A car is stolen every 20 seconds in the U.S. But with these tricks, yours won’t be one of them!

You Will Need

* A steering wheel lock
* And opaque tape

Lock it : Lock it up and take the keys. It may sound obvious, but half of stolen cars are unlocked, and one out of five actually had the keys in them.

Hide valuables : Cover up or hide anything in your car that might make it a more tempting target, like expensive sunglasses, a fancy radar detector, or a CD player. Just these small items can make a thief choose your car over someone else’s.

Be extra careful on weekends. Friday and Saturdays are the most common days for car theft.
Turn the wheel : Many car thieves steal autos with a tow truck, so doing anything to make it look harder to tow—like turning your steering wheel to the right when you park, so the wheels are harder to move – can make a thief not want to bother with it.

Lock the wheel : Research shows that using an inexpensive steering wheel locking device or a steering column collar reduces the chances of your car becoming a target.

Hide your VIN : Put opaque tape over your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Most are posted right on the dashboard, where a thief can read the code and use it to request a duplicate key, citing the VIN as proof of ownership.

It’s a B-movie cliché—a lone female being stalked in a deserted, echo-y parking garage. Don’t become the star of a real-life horror show.

You Will Need

* An awareness of what’s going on around you

Don’t park next to a van : Don’t park next to a van—it’s the abductor’s vehicle of choice. If one is parked next to you when you return, get in the door furthest from it, even if that means going in the passenger side and clambering over the console.

Remember where you park : Take note of where you park, so you don’t have to wander around the parking lot later looking for your car.Try to park near the door you’ll be entering and exiting the garage from.

Take the elevator : Take the elevator instead of the stairs—the majority of parking garage attacks take place in stairwells. If you’re in an elevator and someone comes in who looks suspicious, trust your gut and get out.

Hold your keys : Get out your car keys before you reach the lot and hold them in your hand with the pointed end facing out. This serves a dual purpose: you won’t be fishing through your purse as you walk, and they can also serve as an impromptu weapon.If you want a personal protection device, a small siren or noisemaker is more effective in scaring off an attacker than pepper spray or mace.

Stay off the cell : Wait until you’re safely locked inside your car before IM’ing friends and checking messages. Attackers look for victims who are distracted; they’re easier targets.Keep one hand free. Attackers consider women with both hands occupied easy prey, since it’s more difficult to fight back.

Look ‘em in the eye : If you see someone shady you can’t avoid, look him straight in the eye. It subconsciously conveys that you’re neither afraid nor a victim. It also says you can’t be taken by surprise and that you’ll recognize his face later if necessary.If you are attacked, use your elbow—it’s the sharpest part of your body. A man’s eyes and groin are his most vulnerable body parts, so go for those if you can.

Lock your doors : The minute you step inside your car, lock it. Then put on your seat belt and leave the lot as soon as possible.

Was your car stolen—or did you just completely forget where you parked it? Here’s how to never have to figure that out again.

You Will Need

* A cell phone
* A ribbon (optional)

Get into a routine : If it’s part of your daily commute, park in the same place every time. After a while, your brain will automatically head to the spot without even thinking. Park next to a small spot : Park next to a tiny spot or a small, compact car. That way, when you get back, yours won’t be hidden behind a truck, SUV, or van.

Park under a light : If possible, choose a parking spot that’s underneath a light. Not only is this safer, but your eyes are automatically drawn to the lights in a parking garage—so you’ll quickly spot your car.Tie something bright, like a ribbon, on your roof rack or antenna (if it’s fixed) so you can easily spot it from across the lot.

Think of a jingle : Compose a little song or jingle in your head that describes the parking spot. Studies show the less sense it makes, the better you’ll remember it! Just swap out the lyrics to your favorite tune.

Text it : If you’re really worried you won’t remember, simply text the location to yourself. If you’re charged for texting, just enter the details somewhere in your phone where you can easily delete them later, like the contact section.

Take a final look : Take a look back at your car as you walk away. A recent study found that people who took a final look at something remembered the details better than those who didn’t. Now don’t worry—you’ll see your car again!

Reduce your chances of finding your car with glass all over the seats and a missing stereo with these simple precautions.

You Will Need

* Common sense
* Diligence
* A cargo cover (optional)

Remove loose items : Remove all loose items and packages from your car and store them in the trunk. You should never store valuables like your iPod or a detachable GPS.device in your car, but even a visible CD or tape will let a thief know you have a stereo that’s likely worth stealing.If your vehicle doesn’t have a trunk, consider getting a cover for its cargo compartment.

Hide your stereo : Cheap and oddly shaped factory-issued stereos tend not to interest thieves—nor do basic jacks that you use to power an mp3 player that you take with you. Otherwise, get a stereo with a detachable faceplate, and make sure to always remove it when you exit the car.Don’t let your speakers give you away: make sure yours are inconspicuous.

Lock your doors : Always lock your car doors when you’re away from your car—even if you’ll only be gone a minute.

Keep windows up : Check that your car windows are up before leaving the car. Passengers often slip them down for a little air and then forget to close them again.

Don’t hide a spare key : Don’t leave a spare key on your car. Thieves aren’t stupid – if you’ve got a spare hidden in a magnet somewhere, chances are they’ll find it.

Park in public, well-lighted areas : If you can, park your car in a well-trafficked, well-lighted area.Thieves often monitor mall parking lots. So if you make a trip to your car to drop off some packages but intend to continue shopping, move your car to another spot.

Hang a sign : Hang a sign in your car windows that says there’s nothing worth stealing inside. When folks in Charlotte, North Carolina, did that, there was a noticeable drop in break-ins.