Protect your car from theft: 5 tips for more security

Protecting the car from theft is becoming increasingly difficult in Germany. Nevertheless, you can do a lot to ensure that your vehicle is at least a little better protected against thieves.

Car protection through internal mechanical immobilizers

Clearly visible security measures may not look fancy, but they already have a deterrent effect on some car thieves. If you are lucky, the crooks will choose the easiest way and turn to another car that promises faster prey.

• The steering wheel claw is a mechanical anti-theft device, for example. The steering wheel claw connects the steering wheel to the pedals so that driving is initially not possible. The thieves first have to put up with a few minutes in order to forcefully remove the steering wheel claw.
• Another mechanical safeguard for the car is a gear shift lock. The gear shift is blocked by the gear lock.
• In contrast to the other mechanical theft devices, the gear lever locks are developed individually for the vehicles. Accordingly, they are significantly more expensive than the other mechanical fuses. The price depends on your car, but you should calculate from 300 euros upwards. However, the gear shift lock is the most convenient mechanical securing option for your car. It also serves as visible preventive burglary protection.

Protection from car thieves by external immobilizers

The immobilizers on the outside of the car don't really look chic, but they also act as a deterrent for one or the other car thief - if you're lucky.

• In contrast to the steering wheel claw, the parking claw is attached externally and directly to the car tires. In this case, too, the thieves have to put up with additional time in order to remove the parking claw.
• Another variant, which is also not without the car owner, are the so-called valve monitors. The valve monitors are placed directly on the wheel valve of the car. These are not as clearly visible as the park claw, but they are quite effective.
• If the thief tries to escape by car, he won't get very far. After just a few meters, the air is released from the tires by the valve guard.
• This anti-theft device, however, poses a great danger: if you forget to remove the valve guard before driving, you will be like a car thief. After a few meters you stop with flat car tires.

Disconnect the car's power supply

A more elegant anti-theft device is to cut off the power supply in the car.

• The so-called Cadillock system is relatively easy to connect to the car battery and cannot be removed later with force. If car thieves break into their vehicle by force, the power supply is automatically cut off. It is therefore no longer possible to drive away.
• The Cadillock system is also available in combination with an alarm system.
• If the thieves break into your car, the alarm goes off. If the burglars then try to get out of the dust with the vehicle as quickly as possible, the power supply is also interrupted.

Alarm systems for the car

Alarm systems are now becoming increasingly sophisticated, especially since hardly anyone is responding to the deafening sirens.

• In new car alarm systems, the vehicle interior is monitored using ultrasound sensors.
• As soon as crooks break into the car, the vehicle owner is informed via SMS on the smartphone. Depending on the alarm system, you then have the option of interrupting the car's power supply immediately.
• The route of the vehicle can be documented via GPS so that the chance of catching the thief increases.

Keyless Go - convenience bears risks

Unfortunately, the very convenient car key system "Keyless Go" does not only bring advantages. Car thieves have long since discovered a sophisticated way of casually opening the car doors and stealing the vehicle.

• To steal the car, the criminals only need a key scanner and a radio link extender.
• One of the thieves, for example, places himself near the house with the radio link extender and his accomplice in front of the car. With the help of the radio link extender, the key signals are received, amplified and transmitted. The second car thief can then easily open the car doors with the key scanner.
• You put an end to this hustle and bustle by storing the car key in a closed saucepan. This simple measure means that the signals from the car key are not transmitted to the outside and the car thieves have no chance of cracking your car this way.

More information for drivers on EFahrer.com

At EFahrer.com you will find many tests and advice on everything to do with electric cars. There is also a range calculator and an extensive map with all charging stations.

Not only car thieves can do great damage. A plastic bottle can also be dangerous for your car.