Cheseldine Tire and Auto is here for your auto repair needs but we’d like to offer some tips to keep your car less vulnerable to theft.  Think of us as the Go – To- Auto Repair Guys in Southern MD. We can give you hints and Tips on many auto repair issues.

Auto theft is sometimes mistaken as a victimless crime. After all, insured motorists are typically reimbursed for stolen vehicles, and drivers whose cars are returned after being stolen can simply submit a claim to have any damages paid for by their insurers. But this characterization of auto theft is untrue, as all motorists, whether their car’s been stolen or not, pay for auto theft. The Insurance Bureau of Canada notes that each year auto theft costs Canadians roughly $1 billion. That figure includes the $542 million insurers pay to fix or replace stolen vehicles each year. Those costs are ultimately passed on to customers, who then indirectly pay for the actions of car thieves.

Curbing auto theft is not necessarily the job of drivers, but there are things motorists can do to reduce the likelihood that their car will be stolen by opportunistic thieves.

· Avoid keyless ignition systems. Drivers who live in areas that are vulnerable to auto theft may want the peace of mind that comes with traditional keyed ignition systems instead of the more modern and flashy keyless ignition systems. While vehicles with keyed ignition systems are stolen every day, some thieves may find it easier and quicker to steal cars or trucks with keyless ignition systems. Thieves can copy keys used in traditional ignition systems, but that process may require access to the original key and tends to take longer than it takes for thieves to reprogram keyless ignition systems once they’re inside a car. Reprogramming devices are not legal, but they are available and can be used to shut off automobile alarm systems in a matter of seconds.

· Lock your vehicle at all times. One of the simplest ways to protect a vehicle from prospective thieves is to always lock the windows and doors, even when you’re inside the vehicle. Auto thieves like things to go quickly and smoothly, and locked doors and rolled up windows only complicate things for thieves. Get in the habit of locking the vehicle when you’re driving, as unlocked doors make it easier for carjackers to surprise unsuspecting motorists.

· Park smart . Some motorists like to park far away so their vehicles are not at risk of being dinged or scratched by inattentive drivers and passengers getting into and out of nearby vehicles. Others may simply not have the patience to find parking spots in well-lit areas close to home or storefronts. But thieves may target vehicles parked nowhere near foot or automobile traffic. Always park in parking garages or other well-lit areas, which deter thieves from breaking in and driving away with your vehicle.

· Etch the VIN onto your windows. Car thieves are not in the auto theft business so they can build a fleet of stolen cars. Upon stealing a car, many car thieves head right for a chop shop, which is a place where stolen cars are disassembled and then sold for parts. By etching the VIN, or vehicle identification number, of your car or truck on your vehicle’s windshield or windows, you may be making your car less attractive to prospective thieves and the chop shops they do business with.

Vehicle theft remains a problem even as technology has done much to prevent it. But drivers can take steps to reduce their risk of being victimized by car thieves.

And to reduce your risk of being stranded on the side of the road in Southern MD call Cheseldine Tire and Auto 301-863-5800.

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