ways people try and protect their cars

    • xoom on 02/06/2019 - 09:54
      +1

      Ding ding ding…tell em what he has won Bob!!!

      • outlander on 02/06/2019 - 14:05
        +2

        I want an elephant

  • bigbadboogieman on 02/06/2019 - 10:21
    +1

    Hey OP where do you work? Just so I can steer clear of the place… 😁

  • freemoneyhunter on 02/06/2019 - 11:56
    +1

    Drive a POS car and keep it in good working order and maintained, save money by not buying insurance because the car is not worth much. Nobody would bother stealing it either. That is the solution to car theft and saving money.

    • macrocephalic on 03/06/2019 - 09:34

      Those are the sort of cars young joyriders look for - as they're normally much easier to steal. Even still, you save $500+pa on insurance, so you only have to keep the car a few years for it to pay off.

  • Dreamcast on 02/06/2019 - 12:22

    Not 100% sure with your car, but there should be a fuse you can remove that won't allow the car to start. Should be one of the fuses under your dash.

    I tried this with a subaru that has push start and it would not start at all.

  • drspy00 on 02/06/2019 - 14:58
    +3

    A good idea would be to put the message out there that its wrong to steal. Talk to your friends and family and say don't steal. Stealing is wrong! Outline the repercussions of stealing. Put a sticker on your car to let people know you dont want it stolen. This will work in the same way as telling people not to murder etc, and according to some it is quite effective. As as a society we need to talk to each-other to get the message out there that stealing is wrong!

    • xoom on 02/06/2019 - 15:00
      +3

      Yes. The same way as there is no winning school sports. Everyone gets a medal.

      Because you know when they go out in the real world everyone wins. There are no loser.

      Matter of fact I'm suing the Olympic committee for handing out medals for winners only. Everyone should get medals.

    • brendanm on 02/06/2019 - 17:01
      +5

      Extremely underrated post. Everyone who doesn't constantly tell people not to steal things is a thief, express your disgust at stealing today!

  • syousef on 02/06/2019 - 17:10

    Drive a shit box.

  • inherentchoice on 03/06/2019 - 00:47

    Pull some ignition leads. Doesn't take too long but you do have to open the bonnet. I got this trick from a mechanic with a YouTube channel who lives in the ghettos.

    Pretty sure you just need to pull one or two and then it won't start, but maybe someone else can confirm?

    I can't find his video where he mentions it, but I did find this one…

    https://youtu.be/-zbC6T6sfZM

  • myusername on 03/06/2019 - 06:37

    Red belly black snake

  • 91rs on 03/06/2019 - 11:41

    "GPS devices and they start around $200 and you have to pay a monthly fee so that's out of the question!"
    If that's your deal breaker then you're better off doing nothing, make sure you are insured and its paid, then not spend the time worrying about it.
    Surely it has its own anti-theft built in (which would be effective to a certain level)

    What other cars were stolen? Newer or older? how were they stolen? - Some vehicles are much easier to take than others, it is more opportunistic crime unless they want a specific car in which case its easier to just roll you once you unlock it and take your key and your car.

  • Zachary on 03/06/2019 - 15:28
    +2

    I remember a previous thread(Or was it a random topic that just happens to have squeezed into another unrelated thread post…) about this and they had some good suggestions, some may be funny and strange but nonetheless the result is, is that your car is guarded against thieves.

    But I think pretty much all of those suggestions are already posted here from various users, such as:

