Car theft in Canada continues to rise, and the driveway has become the most common place for vehicles to disappear. Thieves work quickly and quietly, often targeting cars with weak security or predictable routines. Protecting your vehicle does not require expensive systems, just smart habits that make your car an unattractive target. These eight tips reduce the odds dramatically.
Park in a Visible, Well Lit Spot
Thieves hate exposure. A driveway bathed in light or clearly visible from the street makes your car far riskier to approach. Motion activated LEDs are inexpensive and instantly disrupt stealth. Even a thief committed to checking a vehicle will usually move on when they feel watched. Visibility is one of the simplest and most effective deterrents.
Keep Your Key Fob Away From Entrances
Relay thieves scan for wireless key signals near doors and windows. If they capture that signal, they can unlock and start your car in seconds. Store key fobs away from exterior walls, preferably inside a metal box or signal blocking pouch. A few feet of distance can be the difference between losing your car and keeping it safe.
Use a Steering Wheel Lock
Old school tools still work. A visible steering wheel lock forces thieves to abandon a quick grab and go. They look for fast opportunities, not lengthy dismantling jobs. Even high end vehicles become less appealing when they require extra effort. A simple lock combined with other precautions creates a layered defence that frustrates theft attempts.
Install a Secondary Immobilizer
Factory alarms alone rarely stop modern thieves, but an aftermarket immobilizer adds a hidden hurdle. These systems interrupt ignition circuits unless a unique sequence is used. Thieves cannot bypass what they cannot find, and most will avoid cars equipped with unpredictable security. It is a cost effective way to outsmart high tech theft tools.
Do Not Leave the Car Warming Unattended
Remote start systems help in winter, but leaving a car running without supervision makes it a perfect target. Even if the doors are locked, a thief can smash a window and drive off instantly. If you use remote start, stay within view of the car. If you must warm it manually, lock the doors and stand with it. Convenience should never outweigh security.
Hide Valuables and Remove Bags
A thief who sees electronics, shopping bags or briefcases often assumes something valuable is inside. That turns a parked car into a tempting target. Removing visible items reduces curiosity and lowers the risk of a break in escalating into a full theft. A clean interior is one of the most underrated theft deterrents.
Set Up a Driveway Camera
Cameras scare thieves far more than alarms. They know video evidence increases the chance of being caught, so they avoid monitored properties. Even a doorbell camera angled toward the driveway works well. Thieves operate on risk calculation, and surveillance makes your home too much of a gamble.
Do Not Park in the Same Spot Every Night
Predictability helps thieves. If they know your car sits in the same place at the same time every night, planning becomes easy. Changing parking positions or alternating between garage and driveway introduces uncertainty. Little disruptions like this break the pattern thieves rely on when scouting neighbourhoods.
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