Safeguard your car
H. Kishie Singh

CONSIDER the following. Approximately 40,000 cars are stolen in India in every year. At Rs 140 crore, the combined value of these cars compares favourably with the value of a large-scale industry!

Less than 15,000 are recovered, most of which are vandalised i.e. easy-to-remove parts like batteries, tyres, stereos, alternators, carburettors etc are missing.

With more and more expensive cars and accessories on the roads, the number of thefts is increasing.

You should be well-equipped to protect your car from possible theft.

Remote controlled electronic locks are quite the rage these days. They are every effective but they have a downside. They can be activated by radio waves i.e. electronic impulses. These waves are also used by your cell phone. It is possible that a cell phone may be used to open or lock your car. Worse, the electronic lock could jam, leaving you out in the cold on a dark, rainy winter night.

The simplest and most effective anti-theft device is two pieces of steel, hooked at both ends and held together with an ordinary lock. One hooked end goes around the clutch pedal and the other around the steering wheel. Once locked at the centre, this device ensures that you can’t depress the clutch pedal (that means you can’t put the car into gear) and you can’t turn the steering wheel. Very effective and possibly the least expensive item in the market.

Incidentally, you can actually do very little to stop a thief from stealing your car. You can delay him and this delay is probably what will save your car. Time is of the essence, and the thief does not have it.

A professional thief needs no more than a screwdriver, a steel ruler and a set of skeleton keys to break into your car, start it and be off in seconds. Your best hope lies in making this difficult for him.

Before electronic alarms were available, one very effective anti-theft device was a chor switch. It was a cleverly hidden switch which cut off the power supply from the battery to the ignition. This again is very inexpensive and very effective.

The steering lock provided by the manufacturer is also a deterrent. However, skeleton keys can easily work around this lock.

Without intending to, we may at times invite thieves to break into our cars. We leave mobile phones, laptops, cameras and briefcases in the cars and in easy view of a potential thief. It is an open invitation which says, "Come and take me!" An accomplished car thief can open a door in seconds and even if lights flash, horns blow and sirens sound, your laptop, briefcase etc could be hundreds of yards down the road! Gone forever!

Learn a lesson from this and don’t leave valuables in your car. Laptops, cell phones should not be left in the car — the heat will destroy them. A briefcase full of valuable documents should be hidden from view. But if you can conveniently carry it with you, do so. Why take a chance?

Ladies, put your handbag out of view even while driving. Make sure the doors are locked. With an unlocked door, a handbag on the passenger seat is an easy target at a red light.

Etching your registration number on the glass is a good idea. But watch it — some glass-laminated panes cannot be etched on.

Expensive tyres are an easy target, you don’t even have to break into the car. Just jack it up and off with the tyres! A spare wheel at eye level in a Sumo, Gypsy, Safari or any other MUV presents a very tempting target. Just undo three nuts and a whole is yours! A lock that fits over the nut can deter a would be thief.

Then, of course, there is that least of all anti-theft measures — insurance. Make sure your premium is paid. Have proper insurance coverage that covers your car, passengers and valuables against collision, theft, riot, earthquake and more. It’s all available.

Happy motoring!