When the theft is getting more complex and high-tech, we, car drivers, also have to upgrade ourselves' knowledge and provide better protection. Check out how to make your car more secure now!

Recent reports from the Nigerian FRSC (Federal Road Safety Corps) show that there has been a drastic drop in the rate at which cars get stolen in the last decade. However, that doesn't negate the fact that vehicles still get missing on a weekly basis across the country. To be exact, over a thousand cars go missing annually in Nigeria. Every car owner prays that their automobile don't get counted someday. But you can't just hope without taking certain proactive measures to ensure that your vehicle is safe at all times. Therefore, here is how to make your car more secure in 8 easy steps, brought to you by Naijauto.com!

1. Install an alarm in your car

Installing a car alarm in your vehicle isn't as difficult as installing a new engine. Newer cars come with the alarm pre-installed but you can get a tech expert to fix one for you if you drive an old model automobile.

The benefits of this car alarm are numerous. It not only wakes up your neighbours when someone tries to break into your car, but it also alerts you. Secondly, no thief will be interested in stealing a car that has drawn the attention of all and sundry. The alarm might not prevent them from stealing the vehicle or valuables therein, but will definitely put any intruder off.


An intruder won't bother breaking into your car once the alarm goes off

2. Install an immobiliser

In case you've never heard, there's a system known as an immobiliser for cars. Once you have it installed in your car, it can't be driven by anyone without the specific key made for that vehicle. A thief might succeed in breaking into the car but will end up running away since the car won't move. If they even get to deactivate the immobiliser, it will still lengthen their time of unlocking it.

Hence, most car robbers rather not touch a car with an immobiliser. Cars in the UK made from the early 2000s come with this feature. You can get one installed in your Nigerian car for a few thousands of naira.

3. Get a car tracker

Car trackers have become quite popular in Nigeria. This is probably one of the reasons the rate of car theft dropped in the last 5 years around the country. You can check out some tech shops online or on major roads that carry out these car tracking system installation.

All they do is fix a transmitter in your vehicle at a hidden corner and connect it to your phone or a computer. The ease with which your car can be found is dependent on what kind of car tracker you subscribe for. There's the advanced VHF system that allows experts find your car anywhere it is in this world, even in a submarine under water. Then the common GPS type that can only find the car if it's within a given area.

4. Steering and pedal locks

Pedal locks used to be very common in the 90s. They are manual and can be spotted from the window. Once seen, a thief would normally not bother breaking into the vehicle. You can consider getting one as a means to help make your car more secure. Aside from the pedal locks, there are those for the steering wheel too. They prevent anyone from steering even the vehicle is on.


Even when the thief makes it to the cabin, with the locked steering wheel, they surrender

5. Park under lights or a CCTV camera

Asides having these security equipment installed in your vehicle, it's best to deter any potential intruder by making your car easily seen. When you go to the mall or even on your street, park under a streetlight or where lots of lights are shining. If there's a visible CCTV camera in the area, park your car directly underneath if possible. Since thieves won't like to be seen, they won't even bother breaking into the vehicle.

6. Colour your car bright and different

Nobody tries to steal car with my bright and different colour from the regular black, brown and silver colours. If there are lots of black cars in your neighborhood, spray yours white or pink. If there are white and silver cars, colour yours light blue or even red. Once the car can be easily noticed, thieves will be deterred from breaking into it.


Thieves are less likely to aim at bright and different colored cars

7. Lock your car at all times

When you park your vehicle briefly to take a leak or to quickly buy something across the road, lock the doors and windows. Anything can happen with those 60 seconds you spend outside the car. If possible, lock your doors, windows and sunroof even while driving. Anyone trying to intrude will encounter some difficulty and let you be.

8. Mark the vehicle numbers on different compartments

The final tip on how to make your car more secure is by marking the vehicle number and chassis number on other parts of the car. That way thieves won't bother stealing it. Many vehicles that get stolen end up in spare part shops. Knowing many buyers won't want to buy an auto part with a number engraved on it, will discourage anyone from stealing your vehicle.


An immobiliser makes it harder for ingenuines key to activate the door

Source: https://naijauto.com/safe-driving/make-car-more-secure-3843?utm_source=Nairaland&utm_medium=forum&utm_campaign=sprouting

5&6 are not efficient in Nigeria. How many streets have CCTV.