Tips for not getting your system stolen

bigaudiofanat · 01-04-2010, 08:01 PM

As many installs as i have done it saddens me to even say that one of them was jacked and everything stolen. That is why I am going to try to give some people some tips to prevent this.

Do not show off

This may seem pretty obvious but the fact is many people do it. It is one thing to drive down the road with the system up and the windows down. But it is another when you are a mile away from your house or pulling into a parking lot. Feel free to do it when you leave if you are not heading right across the street to another store.

Another part of this is if you are at a "car show" that is not organized such as a night parking lot gathering. Be very careful who you show your setup to. Especially in my area this tends to happen a lot where someone will show there system off and end up 2 days later getting it jacked.

Tint rear window
Well most likely when you had a new system put in you installed a rear view camera. So you probably do not turn around anymore. If you have anything more than a head unit such as a sub or amp installed in the trunk and it is not hidden. Your best defense from thefts eyes is to tint your rear window.

Shops
This is how we believe a install I did got jacked. A fellow friend and install went to a shop to believe it or not get tint put on. Within 2 days later the car and system were gone and were found 3 weeks later a half a mile form the shop. Anyway watch who you let work on your car. I am not trying to scare anyone and you all probably make good judgment calls on who you choose to work on your car. None the less tread softly.

Alarm
As of right now I do not know many z's that have had an alarm installed. However there is always time to start. Even a "fake alarm armed light" sometimes can be enough and are very cheap and easy to install.

Fake faceplate or removable
I know most z owners own double din head units which can not be removed. No worries though. If you go on ebay or google and do a little searching you will find fake stock faceplates. These go right over your real one without harming anything and will make it look as if a stock head unit is installed. Or if you have a single din most likely it has a removable faceplate. Remove it. It takes a few seconds and you can even put it in your glove box if you really dont want to carry it around.

Distance in parking lots
This probably most of you do anyway. But if your car is in the middle of no where in a parking lot and under or near good light. You have a very good chance that no one will touch it.

Blanket
This can help a lot in the case of a trunk with an exposed amp or sub. Using a fleece blanket that is close to the color of the carpet. You can easily cover up most of what is back there. This will give the illusion that there is nothing back there. Works well at night.

Kids
Even I know kids like to go on and on about who has this and who has that. That can be overheard by someone you did not want to hear it. Or "if you do" let them use the car

talk to them about what you want them to not do with the stereo while using the car.

I hope this helps some of you keep your systems safe and longer. If you have any questions please ask.

theDreamer · 01-04-2010, 08:37 PM

Do not put stickers of your audio gear on your car, it is a check list for thieves.
I am all for supporting a sponsor or vendor you like, but have a panel for display at shows.

bigaudiofanat · 01-04-2010, 08:52 PM

Very true and good point dreamer.

z350boy · 01-04-2010, 09:18 PM

What about installing a hidden second battery to run the alarm. That way a thief can't try to disable the alarm .

bigaudiofanat · 01-04-2010, 09:41 PM

True I hid my brain and a second battery in my civic and put false wires. I am just giving the common sense stuff to help protect against theft. Good one though.

CBRich · 01-04-2010, 09:47 PM

All good tips I hope I need soon.

cptspeed · 01-04-2010, 10:24 PM

Great tips. But don't put your faceplate in the glovebox.

Trips · 01-05-2010, 12:19 AM

I agree with Matt, I may just want to add if you have your New System included as part of your car Insurance this would help in the replacement of the System, in the event it gets Stolen...

kenchan · 01-05-2010, 10:32 AM

nice thread, big. you can never be too careful with car stuff even at your house or own driveway/parking garage.

i live in a secure neighborhood, but even so when im working on my cars and a neighbor calls me over for a chat, i ALWAYS close my garage door. i got some pretty expensive tools in there. Also i know contractors that do our lawns and stuff know which house has the goods. it might not be them, but their friends that might come around later to steal things.

it's best to keep low and be a little on the paranoid side at all times. be smart.

bigaudiofanat · 01-05-2010, 10:52 AM

Thanks man, ya my friend as I said went to a shop and got tint done. I even watched the guy as he pulled in the car turn up the stereo in the car. He told me later he was just testing it out. I did not trust them sure enough two days later the car is gone right from his driveway. I was trying to figure out why they asked for his address they said for warranty for the tint.

scruffydog · 01-05-2010, 11:50 AM

About parking, I would advice to not park in the middle of nowhere. It's actually better if you park closer to everyone else than to park in the middle of nowhere. One time at the mall, I parked my car in the middle of no where. Although there was enough daylight, someone still broke into my car and try to jack my sound system. And this is supposedly even with Security cars driving around...

