Author: Pop-A-Lock

Unfortunately, vehicle break-ins are an all-too-common occurrence. While there is no way to guarantee that you’ll never experience a break-in, there are specific precautions you can take to minimize the likelihood that it will happen. Remember that most crimes like these are crimes of convenience, so by implementing these extra steps, you can make it more difficult or unappealing to a would-be thief to break into your vehicle.

Below, we’ve included eight tips for protecting your car from break-ins.

1. Lock your car doors and roll up the windows. Whenever you park, double check to see if your doors are locked and your windows are closed. In many cases, thieves look for unlocked cars as it is much  easier for them to steal items inside. Thieves do not want to bust a window or pick a lock if they don’t have to, because the longer they spend at the car, the more likely it is that someone will see them. Be sure to keep your car locked while you are driving, too. For instance, if your doors are unlocked, a carjacker could hop in while you’re stopped at a light!
2. Park in well-lit areas.  Parking in a dark or shadowy areas makes it easier for thieves to break in without being seen. Thieves prefer to operate in the dark and are less likely to break into a car if it is in a well-lit area. If you have to park on the street at night, try to park under a street light.
3. Install a security system and advertise it. An anti-theft system such as a steering wheel lock, ignition cut-off, or window alarm can be effective at preventing a burglary. A security system may include options such as motion sensors and sirens that sound if someone breaks in. Some new systems even have two-way communication so that when the alarm goes off, you are notified on your smartphone. Also, slapping a car alarm sticker on your window can help deter thieves – even if you don’t actually have a car alarm.
4. Hide valuables. It’s best to avoid keeping any valuables in your car, but in times when you have to, be sure to cover them with a blanket or towel,  or put them in the trunk. Place small valuables in the center console or glove box. If valuables in your vehicle are visible, it drastically increases the chance a thief will target your car.

5. Tint your windows. Window tint can make it difficult to see inside your car, and, if thieves can’t see into your vehicle, they’ll be less likely to break in because they don’t know that anything valuable is inside.  However, be sure to check the window tint regulations in your state. The front windshield is typically the most restrictive. A good rule of thumb for side windows is to choose tinting that allows for 35% of visible light through.

6. Make your stereo less eye-catching. Stereo systems draw the attention of thieves and are among the most commonly stolen items during car break-ins. If you have an expensive stereo, consider removing the radio faceplate and putting it in your glove box whenever you leave your vehicle. A stereo without a faceplate makes it less valuable and therefore less likely to be stolen. Also, don’t put a decal advertising the brand of your stereo, as a noticeable name brand could be an appealing target for thieves.
7. Don’t leave your car running. While you may be tempted to leave your car on if you’re just popping into a convenience store for a minute, that short period of time still gives someone a chance to jump in and steal your car. According to the FBI, in 2016 there were more than 765,000 thefts of motor vehicles in the United States.  Furthermore, in most states, it’s against the law to leave your car unattended and running.
8. Do not park in places that don’t feel safe. Trust your instincts. Avoid places with no lights and no security cameras. If possible, avoid a secluded parking lot, as that allows thieves to break into your car with less risk of being seen. If you park where there are other cars, thieves may target a more vulnerable car instead of yours. Try not to park in places where you see people loitering. Sometimes thieves hang around and wait for people to park so they can then look in the car to see if there are valuables inside.

Criminals often prey on easy victims. Thieves are opportunistic, and if you eliminate their opportunities for theft, you are far less likely to become a target. Following the above tips should significantly decrease the chance that your car gets broken into. Always use common sense and stay safe.

Locked Out? Call Pop-A-Lock for Help

The expert locksmiths at Pop-A-Lock know that sometimes those same security systems that help prevent thieves from breaking in can also keep us out of our own vehicles! If you’ve locked your keys in your car or lost your keys, don’t try to break into your car to get them. Instead, contact one of our fast and friendly technicians for help. We’re available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help you get back into your vehicle and on the road.

The remote proximity key – also known as “keyless entry” – allows you to open your vehicle and start it without touching the electronic key fob, a small device that transmits a code to a computer in the car when in close range. In vehicles with keyless, push-button ignition, the fob is recognized by the vehicle to authorize its operation. The fob can stay in the driver’s pocket or purse, as the ignition switch is a button on the dash.

This increasingly common technology has become a part of everyday cars, not just luxury models as it once was. Some car manufacturers even have smartphone apps, whose functions include remote starting.

While keyless entry and push-button ignition technology is convenient, it is not without dangers. In fact, a recent New York Times report found proximity keys could be partially responsible for dozens of fatalities in the United States.

The article tells the story of a Florida man who drove his SUV into his home garage and entered his house with the key fob, believing that the car was turned off. About 30 hours later, the man was found dead, having been killed by the carbon monoxide that engulfed his home while he was asleep. According to the Times, the man was among at least 25 people who were killed by carbon monoxide in the  United States since 2006, after a keyless-ignition vehicle was accidentally left running in a garage.

