High-Tech Car Theft: Protecting Your Texas Vehicle in 2025

If you lived in a bad Texas neighborhood back in the day, you would put "the club" steering wheel lock on your vehicle. It was a bit clunky to take on and off, but there were no quick or easy ways to defeat it.

Even if you put one on your car today you would likely always return to it unmoved in the parking lot.

If you were still concerned about your car being stolen, you might put in a car alarm (now standard equipment) and a kill switch. That is a secret switch hidden somewhere around or in the car, and if you don't flip it, the vehicle won't operate.

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It's the future, and though a kill switch or a club on the steering wheel might still work, criminals are getting even more high-tech. Thieves can plug directly into your vehicle and start it.

Trucks Cost So Much They Are Rolling ATMs In Texas

If you have a truck, it might be worth less than the sum of its parts. You never know why a criminal might have targeted your vehicle for car theft.

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Crooks might want your headlights, wheels, or tires. If they want the entire truck, they can get it without a scratch or a cut wire if they can access your OBD (On-Board Diagnostic) port.

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Under the steering wheel of every car since 1996 there is a port where mechanics plug in and talk to the vehicle's computer system to diagnose issues.

Lock Off Your OBD Ports From Thieves

According to KHOU the Houston Police Department recommends that you put a lock on your OBD port. You can find these devices on Amazon from $25 - $99.