Whether you have to park your vehicle outside at night, or in an unattended public area for extended periods, you may feel that your ride needs a little extra protection. While there is no such thing as a failsafe device, any barriers that you can place between your car and thieves will help. A highly visible  device may be enough to cause a thief to not target your car. There are a wide range of vehicle theft protection options to choose from, or you can try a combination of devices.

Here are four vehicle theft protection options that are available:

Tire and Wheel Locks

Tire and wheel locks look much like the boots used by law enforcement. These high profile devices are instantly visible and make a car nearly impossible to move. These can be purchased from an automotive supply store or online. If your main concern is protecting an expensive set of custom wheels, McGard offers a variety of wheel locks. These locks are similar in appearance to a regular lug nut, but require a special key tool for installation and removal.

Steering Wheel and Column Locks

Much like the wheel lock boots , these highly visible devices offer a visual deterrent to would be thieves. Selections range from inexpensive locks that must be installed manually each time the driver leaves the car to more expensive options that are permanently installed.

VIN Etching

VIN etching identifies your vehicle with a unique number, which is etched onto several parts of your car, including in the windows for would be thieves to see. In addition to providing a visual deterrent, VIN etching also is helpful in recovering a stolen vehicle. VIN etching kits are available for purchase, or in some areas VIN etching services are available.

Kill Switches

A kill switch is a concealed switch that must be activated in order to start the car. The effectiveness of this approach is reliant upon how well the switch is hidden from the thieves, who tend to be adept at finding them. If you opt for a kill switch, make sure your installer is an experienced professional, and that installation will not impact your car’s warranty.