As my girl and I walked to my car and found a guy inside my car and another blocking the back of my car from a distance, I ran to my car unfortunately the guy in my car jumped into the other car and took off just in time.

Luckily nothing was stolen at this point because I was only away for 40 mins (but my car's center console was pretty messed up). But I can tell you, my car had Limo tint all around and 25% in the front 2 windows. As I was reporting this to the security, some guy came up and said he saw the whole thing, but he thought the guy who tried stealing my system owned the car so he just sat in his car and didn't do anything. He even told the security that the guy was popping my hood, truck, etc. (Pretty much, his statement was uselss to me)

I don't have any suggestion, I'm only sharing my experience. I bought an aftermarket NAV system that can't take out the faceplate (most double din NAV head units can't). My car didn't have any stickers to show off anything. I did have a subtle body kit, but it was a very clean ride - not rice at all. It was the headunit that gave it away - also because I parked far away from the group of cars - actually it wasn't even that much further from the group....just far enough to not get dings. It was an open, bright area, bright place, and there was even a witness! But I have to admit, the theives had an exit strategy which made it more convenient.

The only precaution I can tell anyone to take from my experience is that park closer to the mall where there's more people and hope for the best. After this experience, I unlatched the mechanical rod that connects to the door's keyhole to the lock switch on the door so it's jimmy proof.

Btw, I also had one of those transponder clifford alarms that can send a alert to your pod that can send up to 1/4 mile, but it wasn't as trusty as it claims it to be. The 1/4 mile distance advertised is probably only in an open area.

This is the reason I am going with Factory systems now...I am not discouraging anyone from going aftermarket because I understand why people like going aftermarket with sound systems. But the more stuff you put on your ride, the more positive & negative attention you're gonna get.

molamann · 01-05-2010, 12:02 PM

I wish someone would take my factory Bose.

bigaudiofanat · 01-05-2010, 12:09 PM

If your car is more concealed by other cars robbers are more likely to go after that car than one that is isolated. Newer alarms range around 2 miles and seem to do well even a mile away.

LOL steal your bose system no one wants that.

kenchan · 01-05-2010, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

LOL steal your bose system no one wants that.

scruffydog · 01-05-2010, 01:02 PM

That's cool that the new alarm systems can go up to 2 mile. But even if someone trips off your alarm when you're 2 miles away, something still happened to your car and you're 2 miles away worrying and hoping nothing happened to your car. I doubt dashing to your car or calling the cops could reverse or undo any damage.

Like I said before, I am not discouraging anyone from getting a aftermarket unit, I've done research on them and they're all worth every cent for what they can do....but as for factory stuff.....I don't think anyone wants any factory NAV systems not because they suck, but because they don't have use for them for another car. The amount of trouble someone will have to go through to re-use a factory NAV (whether if it's a nissan or not) it takes a lot more work to even just to take the unit apart unlike a aftermarket. Only a person that has a specific motive in trying to get your factory NAV to fit will attempt to even steal it. (i.e. someone that has the exact same car as you but didn't have the NAV or a car they can make it work) For someone to steal a factory sound system that doesn't have NAV is plain stupid. First of all, given the time they have usually, they can only take the headunit....unless it's parked over night. The risk they're taking, it's much wiser to buy an aftermarket unit.

For an aftermarket unit, at most people just have to take apart a custom fit faceplate, which most people don't give a crap about breaking and then the system comes off just like any other aftermarket unit.

