- Remove your keys from the ignition and take your keys with you.
- Lock your vehicle.
- Never hide a second set of keys in your vehicle.
- Park in attended lots.
- If you park in an attended lot, leave only the ignition/door key.
- Park in well-lighted areas.
- Never leave your vehicle running, even if you will only be gone for a minute.
- Completely close all vehicle windows when parking.
- Do not leave valuables in plain sight.
- Park with your wheels turned towards the curb to make your vehicle more difficult to tow away.
- If your vehicle is rear-wheel drive, backing into your driveway will also make it more difficult for a thief to tow it away.
- Garage your vehicle if you have one and always remember to lock the garage door.
- Do not leave the registration or title in your vehicle.
- Always use your emergency brake when parking, which ensures safety and also makes it difficult for a thief to tow your vehicle away.
- Etch your vehicle identification number on car windows and major parts. This procedure makes vehicles and parts more easily traceable when stolen.
- Disable your vehicle when leaving it unattended for an extended period of time.
- Engrave expensive accessories like car stereos, cellular phones, compact disc changers, external speakers, etc., so that the thief will have difficulty disposing of them.
- Drop business cards, address labels or other identification inside vehicle doors to help assist law enforcement in identifying your vehicle or parts.
- Replace easily accessible door lock assemblies.
- Install an anti theft device or system on your vehicle as an extra deterrent measure.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA]
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