Getting your car stolen is a stressful possibility so it’s important to make sure that you do everything you can to put thieves off. Millions of cars are stolen each year with thieves coming up with new ways to steal. Many drivers may invest in alarms, tracking devices or deterrents but an expert has revealed what the best things you can do are.
Kazimieras Urbonas, supplier excellence manager at Ovoko, an online marketplace for used car parts, explained that there is a basic parking technique that can make your vehicle significantly less attractive to opportunistic thieves. “Most people don’t realise that something as simple as how you position your wheels when parking can act as a powerful theft deterrent,” Mr Urbonas said.
“It’s a method that costs absolutely nothing but can save you from the headache and expense of dealing with a stolen vehicle.”
Urbonas says the wheel positioning technique can be very effective, reports Wales Online. When wheels are positioned correctly, they create physical barriers that make it much harder for thieves to drive away quickly with your car.
“Thieves typically want to steal vehicles as quickly and quietly as possible,” said Mr Urbonas.
“If they have to spend extra time manoeuvring or risk getting stuck, many will simply move on to an easier target.”
The technique works by using your wheels to either lock against the curb or create steering resistance that prevents a smooth getaway.
This is particularly effective against opportunistic thieves who rely on speed rather than sophisticated tools.
“While this technique does require car owners to straighten their wheels before driving away, the minor inconvenience is far outweighed by the security benefit,” Mr Urbonas added.
“The few extra seconds it takes you to adjust your wheels could save you weeks of dealing with insurance claims, police reports, and finding replacement transportation.”
Mr Urbonas has broken down the technique into three simple scenarios that cover virtually every parking situation drivers encounter. When parking on an uphill slope, turn your wheels away from the curb.
The front wheel will catch against the curb when it is moved, making it nearly impossible to drive away without reversing first.
Thieves won’t want to have to do a three-point turn, says Urbonas. Instead, they are looking for a quick escape.
For downhill parking, turn your wheels toward the curb. If the car rolls forward, the front wheel will wedge against the curb, preventing the vehicle from rolling into traffic and making it extremely difficult to drive away normally.
Even on level ground, positioning your wheels at a sharp angle to either side creates steering resistance.
Urbonas says: “A thief scanning a row of parked cars will naturally gravitate toward the one that looks easiest to steal.
“When your wheels are positioned correctly, you’re essentially putting up a ‘this car will be difficult’ sign without spending a penny.
“You don’t always need high-tech solutions – sometimes the most effective defence is simply making your car less convenient to steal than the one next to it.”