01-04-2010, 08:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 852	Tips for not getting your system stolen As many installs as i have done it saddens me to even say that one of them was jacked and everything stolen. That is why I am going to try to give some people some tips to prevent this. Do not show off This may seem pretty obvious but the fact is many people do it. It is one thing to drive down the road with the system up and the windows down. But it is another when you are a mile away from your house or pulling into a parking lot. Feel free to do it when you leave if you are not heading right across the street to another store. Another part of this is if you are at a "car show" that is not organized such as a night parking lot gathering. Be very careful who you show your setup to. Especially in my area this tends to happen a lot where someone will show there system off and end up 2 days later getting it jacked. Tint rear window Well most likely when you had a new system put in you installed a rear view camera. So you probably do not turn around anymore. If you have anything more than a head unit such as a sub or amp installed in the trunk and it is not hidden. Your best defense from thefts eyes is to tint your rear window. Shops This is how we believe a install I did got jacked. A fellow friend and install went to a shop to believe it or not get tint put on. Within 2 days later the car and system were gone and were found 3 weeks later a half a mile form the shop. Anyway watch who you let work on your car. I am not trying to scare anyone and you all probably make good judgment calls on who you choose to work on your car. None the less tread softly. Alarm As of right now I do not know many z's that have had an alarm installed. However there is always time to start. Even a "fake alarm armed light" sometimes can be enough and are very cheap and easy to install. Fake faceplate or removable I know most z owners own double din head units which can not be removed. No worries though. If you go on ebay or google and do a little searching you will find fake stock faceplates. These go right over your real one without harming anything and will make it look as if a stock head unit is installed. Or if you have a single din most likely it has a removable faceplate. Remove it. It takes a few seconds and you can even put it in your glove box if you really dont want to carry it around. Distance in parking lots This probably most of you do anyway. But if your car is in the middle of no where in a parking lot and under or near good light. You have a very good chance that no one will touch it. Blanket This can help a lot in the case of a trunk with an exposed amp or sub. Using a fleece blanket that is close to the color of the carpet. You can easily cover up most of what is back there. This will give the illusion that there is nothing back there. Works well at night. Kids Even I know kids like to go on and on about who has this and who has that. That can be overheard by someone you did not want to hear it. Or "if you do" let them use the car talk to them about what you want them to not do with the stereo while using the car. I hope this helps some of you keep your systems safe and longer. If you have any questions please ask. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/ Last edited by bigaudiofanat; 01-04-2010 at 08:03 PM.

01-04-2010, 08:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4210	Do not put stickers of your audio gear on your car, it is a check list for thieves. I am all for supporting a sponsor or vendor you like, but have a panel for display at shows. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram Last edited by theDreamer; 01-04-2010 at 08:39 PM.

01-04-2010, 08:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 852	Very true and good point dreamer. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

01-04-2010, 09:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 852	True I hid my brain and a second battery in my civic and put false wires. I am just giving the common sense stuff to help protect against theft. Good one though. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

01-05-2010, 12:19 AM	#8 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,728 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	I agree with Matt, I may just want to add if you have your New System included as part of your car Insurance this would help in the replacement of the System, in the event it gets Stolen... __________________

01-04-2010, 09:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
z350boy Base Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: East Coast Posts: 100 Drives: '05 Enthusiast Rep Power: 16	What about installing a hidden second battery to run the alarm. That way a thief can't try to disable the alarm .

01-04-2010, 09:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
CBRich A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SC Posts: 2,464 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 544	All good tips I hope I need soon.

01-04-2010, 10:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
cptspeed Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: tampa Posts: 799 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 16	Great tips. But don't put your faceplate in the glovebox.

01-05-2010, 10:32 AM	#9 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	nice thread, big. you can never be too careful with car stuff even at your house or own driveway/parking garage. i live in a secure neighborhood, but even so when im working on my cars and a neighbor calls me over for a chat, i ALWAYS close my garage door. i got some pretty expensive tools in there. Also i know contractors that do our lawns and stuff know which house has the goods. it might not be them, but their friends that might come around later to steal things. it's best to keep low and be a little on the paranoid side at all times. be smart.

