If you are considering heading off on a road trip, then you have a great experience ahead. Road trips are the kind of formative experiences that help us see new places, meet new people and strengthen the bonds we have with other people. Of course, any good road trip has a clear foundation:
Plenty of road trips fail because of something that goes wrong with the car. While there is nothing you can do if your car happens to break down or a part fails while you are on the journey, you can protect your car from being stolen, broken into and/or vandalized.
If you are unsure about how to best look after your car ahead of your road trip, use these tips from auto emergency locksmith Bradford to get started!
Road trips often produce unforgettable memories. To avoid the memories of your car being damaged or stolen, we recommend you pay attention to issues such as:
Look, many a road trip has been ruined due to breaking down before you get out of town. Make sure you test things like immobilizers, wheel pressure, safety features, radios, steering, brake fluids, and car batteries.
On a road trip, your attention can be taken up by everything from landmarks in the distance to the chatter of your traveling party. Therefore, it can be easy to miss things like locking your car doors or double-checking that all windows are rolled up. Take the time every time you leave your car to check:
The last two points are especially important, by the way. You would be shocked at how many cars get broken into because someone leaves the keys in the ignition! While many cars are now keyless, this is still a risk. A simple rule is to never store your car keys in the car itself, unless you are in the car with them. Having your spare car keys, too, means you can still drive in the event of losing your keys.
Any auto locksmith worth their salt will tell you to buy quality anti-theft car protectors. This might be an obvious step, but many drivers do not invest in such accessories. The first investment you should make is in a steering wheel lock. Even in the event that someone smashes the car window, the lock should prevent them from being able to get the car moving, at least, without making lots of noise!
It also makes sense to get a car alarm installed or turn on the car alarm that comes with your car. These two anti-theft devices cause enough alarm and raise enough attention that almost any criminal will think twice before trying to break into your car. Criminals look for easy targets as opposed to risks. You might even wish to include some bumper and front window stickers declaring your car is alarmed.
Auto locksmiths often get callouts from people who have found their car window smashed. Why? Because there was something valuable that caught the eye of a criminal. If you leave something lying in your car like a bag, a wallet/purse, an ID card, or anything that might attract attention, believe us when we say someone will want to try and claim it for themselves.
Make sure that any valuables you own are kept within the glove compartment of your car or the boot/trunk. If you transport anything to the boot of your vehicle, make sure you do so in a private space where nobody can see you; you never know who is watching. Make sure that you even remove loose change from plain view; hide everything you can in the glove compartment and/or car boot.
While many of us love the private nature of a road trip, sometimes it pays to have a lock on your location. In the event that you get lost or your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, a GPS tracker becomes invaluable. GPS trackers give you that extra peace of mind that road assistance or the police can find you in the event that you need some kind of additional support or protection.
GPS trackers are great for real-time monitoring. In the event that your car is stolen, the GPS tracker ensures that the police will have a much easier time tracking the car down. Just make sure that your GPS tracker is low profile in its design; you never want criminals to be alerted to the fact that you have a GPS fitted. Lastly, make sure any GPS you buy is compatible with your type of car/vehicle.
Parking is an often-ignored part of the road trip, but it is so important that you get your parking spot on. Parking in the wrong spot could lead to anything from fines to encouraging vandals and/or thieves to damage/steal your car. The first piece of advice is simple: try to park in a well-lit location as often as you can. Look for places with plenty of lighting and, ideally, security systems like CCTV cameras or security patrols. Even if you need to pay for this more secure parking, the cost is more than worth it.
Look for places where you have a clearly guarded entrance and exit, too, as this makes it harder for vandals and thieves to enter. By contrast, avoid parking somewhere that is quiet, out of the way and/or has no security included. Criminals commit auto crimes in places where cars are vulnerable, out of sight, or not protected by public traffic. Keep your car as close to other vehicles and in busy places as you can; it might make parking harder/more expensive, but it lessens the risk considerably.
A road trip should be one of those memorable stories that you can tell friends and family about for years. However, it only takes one mistake to leave you facing a problem ranging from a breakdown to your vehicle being stolen. By taking the above into account, you should be far more prepared for the risk and reward of your upcoming road trip.
Last but not least: save the number of a local auto locksmith in case of emergency!
