How to Protect Your Car from Theft During Easter

During Easter, the DGT anticipates around 16.5 million road trips in Spain by 2025. This high volume of traffic raises concerns not only about potential traffic jams but also about vehicle security, as unfortunately, it is also a time when thefts increase.

According to data from the Ministry of the Interior, during the first quarter of 2024, which included Easter, there were 8,031 vehicle thefts in Spain, marking a 2.4% increase compared to the same period the previous year.

While each theft case has its own peculiarities, LoJack has identified recurring patterns in the methods used by criminals.

As travel increases, so do the risks of car or motorcycle theft. LoJack offers the following recommendations to protect your vehicle both during the journey and while parked:

One of the most common mistakes is leaving valuable belongings visible inside the car. This not only exposes your possessions but, in some cases, thieves can obtain documents like insurance or repair bills that reveal your home address. Remember, never leave your house keys inside the car.

Never leave the car running or with the keys inside while you stop, even if it's just for a few seconds to make any kind of transaction or if the location is considered safe. It's too tempting for opportunists.

Many vehicle thefts occur in parking lots or on public roads. Ideally, avoid parking in areas with little foot traffic. If you need to park on the street, do so in a well-lit area with more activity. Additionally, it's important to avoid leaving the car parked for long periods (especially if you're traveling by train or plane and leave the car near home) in the same place. Forgetting to fully close a window or properly lock the vehicle can make it easier for thieves to gain access.

Many vehicle manufacturers offer a smartphone app with various features, such as checking fuel levels or battery charge, programming the climate control, and others that can alert drivers, like notifications for an unlocked vehicle or an open window. If you've forgotten to lock the car, the app will notify you, protecting you from a potential scare. Check if your vehicle has this feature and take advantage of it if it does.

To protect your vehicle, it's advisable to invest in traditional anti-theft systems. Pedal locks and steering wheel locks with alarms are effective options to make it harder for thieves to gain access.

If the parking area is highly crowded or you fear there might be thieves around, use the physical key to lock your vehicle. This way, you avoid having the signal from the remote lock duplicated through a signal capturer, a method that has unfortunately caused many problems.

If someone approaches your vehicle while you're driving in the city or on the road to warn you that something is wrong, like a flat tire or a blown light, or even if you hear a strange noise, avoid stopping to check it in an isolated area. You don't know if the other person is using this strategy to steal your vehicle. If you really have a problem, the vehicle itself is likely to alert you through its instrumentation, but if you still want to check it carefully from the outside, try to stop in a busy street, a shopping center, or wait until you reach your destination.

Consider installing a battery disconnect switch, especially if your vehicle will be parked for a long time. Additionally, a simple yet effective measure is to engrave the vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate on the windows or other parts of the car. This unique code makes it difficult for thieves to change vehicle parts, like windows, to avoid identification.

As an additional security measure, one of the most effective systems to protect your vehicle against theft is the installation of LoJack's vehicle tracking and recovery technology. In case of theft, this system allows you to locate your vehicle and significantly increases the chances of recovery in a short period of time in collaboration with the authorities.

This technology provides an additional layer of protection, both on long trips and during daily parking this Easter, maximizing your peace of mind at all times.