Did I go overboard?

[Rider90]

So last night I park my clean MM in a parking garage at harrison/halsted in Chicago @ UIC so I can spend the night in my g/f's dorm. Upon leaving I remove the following items from the car: iPod, Valentine One, Registration & Insurance Information, Owners Manual, 20amp fuel pump fuse, all spare change, iPod Cup Holder Base...I think that was it.

Is this strange to do? or sounds just about right...

[Wires]

Better to wonder if you went overboard than to know you should have done more.

Sounds about right to me.

[BillyGman]

I wouldn't concern myself all that much about theft. That's what insurance is for. If you're that worried about your car getting stolen, or broken into, then the car owns you instead of the other way around. I think it's wise to take some precautions, but the practice of extreme precaution isn't realistic anyway, because it won't last nor always be consistent.


And you know murphy's law, right? The one time you don't do all of those things will be the time that something happens. That's why it's better to rely on your car insurance. If something major happens, you can still lose $$ in the event of an insurance claim, but you will be reimbursed for the most part, and losing sleep over worry about your car being broken into wouldn't be enjoying it as you should be. Right?

[bigjon]

i too take everything out of my car. i leave the fuel fuse, manual, and ins info in the car though. :D

[fastblackmerc]

I wouldn't concern myself all that much about theft. That's what insurance is for. If you're that worried about your car getting stolen, or broken into, then the car owns you instead of the other way around. I think it's wise to take some precautions, but the practice of extreme precaution isn't realistic anyway, because it won't last nor always be consistent.


And you know murphy's law, right? The one time you don't do all of those things will be the time that something happens. That's why it's bettr to rely on your car insurance. if something major happens, you can still lose $$ in the event of an insurance claim, but you will be reimbursed for the most part, and losing sleep over worry about your car being broken into wouldn't be enjoying it as you should be. right?
Take it with you or put it in the trunk... if they don't see it... they don't want it.... Dealing with any insurance company is a hassle..

[Romo53]

If there were more people like you, my job would be 1000 times easier. You wouldn't believe what people leave in a vehicle. If it looks even somewhat enticing, it's getting jacked. You want to deal with insurance companies, possible identity theft, the horror of your ride getting damaged, and the feeling of being violated.......by all means, leave your valuables and such in plain view. Kudos to those who think safely!!! :beer:

[Marauder2005]

So last night I park my clean MM in a parking garage at harrison/halsted in Chicago @ UIC so I can spend the night in my g/f's dorm. Upon leaving I remove the following items from the car: iPod, Valentine One, Registration & Insurance Information, Owners Manual, 20amp fuel pump fuse, all spare change, iPod Cup Holder Base...I think that was it.

Is this strange to do? or sounds just about right...
I do feel a little better about myself now..Thanks ;)

[BUCKWHEAT]

Ever think about getting a girlfriend that goes to Northwestern?


So last night I park my clean MM in a parking garage at harrison/halsted in Chicago @ UIC so I can spend the night in my g/f's dorm. Upon leaving I remove the following items from the car: iPod, Valentine One, Registration & Insurance Information, Owners Manual, 20amp fuel pump fuse, all spare change, iPod Cup Holder Base...I think that was it.

Is this strange to do? or sounds just about right...

[BillyGman]

If there were more people like you, my job would be 1000 times easier. You wouldn't believe what people leave in a vehicle. If it looks even somewhat enticing, it's getting jacked. You want to deal with insurance companies, possible identity theft, the horror of your ride getting damaged, and the feeling of being violated.......by all means, leave your valuables and such in plain view. Kudos to those who think safely!!! :beer:I think it depends on where you live, or more specifically, where the car is being parked any given night or day. I can't see going through all of that every single time you park the car at your workplace, or before running into shop for groceries, shoes, auto parts, etc. If that were the case, then we would all be carrying fag bags around with us whereever we go. :D I also think the suggestion to put some things in the trunk usn't a bad idea.

But in light of the point you've made, I can understand him doing that if the place he was going to be at for awhile was questionable. My point was, and is, to go through that all the time is just not something that I would do. If I was that worried about my possessions on a daily basis, then it would be time for me to get rid of some of my toys because they wouldn't be worth having if I had to worry about them that much every single day.

[Romo53]

I think it depends on where you live, or more specifically, where the car is being parked any given night or day. I can't see going through all of that every single time you park the car at your workplace, or before running into shop for groceries, shoes, auto parts, etc. If that were the case, then we would all be carrying fag bags around with us whereever we go. :D I also think the suggestion to put some things in the trunk usn't a bad idea.

But in light of the point you've made, I can understand him doing that if the place he was going to be at for awhile was questionable. My point was, and is, to go through that all the time is just not something that I would do. If I was that worried about my possessions on a daily basis, then it would be time for me to get rid of some of my toys because they wouldn't be worth having if I had to worry about them that much every single day.

