All vehicle owners can benefit by being protective of their cars and trucks, but Hyundai and Kia models are especially vulnerable to theft in Colorado.
The Colorado State Patrol says that Hyundai and Kia represent nearly one out of every five stolen cars in Colorado. Also, vehicles using a physical key for operation continue to be largely targeted by car thieves across the Denver Metro area, the CSP states in a news release.
The theft of Hyundais and Kias is also linked to organized crime in Colorado and is the focus of the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority – Metropolitan Auto Theft Taskforce, the news release states.
“These stolen cars are then used to commit other crimes across the Front Range,” the news release states. “From dangerous driving to business burglaries and beyond, preventing auto theft saves more than just a car: it makes our entire state safer.”
Those include locking your car and taking your keys with you. Never leave a running car unattended. They also suggest parking in a garage or a secure parking lot when possible, or in an area under constant supervision.
Another tip is to keep your car clean. Thieves hate clean cars and especially clean interiors. Anything left unsecured in a vehicle incentivizes a thief to target your car instead of another.
Owners of a Hyundai or Kia should check with their local manufacturer service center to determine if their vehicle qualifies for a security software update.
The State Patrol also suggests drivers of those cars or of any car on the top list should use a steering wheel lock, which is available from many local Police Departments. Drivers should also use technology like a GPS tag or enroll in programs like Denver Track or Metro Track.
Use physical vehicle theft prevention devices, such as parking boots, gear shift/pedal locks to stop thieves and alarms and immobilizing devices from a trusted installer.