- 1). Lock your car at all times. The University of Arizona police department reports that half of all stolen cars were unlocked at the time of the theft. If the car is unlocked, it is much easier for a thief to get the hood open to access the engine, since most models have a hood latch that can be popped only from inside the vehicle.
- 2). Lock up your car at night. If you have a garage, store the car inside once the sun goes down or if you're not using it for any length of time. If a garage is not available, park the car in a well-lit area that is ideally visible from your home. Engine thieves prefer darkness so they can act without being seen and they look for easy targets that can be opened quickly.
- 3). Use attended lots when parking away from home. This ensures a witness will be around and the very presence of another person around your car can deter thieves from trying to steal engine components.
- 4). Install an alarm system. Alarms do not only help prevent the car itself from being stolen, but they also activate when the car is breached in any way, which includes opening a door or window to get at the hood latch or the forcing open of the hood itself. This helps deter thieves since they are likely to flee without taking anything as soon as a loud noise draws attention to them.
Source...