    • Wheel clamps: clamps your wheels so even if they get your keys or somehow start it, they can't drive off as one or more wheels are clamped down. I guess if they're prepared they could have an angle grinder on hand and grind the shit off and then drive off….in which case I hope you have a backup plan…
    • Steering wheel lock: Lock the steering in place with a cheap or expensive set, ideally a full face plate that covers the entire wheel and ratchets when is turned and is very hard to grind/cut off too, thus if they did manage to steal the keys and turn the car on, they can't drive it since the steering wheel is locked with the wheel guard and can't grind or cut it off since the material it's made of is cut/grind resistance and would take hrs for even a high grade power tool to cut/grind off. If in the case they do manage to find the time to get it off without damaging the wheel itself and then I hope you have a backup plan….
    • Completely taking the steering wheel out and off with you like how Mr. Bean does it: Prevents anyone from driving it at the getgo, but if they happen to find a suitable replacement wheel, then I hope you have a backup plan….
    • Booby trapping your car: Say with electric wire or just electrify your car door handles; anytime they touch the door handle to test if it's unlocked, they will get a nasty shock. If the power is enough, it could also knock them out too and when you come back from where ever it is you went to, you would be able to meet the would be car jacker. Bad thing is that they might come prepared with rubber gloves and completely overpower your booby trapped electrified car unless the voltage is 10k or more in which case no amount of rubber or heavy duty rubber gloves will protect you from.
    • Pulling something out that prevents the car from working: Such as the spark plug or fuses or any other but doesn't method prevent the car from being towed if they came prepared with a tow truck…
    • Drive a shit box or anything unaesthetically pleasing, modded or not: This should prevent the majority of jackings because thieves only look for shiny or and brand new looking cars, although this can be subjective as when it comes to looks as some might actually like your design and jack it anyways or they don't care in which case this would still be broken into and stolen anyways….
    • Stick a note on your car somewhere in big writing (or somewhere where they will most definitely read or look at) telling them not to steal and explain why so they understand: This would only work for someone who doesn't know the concept and thought it was okay but now isn't after reading your note; doesn't work on those who don't care either way or ignore your note and break in anyways….
    • Drive a manual, apparently some thieves can't drive manual so if they break in only to find your car is manual they're (profanity)…lol But….this doesn't prevent those who can drive a manual…..
    • Multiple key system, like Mr. Bean: In one of the videos commented here, he takes out a key to unlock the lock to the door, opens it and there is a hidden key, which he uses to unlock the boot and there's another key there which is used to unlock the bonnet and finally the key from the bonnet turns the car on. Downsides of this is the hassle of going through those stages to simply start a car and the fact that if given enough time the thief could go up and down the car and eventually get it as well…..
    • Maybe don't even own a car? This completely negates car jacking since you don't have to worry about a car you have to steal off. Though this may become a problem if you actually * do* need a car, have no money for other transportation means and just wanna get to a place in a rush….
    • Making your car smell like shit: This would work against thieves who have a sensitive nose but won't work against those who don't care or live with such conditions anyways that it doesn't phase them at all…
    • Have cringy vynls or paint jobs: Should deter some thieves looking to jack a car only to find it with cringy paint jobs and vinyls on. Might not be thief proof if the thief themselves enjoy the cringy nature of the vinyls and paint job or those who don't care either way….
    • Immobolizer: They can't start the car without the thing that disables this….unless they've come prepared and have their own that works as well…
    • Loud alarm: Hopefully the noise should spook the car jacker….but if they came prepared with ear muffs or ear plugs or just generally don't care for the loud noise, then yeah not really much else to do…

    Some things I haven't seen being suggested thus far, unless overlooked somehow, are:

    • Purposely flatten your tyres with no air so they can't possibly drive off (or maybe they can, I haven't driven a car with flat tyres before so maybe it's drivable but just really hard? In the Need For SPeed games, if all your tyres are flat, the game won't let you drive off so I guess that's how it works in real life too?) because all the tyres are flat. Or even better, just take the wheels off everytime you park and put them back on when you come back. Though no idea how you're gonna lug 4 (5 or more if you include the spare tyre(s)) wheels on you at the sametime….again, unless the thief is prepared, they might also have replacement tyres to fit or a pump to re-pump air into the tyres and then drive off again if they managed to get your keys…
    • Maybe do a combination of the above methods?