Safety watchdog groups have documented instances of drivers pushing the button to stop the engine before putting the vehicle in park, allowing their vehicle to roll away. Many car systems emit warnings or even shut down after the driver exits the car, and the fob is detected leaving with them. You could leave the fob in the car’s cup holder, for example, then after you exit, the vehicle doesn’t know to turn off.

Hybrid cars pose problems as well. They are very quiet when in electric mode – which they are often in when sitting still after parking. A driver can assume the car is shut down because the engine isn’t running. However, the vehicle may not be truly off. The engine could restart itself, to adjust the climate control, for instance, and therefore send carbon monoxide into the home. Make sure that whenever you enter your home,  any car parked in the garage is shut off. Being extra careful about this can prevent a tragedy.

Allow the Experts to Duplicate or Replace Your Fob or Key

If you need a new key or fob for your vehicle, you need a highly skilled and trained professional to ensure it will start your vehicle. At Pop-A-Lock, our key replacement services are affordable and reliable. We can get the job done much quicker – and cheaper – than the dealership. Call Pop-A-Lock today for help with:

• transponder keys
• fobs
• keyless remotes
• dealer chip keys programmed on-site
• remotes programmed
• electronic keys
• key replacements
• VATS keys

We are available 24/7 to meet your automobile key needs. Pop-A-Lock technicians can create the key you need on the spot. Our technicians are trained to program transponder, VAT, and smart keys for any vehicle. Our work is of the highest quality – guaranteed!

What is a VATS Key?

The safety of our vehicles is extremely important to all of us. VATS keys, introduced by GM in 1986, were one of the first  keys to provide extra security measures, and therefore extra peace of mind that a vehicle is as safe as possible. VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System) keys were first used on Corvettes, because, as you can imagine, the sports car was a major target for thieves.

Since the invention of the VATS key did so well to reduce the number of stolen Corvettes, GM expanded the system to other models such as the Camaro, Firebird, and Cadillac Seville vehicles in their later models. VATS keys then became an industry standard as they appeared in other vehicles such as Buicks. The original VATS systems were popular through the early 2000s, and one of the last vehicles released with a traditional VATS system was the 2003 Firebird. The original VATS key systems paved the way for the levels of electronic vehicle security we have today.

Traditional Keys

There are a number of differences between traditional keys and VATS keys. Traditional mechanical keys provide just a basic level of security to vehicles. Two of the most common types of traditional mechanical keys are edge cut keys and side-winder keys.

Edge cut keys are the standard key variety that many vehicles have used for decades. The cuts are on the edge of the keys, and they can be copied by most standard key machines.

High security, or side-winder keys, offer a little more security than edge cut keys as they cannot be copied by standard key machines. In order to copy these keys, a particular type of machine must be used to engrave cut specifications into the key.

VATS Keys and How They Work

VATS keys are essentially the first electronic keys and, as such, provide a much-needed improvement in vehicle safety from their predecessors. VATS keys have resistors embedded in them, and when someone inserts a VATS key into the ignition of their vehicle, an electrical current runs through the resistor inside. The resistor value is read by a computer inside the car, and if it is not the same as the value in the computer’s memory, the car will not be able to start. This function provides extra security because a few minutes of stalling is plenty of time for a car thief to choose another vehicle to pursue.

Also, duplicating a VATS key is not as simple as going to a key copier at the store. In order to copy a VATS key, a locksmith will use a VATS interrogator to determine the resistance value of the key as it is important that they match, and then the cuts can be copied onto the blank key.

The Remote Keys of Today

Electronic keys have certainly come a long way since the release of the original VATS keys in the mid ‘80s. Nowadays, many of us have remote buttons we can use to lock and unlock our cars at the very least. Many vehicles now have keypads on which you can enter a code to unlock your car, and even push-to-start buttons that render a standard key unnecessary.

Proximity technology of locking and unlocking remotes that come with newer vehicles is a way push-to-start vehicles can remain safe, as long as the remotes stay in the possession of the vehicle’s owner. Today’s modern remote key fobs often have a number of functions in addition to locking and unlocking cars, including folding down mirrors, opening windows and sunroofs, and even remotely starting cars. Because car key technology is ever-advancing, locksmiths keep up with trends and will be able to answer any key-related questions you may have.

Need Help? Call the Key Experts at Pop-A-Lock

Regardless of the type of key or vehicle you have, the experts at Pop-A-Lock have the knowledge and trained technicians you need to retrieve keys locked in your car, or help replace lost or stolen keys. Founded in 1991 in Lafayette, Louisiana, we have over two and a half decades of experience as trained, educated, and dedicated locksmiths. All of our technicians are trained on the most up-to-date locksmith technology including VATS keys and any other type of vehicle key you have, and we are proud to serve more than 8,500 communities. Visit our website to find the Pop-A-Lock nearest you. We’re there when you need us.