Yeah....don't get me wrong. I don't "empty" the car when I hit the auto parts store and the like. I am guilty of being a little over protective, because, unfortunately, I see the break-ins very often. Motels/hotels and the college campus are favorite targets for scumbags! Carry on gents. :)

[BillyGman]

I see the break-ins very often. Motels/hotels and the college campus are favorite targets for scumbags! Carry on gents. :) I sincerely appreciate your insight on that. I didn't realize that those were focused targets. that sounds like some valuable info to me. Thanks. :2thumbs:

[Romo53]

I sincerely appreciate your insight on that. I didn't realize that those were focused targets. that sounds like some valuable info to me. Thanks. :2thumbs:


ANYTIME! Just lay 'em out with that .50!

[ckadiddle]

Outta signt=outta mind. Just trunk the goodies.

[BillyGman]

ANYTIME! Just lay 'em out with that .50!
OOOOOOHH..........you shouldn't tempt me like that.......now I'll have to go in for an additional shock therapy treatment this week.....

[dok]

Outta signt=outta mind. Just trunk the goodies.

Doesn't work either. Last fall we were at Clearwater Beach. So that I didn't have to worry about leaving them on the beach while we walked, I put my wallet and my wife's purse in the trunk. Someone broke into the trunk (must have had a master key as there was no visible damage) and took our credit cards. They were sneaky as they left all the money.

By the time we noticed the missing cards and canceled them, they had racked up $800 in charges.

Going back to Clearwater next week. Not sure where to put valuables this time.

[duhtroll]

Chances are they watched you put stuff in the trunk (they were probably sitting somewhere else in the parking area) and waited for you to leave.

I've seen guys hanging around parking garages when I have been at larger hotels, etc.. It's a common rap.

It takes me all of 10 seconds to put my stuff in the center console when I hit a garage or other public parking area. It's worth it.

Can I replace my stuff? Of course. Would I rather spend 10 seconds hiding it or 10 minutes ordering a new one? That and the money involved make this a no-brainer.

No point in claming insurance for a $300 radar detector. Between the $250 deductible and the rate increase there's no point.

I'll keep hiding my stuff.

-A

[Mike Poore]

So last night I park my clean MM in a parking garage at harrison/halsted in Chicago @ UIC so I can spend the night in my g/f's dorm. Upon leaving I remove the following items from the car: iPod, Valentine One, Registration & Insurance Information, Owners Manual, 20amp fuel pump fuse, all spare change, iPod Cup Holder Base...I think that was it.

Is this strange to do? or sounds just about right...

You done good. Listen to the cops, and don't leave tempting items in view. If the car get's stolen the ins co. ain't gonna replace the Ipod, or Valentine -1. I know guys who leave handguns in their car. Very unwise.

Now, how you gonna hide the MM? :up:

[Marc]

Good move taking the stuff. My dad grew up at 57th and Halstead and I know the Chicago area well. Glad to hear you made it out of the UIC area neighborhood and were even able to post a message.

Ah, the sleep over in a dorm room. Now that brings up mamories.

[drgnrdr33]

So last night I park my clean MM in a parking garage at harrison/halsted in Chicago @ UIC so I can spend the night in my g/f's dorm. Upon leaving I remove the following items from the car: iPod, Valentine One, Registration & Insurance Information, Owners Manual, 20amp fuel pump fuse, all spare change, iPod Cup Holder Base...I think that was it.

Is this strange to do? or sounds just about right...

If I had the $$ I'd implement the burglarproofing on Bond's Lotus in "For Your Eyes Only". Next time you watch it, look for the sticker on the passenger window shown before the thug tries to smash it with his gun stock.

[Joe Walsh]

"pull the fuel pump fuse"....I like that simple solution.
I am going to pull the fuel pump fuse until I can install an alarm system with remote start and a 30 second after start ignition kill.

[wsmylie]

Good to hear I'm not the only one anal enough to pull the fuel pump fuse; makes me feel better. Anyway fellas.. as far as trunk master key mentioned by someone, I'm pretty sure the car in question musta had a remote release key/ fob type thing right?? More sophisticated bad guy's just use a programable unit that scans till it hits the correct code for your trunk release and "pops" it open (ie no damage?). First thing I did to my MM (or any rental car I get) is to disconnect the remote wire to the trunk latch under the lid. Thirty plus years working auto theft has left me a little paranoid about this stuff I guess. BILL

[2003_MM_FYRE49]

So last night I park my clean MM in a parking garage at harrison/halsted in Chicago @ UIC so I can spend the night in my g/f's dorm. Upon leaving I remove the following items from the car: iPod, Valentine One, Registration & Insurance Information, Owners Manual, 20amp fuel pump fuse, all spare change, iPod Cup Holder Base...I think that was it.

