It's 11:00 At Night: Do You Know Where Your Car Is?

In 2007 alone, there were 1.09 million car thefts, with carjackings representing 3% of those thefts. While it does occur in primarily urban areas, car theft is prevalent nearly everywhere. So even though your new car has fancy fingerprint technology that allows only your thumb to start it, you should still take some precautions.
First off, don't live in California. In 2008, six of the top ten cities with the highest auto theft rates were in California, including Modesto, which held the inglorious top spot. The top ten states with the highest rates were California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, Michigan, Washington, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, and New York. As you can see, this list incorporates both coasts as well as middle America, proving that car theft knows no boundaries.
Even if you don't live in one of these states, it's still crucial to follow several simple steps to ensure you don't end up a victim. The most obvious of these rules is the one that dictates you never leave your car running with nobody inside. It doesn't matter if you just need to run into the post office to drop off a letter; an unattended running car is a magnet for thieves.
If you turn your car off before you get out, which you almost always should, make sure you take the keys with you. Leaving the keys in the car is just a bad idea. Besides having a great chance at locking yourself out, you are announcing to passing possible burglars that your car is open for business.
The same goes for any valuables. Never leave your wallet, purse, or even your iPod in a place where people can see it. All that does is give the thief more incentive to break into your vehicle. A locked door is no deterrent for a persistent criminals when a window is fairly easy to smash.
If you do happen to live in a city with a high auto theft rate, it doesn't hurt to take precautions in case your vehicle is stolen. This entails etching the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on different parts of the car, including windows, doors, fenders, and the trunk. This way, if unfortunately your vehicle is one of the ones taken, you have made life difficult for whoever stole it. With the markings on the parts, it will be tough for somebody to sell them.
Lastly, the old adage that you should park in a well-lit, occupied area always rings true. There is simply no reason to live your car on its own where there are no lights to dissuade scurrilous characters. If you are leaving your car in such an area, you are just asking for trouble.
Car alarms and steering wheel locks are solid upgrades for your vehicle, as is a fingerprint starter. Still, don't assume that these alone will prevent your car from being stolen. Constant vigilance is your greatest asset against that.