    All of these methods are proactive in that they, or at least meant to, prevent it from happening in the first place. There others that are mentioned but they're either plans for after the fact or during the event….such as these:

    • Get insurance that covers the car: I guess as long as you don't leave anything of value in it, insurance should be able to get a brand new spanking one if it does get stolen either way, but this could be expensive…..but if money is no object for you and that you have no sentimental value for the car or its contents that were left before it got jacked, then I guess this would be the best method.
    • Drive around in another stolen car: If the car's already stolen then if someone steals it off you, and unless you had intentions of doing anything else with it, then that should be no problem! hahahaha Downside is if a cop pulls you over and finds out its stolen…..you're kinda screwed…..so make sue you're not caught with one….
    • GPS tracking….
    • Zachary on 05/06/2019 - 14:33

      *sure

      Also I should add to the list is a film of sorts(for example tint-a-car's signature film - though no idea how much hits they can sustain before it collapses) that make all your windows smash resistant(or just glass that is actually made for sustaining such impact damages, how about them bullet proof glasses? If they can withstand a bullet, they'll withstand a crowbar, large rock or a hammer to the window, even after many wacks to it…), preferably one that can take a hit(Or multiple hits, as they'll try to open that hole up if one hit doesn't do it or it does but makes a small hole with that they can then repeatedly hit to make bigger…) from say a large sledge hammer with strong impact force….

      If they really wanted to get in and can't find you or the keys to unlock it or and can't/don't wanna pick the lock, then they can and will throw a huge rock or bring a hammer and smash the windows, to get in and see(Or if it's readily visible from the outside, they will instantly grab it) if there's anything of value to steal if they can't get the car working by hot-wiring if that's still even possible today.

  • resisting the urge on 03/06/2019 - 17:24

    I used to live in suburbs where everything/anything of value got stolen as soon as you turned your back
    A silent tow truck towed my freshly painted 351 Falcon one night
    Other times they just broke in and stole the stereo, checked the car for drugs et al. To deal with that, I used attach a false front made from a $40 market bought cassette radio, right over my $1000 remove control DIN unit. That survived untouched for years, even with druggies breaking in (many locks are so bad even the worst druggies can wriggle them)
    One time I had a new company Commodore, went to get in one morning but noticed the wheels were angled strangely: Someone had taken all the nuts off the night before, but didn't go through with jacking the car to take the wheels

    My advice is to mostly to save your money from buying anything too flash and just think a little before you buy.

    E.g.
    Old cars can be very undesirable to theives, esp. if not the 'hot model', or covered in saleable aftermarket parts. Depending on what you buy, that might mean you are buying a cheap, sensible and reliable quite high performance car, so not necessarily a POS as some might call it.i

    Some old cars (German ones are pretty good for this) have excellent locking systems (robust, hard wearing, well designed, keys with side cut surfaces that require expertise and time to pick), built in immobilsers (All models post 1995 with a transponder in the ignition key). Look at the more expensive models, not commodity cars that sell to the price conscious. These will have had more thought gone into making them less vulnerable. You can have decent suspension, mechanicals, tyres, wheels, just nothing that looks flash from the outside. A sleeper, not a looker. Rough body is best, but not a requirement by a long way. For added safety in the darkest backstreets, do things like:

    Leave glovebox open
    Install a blinking LED and a smartly-located immobiliser switch
    Alarm with lots of flashing LEDs that makes it obvious they are ripping it off. Sirens are not needed, can be more trouble than they're worth. Blue and Red lights may work really well too, everyone stickybeaks if they think the police have turned up somewhere dodgy.
    And a GPS locator with an annual Simcard

    Following these kind of rules tend to make the equation look like this, from the POV of the thief:

    Defo no drugs in there :-(
    Old car worth nothing/not the most fun
    No fancy rims to make it worthwhile
    Hard to steal/force/pick locks
    Don't know how to hot-wire / fool the ECU to start the engine

    With this kind of car you don't need to worry about remote key hackers too much, they probably still can't drive it very easily if they get in, nor will it be worth their time anyhow.

  • mousie on 03/06/2019 - 20:00
    +1

    Work somewhere other than mount druitt

  • cbalsill on 03/06/2019 - 20:54

    Look under your steering wheel towards the outer side - there is the internal fuse box.
    Remove the fuse for the fuel pump (fuse n#8?) symbolized by an icon of an engine.
    Takes two seconds to pull and replace, car won't start without it.

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