Airbags are lifesaving devices that help protect you in the event of an accident. Unfortunately, they’re also incredibly valuable on the black market—and airbag theft is on the rise. It’s important to know how to prevent airbag theft so you don’t become a victim!
Airbags are found in the front of cars, and they’re designed to inflate in case of an accident so that they protect the driver and passengers. There are people who steal these devices for their own purposes. It’s true because airbags are highly valuable—they can be sold on the black market for thousands of dollars per unit—so people will go out of their way to take them from cars left unattended.
So how do we prevent this from happening?
Don’t worry—there are ways to prevent your airbags from being stolen. Here are some great tips and strategies recommended by automobile experts:
Invest In A Steering Lock
My number one tip to prevent airbag theft is to invest in a steering lock. Many of these locks come with an alarm to instantly alert you in case something tries to break into the car.
Airbags are a popular target for thieves because of how expensive they are. So, it’ll be difficult for the thief to remove the airbag with a classic steering lock in place.
The use of steering locks in automobiles is becoming increasingly popular. Theft of airbags is a contributing factor in this issue. They are also employed as an additional layer of security to startle thieves who break into keyless entry systems of vehicles.
Steering locks for automobiles, such as the Club steering wheel lock, are devices that are attached to the steering wheel and serve to disable its ability to turn.
The primary component of the apparatus is a bar that penetrates the middle of the steering wheel. Because of this, it will also help protect the airbag from being stolen.
There are some systems that, in addition to Club steering locks, cover the complete steering wheel. These will provide an even higher level of defense against the theft of airbags.
The business that produces the classic Club gadget is called Winner International, and they also produce something called the Club Quad Lock System. This system is constructed with extenders that latch onto the steering wheel. On the website of the manufacturer, it can be purchased for $42.99.
(Eduarda dePaula | Find By Plate, Dean Lee | Sealions)
Carefully Choose Where To Park
It can be difficult to find the right parking spot. However, it would be worth it if you can prevent airbag theft. It’s best to park close to the entrance where you would go as much as possible.
If you’re going inside a building, park near the entrance. Doing so will ensure that there’s high pedestrian traffic within the area surrounding your car. Plenty of pedestrians equal to a lot of eyes seeing your auto.
It would also be ideal to park in a well-lit area. Darkness will only invite would-be thieves. Surrounding light can make your vehicle visible, making it easier for others to see if there’s somebody trying to steal your airbags. Brightness will deter people from touching or even stealing from your car.
Park where you can easily access your car. Even if a parking space is well-lit and nearby, it’s useless if it’s hard to get your auto. Choose a space where you can go within a few seconds if something happens. It should have ample walking space and maybe enough area where you can run without falling.
The space should have room for others to help you when you need them to. It’s also ideal if you can open your doors without obstructing would-be helpers.
Make Sure Your Car’s Alarms Are Working Properly
If you don’t want to be surprised by a stolen airbag, it’s best to check your car’s alarm regularly. If the alarm is not working properly and needs to be reprogrammed or reset, do so as soon as possible.
Your car may have a button that can be pressed to deactivate the alarm if it goes off accidentally—don’t forget where this button is located! You should also make sure that there are no other ways for someone to disable your alarm without permission.
In many cases, thieves will use sophisticated tools like transponders in order to bypass security systems on vehicles; these tools can detect signals from nearby key fobs and allow criminals access to cars without setting off alarms or breaking windows.
One way around this tactic is to make sure that both of your key fobs have batteries in them at all times; if they’re unable to detect each other while inside the vehicle (or even just within range), thieves won’t be able to enter without some form of interference happening first.
Install a Kill Switch
A kill switch is a tool that enables you to turn off your car’s electrical system. This can be done by disabling the ignition, removing the battery and disconnecting all wiring going into it, or installing some sort of hidden kill switch that only allows someone who knows where it is to activate it.
When thieves try driving off with your car without knowing how to access this function, they’ll quickly be thwarted by their inability to start the car’s engine and drive away with it.
The process of installing a kill switch varies from vehicle type but usually involves opening up the dashboard at least partially so that wires can be accessed easily (once inside, there maybe two or three different sets).
There are several types of hidden kill switches available online which provide instructions on how best to install them in each type of vehicle; check those out before attempting this project yourself!
Set Up A Car Security Camera
Car security cameras are the best way to deter theft. They’re cheap and easy to install, and they can help you prove that your car was at the scene if it gets stolen. You can also use them to capture video of any airbag tampering that happens before an accident occurs.
Upgrade To A Heavy-Duty Steering Wheel Lock
A heavy-duty steering wheel lock is one of the most effective ways to prevent airbag theft. This type of lock is designed to physically prevent the steering wheel from being turned or remove, making it difficult (not impossible) for thieves to steal the airbag or drive your car away.
Moreover, steering locks are visible from the outside of the car. As a result, the thief will be unwilling to waste time removing the lock and then steal the steering wheel. Instead, he will go somewhere else which is easier to steal.