01-05-2010, 10:52 AM	#10 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 852	Thanks man, ya my friend as I said went to a shop and got tint done. I even watched the guy as he pulled in the car turn up the stereo in the car. He told me later he was just testing it out. I did not trust them sure enough two days later the car is gone right from his driveway. I was trying to figure out why they asked for his address they said for warranty for the tint. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

01-05-2010, 11:50 AM	#11 (permalink)
scruffydog A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 1,113 Drives: with his eyes close Rep Power: 717	About parking, I would advice to not park in the middle of nowhere. It's actually better if you park closer to everyone else than to park in the middle of nowhere. One time at the mall, I parked my car in the middle of no where. Although there was enough daylight, someone still broke into my car and try to jack my sound system. And this is supposedly even with Security cars driving around... As my girl and I walked to my car and found a guy inside my car and another blocking the back of my car from a distance, I ran to my car unfortunately the guy in my car jumped into the other car and took off just in time. Luckily nothing was stolen at this point because I was only away for 40 mins (but my car's center console was pretty messed up). But I can tell you, my car had Limo tint all around and 25% in the front 2 windows. As I was reporting this to the security, some guy came up and said he saw the whole thing, but he thought the guy who tried stealing my system owned the car so he just sat in his car and didn't do anything. He even told the security that the guy was popping my hood, truck, etc. (Pretty much, his statement was uselss to me) I don't have any suggestion, I'm only sharing my experience. I bought an aftermarket NAV system that can't take out the faceplate (most double din NAV head units can't). My car didn't have any stickers to show off anything. I did have a subtle body kit, but it was a very clean ride - not rice at all. It was the headunit that gave it away - also because I parked far away from the group of cars - actually it wasn't even that much further from the group....just far enough to not get dings. It was an open, bright area, bright place, and there was even a witness! But I have to admit, the theives had an exit strategy which made it more convenient. The only precaution I can tell anyone to take from my experience is that park closer to the mall where there's more people and hope for the best. After this experience, I unlatched the mechanical rod that connects to the door's keyhole to the lock switch on the door so it's jimmy proof. Btw, I also had one of those transponder clifford alarms that can send a alert to your pod that can send up to 1/4 mile, but it wasn't as trusty as it claims it to be. The 1/4 mile distance advertised is probably only in an open area. This is the reason I am going with Factory systems now...I am not discouraging anyone from going aftermarket because I understand why people like going aftermarket with sound systems. But the more stuff you put on your ride, the more positive & negative attention you're gonna get. Last edited by scruffydog; 01-05-2010 at 11:58 AM.

01-05-2010, 12:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
molamann A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,666 Drives: 370Z with NAVVVVV Rep Power: 284	I wish someone would take my factory Bose.

01-05-2010, 12:09 PM	#13 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 852	If your car is more concealed by other cars robbers are more likely to go after that car than one that is isolated. Newer alarms range around 2 miles and seem to do well even a mile away. LOL steal your bose system no one wants that. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

01-05-2010, 01:02 PM	#15 (permalink)
scruffydog A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 1,113 Drives: with his eyes close Rep Power: 717	That's cool that the new alarm systems can go up to 2 mile. But even if someone trips off your alarm when you're 2 miles away, something still happened to your car and you're 2 miles away worrying and hoping nothing happened to your car. I doubt dashing to your car or calling the cops could reverse or undo any damage. Like I said before, I am not discouraging anyone from getting a aftermarket unit, I've done research on them and they're all worth every cent for what they can do....but as for factory stuff.....I don't think anyone wants any factory NAV systems not because they suck, but because they don't have use for them for another car. The amount of trouble someone will have to go through to re-use a factory NAV (whether if it's a nissan or not) it takes a lot more work to even just to take the unit apart unlike a aftermarket. Only a person that has a specific motive in trying to get your factory NAV to fit will attempt to even steal it. (i.e. someone that has the exact same car as you but didn't have the NAV or a car they can make it work) For someone to steal a factory sound system that doesn't have NAV is plain stupid. First of all, given the time they have usually, they can only take the headunit....unless it's parked over night. The risk they're taking, it's much wiser to buy an aftermarket unit. For an aftermarket unit, at most people just have to take apart a custom fit faceplate, which most people don't give a crap about breaking and then the system comes off just like any other aftermarket unit. Last edited by scruffydog; 01-05-2010 at 01:06 PM.