Keep your vehicle doors locked

[BelgianPup]

I've watched several self-defense videos where car-jackers and other criminals wait for people to either put their vehicle in park or turn off the ignition (whichever triggers the doors to automatically unlock), and then they attack. I believe vehicles 2018+ have this feature.

A friend of mine said when she bought her small van, she had that turned off. The crime rates seem to be going up everywhere (she's in SoCal), and unlocking all the doors with just herself in it seemed to be begging for trouble.

Anyway, I think that's something van dwellers should consider. She said the van manual gave instructions how to do it, but your mechanic could probably do it if you're as mechanically and electronically challenged as I am.

 

[maki2]

A lesson I was taught 67 years ago as a very young child. It is certainly not new advice.

 

[Morgana]

Seems like a good idea in general to get in and out of your vehicle quickly, and maintain good awareness of what's around you in the meanwhile. It's a vulnerable moment. No need to be tense about it, just alert. And keep that door locked except when getting in or out.
(Not sure if I got that from Gavin De Becker's The Gift of Fear or some other source.)

 

[RoamerRV428]

most cars lock auto and for me they are actually a PIA against me but yes of course, SEE YOUR surroundings, know your area and more and locked will always be better than unlocked of course.

don't focus on too many what ifs, key being do what 'system you choose' to suit you best ya know for your issues in life' to make it the best ya can for your security and ya can't ever say you didn't do you best for you

 

[ras96mg]

I'm currently working on installing steel bars to my doors from the inside by drilling holes through the bars and screw bolts through the bar and the rivets (which are installed to the doors). Even if they manage to bypass the locks. They'll be unable to open the door. I think it's very important for all of us to adopt the habit of leaving and entering the drivers door with all the other doors locked and secured. It's also advisable to separate the cab and cabin area by building a solid partition in case they break through the driver or passenger door. I also have a brake lock that hooks around the brake and the steering wheel. This may deter but they may still cut through the steering wheel with a cordless cutting tool.

I don't believe in spending hundreds of dollars on these fancy devices when instead we can utilize cheap/scrap metal parts which do just as good or even better. I'm still working the whole thing out since I'm in the early stages of van conversion. I also advise installing extra mirrors and installing solar led wall lamps around the outside perimeter.

 

[BelgianPup]

"A lesson I was taught 67 years ago as a very young child. It is certainly not new advice."

They had electronic door locks 67 years ago? Never knew that!

 

[user 423]

They had electronic door locks 67 years ago?

Thru the years there were many advanced technical features that were first available only on expensive luxury cars.

Googling "The first year for electric locks on a car" shows they were used on a 1914 Scripps-Booth (a defunct car maker).

Use on most cars didn't start until 1956 when Packard started using them.

66 years ago

 

[Calaverasgrande]

Car jackers are not very sophisticated people for the most part.
I've seen several videos about people leaving quarters on the hood of a car to distract victims. Or some other made up needlessly complicated ploy.
I have known gang members, lived in rough areas a lot of my life. I'd go into more detail but I'd rather not.
Car jackers are of two kinds, crimes of opportunity types, and those that are looking for a particular kind of car.
You are most in danger of being carjacked at a stop light.
Every single person I know who has been carjacked, it has happened at a light. And it's overwhelmingly women they target.
I'm sure it can happen in a driveway or something. But that would involve them traveling to that place.

 

[Malamute]

I hated how the doors on my 4runner automatically locked and unlocked, I searched online and found that you can reprogram them pretty easily yourself. I looked up youtubes and other info, there was several ways to program them, I chose no auto at all, only manual lock and unlock.

One thing many do thats a really bad idea is leave their vehicle unlocked when getting gas. Thieves take advantage of people being distracted while pumping gas and slink up low on the opposite side and open the door and reach in to take anything they can reach. Seeing videos of it, most never realize it happened until they discover things missing. LOCK THOSE DOORS!!! Standing next to the vehicle is absolutely no guarantee you wont have things stolen or someone get in your vehicle.

Not letting your fuel get so low you have to get gas at bad times and places can also reduce exposure to risk. Many dont let it get below half before fueling up.

 

[maki2]

They had electronic door locks 67 years ago? ....

Our car had 5 remote control door locks in the 1950s. Make that 6 if our father was also in the car

 

[scaredycat72]

I have a 2020 Santa Fe that came with the auto lock turned on but I would have had to turn on the auto unlock.

That being said, always be cautious but remember self-defense people are just like home security people. They stay in business by keeping people scared of all the "what if's". I'm from a criminally-inclined family and I've dated many thieves in my younger life, including car thieves. No one had time to hang out in a parking lot hoping someone would just happen to pull up beside them in a car with auto unlocks that were on. The chance of that happening is slim. Plus hanging around anywhere brings unwanted notice and attention. Even if they wanted to steal someone's car from their house, they weren't going to hang around outside hoping to catch them driving home with the auto unlocks turned on. If they really want your specific car, they might even follow you home, but they're not about to wait around hoping you come home (and it's unlikely anyone is camping in the kind of vehicle worth following someone home to steal).

If someone has the kind of motivation and determination to wait for you, it's personal. They're risking being seen, being recorded, and being reported, just to harm you. Think stalker or ex, not car thief.

 

[NctryBen]

Bad idea would be someone trying to steal my truck with Kira in it... I enjoy watching would be thieves turn around to live another day... usually checking their pants. Haha! With video, trackers and alarms it amazes me anyone even tries. Then toss in a guard dog...

 

[abnorm]

Kira is such a BIG lovable beauty...........BUT when she's in HER truck.........OMG !

 

[tx2sturgis]

Even locked doors dont guarantee the safety of pets inside:

https://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/stolen-search-rescue-dogs-spotted-in-amarillo

 

[user 423]

Our car had 5 remote control door locks in the 1950s. Make that 6 if our father was also in the car

Your 1950's family car may have had electric locks but it's unlikely that it had the auto unlock feature that BP is referring to.

 

[user 423]

these robberies and carjackings happens quite frequently, esp at gas stations and convenience stores.

Probably happens a lot in most large cities.

 

[Morgana]

There's a big difference between taking basic common-sense self-defense precautions (or advising others to do so) and living in fear (or creating fear in others).

Not all self-defense and home-security professionals exaggerate danger; these lines of work can be as honorable/dishonorable as any other. One of the most well-known self-defense experts -- who has had repeated plugs here, for good reason, and here we go again, Gavin DeBecker, The Gift of Fear -- focuses much of his message on when not to be afraid.

Whether the purpose of the attack on a person in a car is to steal the car, harm a stalk-ee, or commit random violence on a stranger, doesn't really matter for the purpose of this discussion (though I'm sure it does to the individual victims) -- attacks happen, and when there is something simple and easy you can do to make yourself less vulnerable to them, it makes sense to do it.

 

[JDub]

The doors on my vehicles are set to lock automatically and only unlock the driver door first, then all others after a second click on the remote. It's very easy to set them and the programming isn't any problem. Takes about 30 seconds. I have an Audi, a Jeep, and a Scion. Just read your manual, they're pretty much all the same. Good idea to keep things locked though IMO...

Cheers.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Your 1950's family car may have had electric locks but it's unlikely that it had the auto unlock feature that BP is referring to.

Growing up, us kids were the lock/unlock mechanism.

 

[user 423]

^Yes and I remember there were at least 3 times that one of us kids locked the keys in the trunk.