Is this strange to do? or sounds just about right...
Dude you were a stones throw away from the ever lovely Austin District which is also rivaled by Englewood. I would have had an armed guard standing by the car in that crappy neighborhood. :uzi: :uzi: :uzi: :uzi: to ward off all the :gangster: cuz you know they had they brefas or sumtin and are ready to attack

[2003_MM_FYRE49]

so I can spend the night in my g/f's dorm.
I hope you remembered to wrap your wrasscal while you and your hunny were doing the :tmi: so you don't get a big :surprise: in nine months...:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[jjaguda]

You could just get a POS to take to the girlfriends hood. :coolman:


I use to go through all that BS everynight - years ago. If they wan the car, they'll get it or essentially F it UBAR it. Sure . . .do not leave the radar detector, or any other shinny fish hooks, in plain view. But realsitically, two thieves would be interested in your car: 1) either a thief without the knowlegde to bypass the PATS system; or 2) a real car thief with the right tools or even a flatbed.

Just a couple of pennies.

[merc406]

So last night I park my clean MM in a parking garage at harrison/halsted in Chicago @ UIC so I can spend the night in my g/f's dorm. Upon leaving I remove the following items from the car: iPod, Valentine One, Registration & Insurance Information, Owners Manual, 20amp fuel pump fuse, all spare change, iPod Cup Holder Base...I think that was it.

Is this strange to do? or sounds just about right...



Check, check, check, ....yep, in short of pullin the whole car into her room, sounds about right to me.

[Rider90]

lmao 2003_MM_FYRE49 :laugh:

The great thing about pulling the fuel pump fuse is that, for those who do not do it, it is very hard for someone watching to see exactly what you did. Pop open your passenger side fuse panel cover and look at all of the open spaces - if a guy watches you remove something from that side under the hood, he'll check out the fuse panel and be S.O.L. unless he was RIGHT there when you did it.

[David Morton]

Putting a fragmentation grenade under the drivers seat and booby trapping it so the unaware sets it off is overboard.

And that's just about where I draw the line. You're OK. :D

[stevengerard]

on a campus , especially U of I Chicago or IIT, definately do that. As for the fuel pump fuse I even do that occasionally. I try never to leave anything visible, just the broken window is a pain.

[CRUZTAKER]

..... I try never to leave anything visible, just the broken window is a pain.
True...and do not blast your stereo upon arrival. That also raises a flag to potential thieves.

I once had a car window broken out at a hotel lot. All they wanted was a pos radar detector.
The glass tore up the leather seats. All in total, over $1800 damage for a $60 radar detector.

Good idea to hide your stuff.

As far as pulling fuses and wires and such, unless they have a key to your car....or a flat bed tow truck god forbid, no ones driving off with your car. Can't peel the column on these. Well, you can, but it won't start regardless.

[Smokie]

.....whatever it takes. Our cars are OUT of production, once you mod. make it your own unique vehicle it is irreplaceable. An insurance company will provide you with money...not your car. My MM. to me is a rest of my life car, will I buy other cars ? yes. Get rid of Smokie ?.... hell no.

[David Morton]

Fuel pump fuse? Try this one. I've seen it fool Master Mechanics. Open the trunk and whack the inertia switch with a hammer! Lock the trunk button and you're all set!

I've done it plenty of times and it hasn't failed me yet, and it's easy to get going again. Open trunk with key fob, reset the switch and go!

[merc406]

About everything covered, except, the spoiler, tow trucks........ :bandit:

[jjaguda]

True...and do not blast your stereo upon arrival. That also raises a flag to potential thieves.

I once had a car window broken out at a hotel lot. All they wanted was a pos radar detector.
The glass tore up the leather seats. All in total, over $1800 damage for a $60 radar detector.

A friend of mine had his window broken, and his radar stolen, but, the thief actually cut the cord on a cig. lighter cord plugged into the lighter socket! :rolleyes:

[CRUZTAKER]

A friend of mine had his window broken, and his radar stolen, but, the thief actually cut the cord on a cig. lighter cord plugged into the lighter socket! :rolleyes:They never cease to amaze us do they?

There is nothing worse than purposely leaving your doors unlocked so that the neighborhood kids don't shove a number two flat head screw driver thru your door lock...yet they do so anyway without even checking to see if the doors were unlocked...:shake:...and all for cup full of change.

[Bigdogjim]

Carry a small gym bag and throw your stuff in that.

Quick and easy:)

[duhtroll]

A friend of mine had something stolen from his car in his apt. complex parking lot.

It was a 1995 POS Toyota Tercel. They broke the window to steal . . .

his ashtray full of change.

-A