Most college kids don’t think about their cars until something goes wrong. Unless you’re me and you have an unhealthy obsession with them. Winter is a completely different ball game when it comes to car security. Cold mornings, wet nights, and random people cutting through the lot like it’s their personal sidewalk all make your car more vulnerable. It’s not about snow or rain either. Break-ins spike on campuses during the colder months because cars are left sitting for days. All it takes is one person looking for an easy snag and suddenly your window’s on your floor mats and your backpack is gone. Or, if you’re into old Hondas like me, so is your entire car. Winter is a bad time to own a car that can easily be smashed into.
I want to offer three things you can do to prevent your car from becoming another statistic on a PLU email.
I’ve had about eight incidents of break-ins, tampering, and even outright vehicle thefts during my time at PLU. Keeping your car safe is no joke. Over the years, I’ve learned to bounce back by replacing my own windows inexpensively, installing security systems, and keeping valuable interior parts out of sight. Using this knowledge, and an unhealthy number of YouTube videos, I have learned to pull motors, wire simple electronics, and build racecars with practical security and reliability. If I can do it, so can you!
My first piece of advice is this: Don’t give anyone a reason to mess with your car. Keep it boring. No valuables on the seat, no piles of clothes, no laptop bag sitting there like bait. Lock your doors. If your car has an alarm, make sure it actually works and set it. If not, even a cheap steering wheel lock will go a long way. It’s not about being unbreakable; it’s about making your valuables less attractive. Consider buying a Club brand steering wheel lock from O’Reilly or having your mechanically savvy uncle install a kill switch; a surefire way to protect what you depend on.
Two: Parking matters. Everyone wants the closest spot to the dorms, but if it’s dark and tucked behind a building, that’s asking for trouble and leaves your car vulnerable. Park where there’s light if you can. With PLU, that may be difficult, but bear with me. Park near cameras if possible. It’s better than coming back to a busted window and a missing subwoofer or radio deck.
Three: Account for the weather. Cold kills batteries fast, especially if your car’s sitting untouched for weeks. A battery tender or simply starting it every few days will help keep your car drivable when you need it, instead of calling AAA or Campus Safety to bail you out. I personally carry a fully charged jumper pack in my trunk. Cover your windshield or use a tarp to keep ice from forming and save yourself from scraping it every morning.
It’s not about being paranoid, so definitely don’t do that. It’s about being smart. Make your car the last one anybody would want to mess with. As the holiday season and blistering cold make life lethargic and gloomy, be hopeful that you can take the right steps to protect the things that you care for. Given these tips, you will be able to practice caution and care for your car with confidence! One less thing to worry about with finals and the upcoming holidays.