Lastly, steering locks are not very expensive. On the other hand, a steering wheel replacement can cost you 4-5 times more than a steering lock and it is always better to be safe than sorry.
(Craig Campbell | Auto Parts Guideline)
Don’t Park Your Vehicle Near Large Automobiles
Keep an eye out for large vans parked in the vicinity as they block the view of walking passengers nearby. It becomes easier for someone to take out your airbag.
Often drivers just park their cars without giving much thought to who is parked right next to them. It is advisable to park in an area where people can intervene if they see someone suspicious messing around. So, try not to choose a secluded dark alley or the lowest basement of your office. That’s because there is a higher chance of airbag theft in these areas.
Use the Club Theft Protection Device
Another way to prevent airbag theft is to install a club lock system. You can find it on Winter International’s website. This lock system is hooked up to the steering wheel, which can be opened only with a key. It is quite easy to use and installs within seconds.
Club theft protection is not only an inexpensive option. But it is also a good choice for anyone who lives in an area with frequent airbag theft episodes. Even though the design has some flaws, it’s still an effective deterrent.
(David Clelland | Infiniti Tracking)
Switch To Using Rare Screws
The easiest thing you can do is just change the screws that hold the airbag on, with some bolt pattern that is rear and the thieves will not have tools for opening that bolt easily. Bolt patterns like one-way or double square screws, also a bolt that has eight points inside instead of six can be useful.
(Michael Kim | Evcharger Reviews)
Park in a Well-Lit Area
It’s necessary to choose a safe area to park your car. Parking in a dark, shady corner means that you’re just straight up walking into a lion’s den. It makes your car way more vulnerable to theft, especially at night.
Find a well-lit parking lot or garage, preferably one that’s near an exit with motion detectors. Motion detectors will cause lights to turn on when someone walks by them, making your vehicle more visible to passersby and less likely to be targeted by thieves.
The spot you choose must have an influx of high traffic. It’s also best if police officers constantly patrol that area and/or it has working CCTV cameras. So, even in case of theft, you can simply watch the footage to find out who the thief is and then take the required action.
(Eduarda dePaula | Find by Plate)
Use the DISKLOK Steering Wheel Lock
Thieves are becoming increasingly clever in this modern day and age, and an anti-theft device has become a necessity.
I recommend choosing DISKLOK to prevent airbag theft. This device has won multiple awards for its safety and durability. It prevents airbag theft thanks to the high visual deterrent effect. The stainless structure of this device makes it difficult for the thief to cut through, making it an ideal anti-theft device.
Disklok is the best steering lock out there. It is tamper-proof and is available in 3 different sizes. It’ll take a lot of time for a thief to figure out how the lock works, making his theft a failed attempt.
(Zach Wimpey | Craig and Landreth Cars)
Double-Check that Your Vehicle Is Locked Before You Leave
When you are leaving your vehicle, be sure to check that it is locked. If you have a keyless car, take your keys with you when leaving the vehicle.
If possible, lock your door manually before walking away from it. In a public parking lot, check that all of the doors are locked before leaving for good.
When Parked at Home, Make Sure That Security Cameras Cover Your Car
If you have a CCTV or doorbell camera, make sure it covers the entirety of your car and the space where it is parked. You may even want to install multiple cameras so that you have one pointed at each side and underneath, which is optimal for night vision (or during any time of day).
Keep in mind that if you’re using an existing device, it may not be equipped with night vision capabilities. If this is the case, consider buying a new device—not only will they be more expensive upfront but also require some extra work in terms of installation.
Make sure that nothing obstructs the view of your cameras at all times: trees, bushes/hedges/etc., mailboxes and signs should all be moved out of their way if possible so as not to block their views; otherwise they won’t be able to catch anyone approaching or attempting theft!
Park In A Garage, If You Have One
It’s no secret that airbags are valuable, and thieves will go to great lengths to get their hands on them. You can reduce the chance of your car being targeted by keeping it out of sight and making sure it’s locked up at all times.
If you have a garage, make sure to park in it whenever possible. This is the most effective way to keep your car’s airbag safe from thieves.
Watch for Suspicious Activity
Keep an eye out for suspicious activity around cars that have already been broken into or are left unlocked near yours, especially at night and on weekends when fewer people are around.
This may help prevent opportunistic thieves who might otherwise target vehicles with visible damage as part of their “modus operandi” (MO).
Conclusion
So… that’s it! We’ve covered 15 ways to prevent airbag theft, and we hope you learned something new.
Airbag theft is a serious problem that affects many people, so it’s important that you take steps to protect yourself and your car. The tips in this blog post will help you keep your airbags safe from thieves.
If you have any questions or concerns about the information we provided, feel free to reach out to us! We are always happy to help.
Thank you for reading, and drive safely!
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PS: Thanks to everyone who contributed their tips for preventing airbag theft. We’ll be sure to keep this article updated with any new information that comes in, so please let us know if you have any other tips or suggestions!
