10 Broadcaster Press September 27, 2016 www.broadcasteronline.com fall & car care How to Prevent Car Theft Few motorists think much about preventing vehicle theft until their cars are stolen. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a vehicle is stolen every 44 seconds in the United States. Many of those are recovered, but being victimized by car thieves can be a nervewracking and unsettling experience for car owners. While car thefts are unpredictable, they can be prevented. While even the most proactive anti-theft car owner can be victimized by car thieves, there are ways to reduce that risk. • Avoid the most stolen vehicle makes. The 2016 “Hot Wheels” report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau lists the most frequently stolen vehicles from 2015, the most recent year for reporting. These include: the 1997, 1996 & 1997 Honda Accord; 1998 & 2000 Honda Civic; 2005 & 2006 Ford F-Series pickup truck; 2004 & 2005 Chevrolet full-size pickup; and the 2014 Toyota Camry. • Lock your car. Keep your vehicle locked at all times, even when driving. Many cars are stolen while left unlocked, even though power locks now require just the push of a button to lock the entire vehicle. Similarly, close all windows and the sunroof when the car is parked. • Keep the vehicle registration in your wallet. Geico notes that car thieves can escape arrest if they can produce the vehicle’s registration upon being pulled over. Keep your registration out of the car and on your person. • Keep track of your keys. Do not hide a car key outside of the vehicle in the event you get locked out of your car. Thieves are aware of this trick and can steal your car. • Keep valuables out of sight. Do not leave money, jewelry, electronics, or any other valuable items in plain sight in the car. Remove them promptly, or keep them in a trunk or under a cargo bed so they’re not visible to potential thieves. • Park in well-lit, heavily trafficked areas. Parking in a well-lit area can deter criminals, but parking close to building entrances and near parking lot security cameras adds extra layers of protection. If you must park in a parking garage, try to park close to the attendant. • Employ an anti-theft device. Anti-theft devices include vehicle immobilizer systems and car alarms. Insurance companies may discount premiums for vehicles that are equipped with anti-theft devices. • Use technological recovery tools. GPS technology can pinpoint your car if it is stolen and send that information to law enforcement officials. Some of these devices also can slow down vehicles or remotely block the car’s ignition switch. • Use VIN window etching. Have each window etched with the vehicle identification number. This will make the car less attractive to thieves looking to sell car parts or the entire vehicle. Motorists can take an active role in preventing car theft and safeguarding their automotive investments. Aluminum Aluminum fencing is ideal for those looking for something that’ s both ornamental and functional. Aluminum fencing may not appeal to those homeowners whose biggest priority is privacy, as aluminum fences are not solid walls. But aluminum fences are typically low maintenance, and they can be effective at keeping both kids and pets in the yard. Aluminum fences painted with a rust-inhibiting primer may require even less maintenance When it comes to vehicle maintenance, the rule of two has long reigned among professional automotive technicians and driving safety advocates. In accordance to this rule, drivers replacing important parts in their cars and trucks, such as tires, brakes, shocks and wiper blades, should always do so in pairs. Replacing parts in pairs can ensure vehicles are properly balanced and functioning safely. But it’s not just tires, brakes and other big-ticket components that should be replaced in pairs. Vehicle lighting plays an integral role in keeping drivers and their passengers safe, and motorists should exercise the same caution regarding their vehicles’ headlights, taillights and turn signals that they do when maintaining the rest of their cars and trucks. Why replace aging headlight bulbs? Few drivers include headlight bulb replacement in their vehicle maintenance routines. But old headlight bulbs can drastically compromise visibility at night, when drivers’ visual acuity is naturally reduced by as much as 70 percent. As headlight bulbs age, the effects of exposure to sunlight, ozone and pollution can significantly reduce their light output. According to Philips Automotive, a leading manufacturer of vehicle lighting components, headlight bulbs begin to project significantly less light within two to three years of their initial usage, producing dimmer light outputs that compromise the safety of drivers and their passengers. For example, new headlight bulbs capable of projecting 240-foot beams in front of a vehicle may see that projection dwindle to just 160 feet within two to three years. Why replace bulbs two at a time? In an effort to promote the importance of changing headlight bulbs two at a time, Philips developed the “Change In Pairs” safety campaign, which aims to educate motorists about the dangers of dimming lights while promoting the many reasons that changing bulbs in pairs makes the road safer for all travelers. To support this safety initiative, Philips also packages its Upgrade Headlight Bulbs in pairs. Though replacing two headlight bulbs when only one is dimming may seem unwarranted, maintaining a consistent light output in both headlights makes the road safer for drivers, their passengers and oncoming motorists. When only one bulb is replaced, the resulting light output can be both unbalanced and unpredictable, providing inadequate lighting that can compromise driver visibility. In addition, oncoming motorists may experience difficulty seeing vehicles with just one headlight operating at full capacity, and some may even mistake oncoming cars and trucks for motorcycles, creating positioning issues for drivers on both sides of the yellow line. How else can drivers improve visibility? Deter thieves by keeping valuables out of sight. Finding the Right Fencing Fit Homeowners choose to erect fences on their properties for various reasons. Parents may find fences provide peace of mind during those times when their youngsters are playing in the yard, while other homeowners prefer fences for the privacy they can provide. Whatever compels homeowners to consider fencing for their properties, those that have decided to install fencing will soon realize they have numerous options. Finding the right fencing material for your property requires considering a host of factors, including budget and personal style. Safety in Numbers: Why it Pays to Replace Headlight Bulbs in Pairs than aluminum fences painted some aesthetic appeal and a little privacy. without primer. Bamboo Bamboo is a less traditional fencing option that may appeal to homeowners who want to do something that’s both different and eco-friendly. Bamboo grows naturally, which should appeal to homeowners who want their homes to have as little negative impact on the environment as possible. Bamboo provides ample privacy and comes in various styles. Homeowners should consult with a fencing specialist before choosing a style so they can be certain they choose the most climate-appropriate option. Chain-link Chain-link fences may not add the aesthetic appeal homeowners are looking for, but they are relatively inexpensive, durable and functional. Chain-link fences are low maintenance, though homeowners looking for fences to provide some privacy may need to get creative if they install chain-link fencing. Planting flowers, shrubbery or trees near chain-link fences can add Vinyl Among the more expensive fencing options, vinyl can make up for that initial sticker shock thanks to its durability. In addition, vinyl fences require little maintenance, saving homeowners the expense of paying for upkeep such as repainting. Vinyl fencing comes in various styles, and homeowners can choose the style that best suits their priorities with regard to aesthetic appeal and privacy. Wood Of course, no discussion of fencing would be complete without mentioning wood fencing. Many homeowners love wood fencing because of its versatility with regard to design and color. The options are endless when it comes to crafting wood fencing, which also can be stained in any color homeowners prefer. Wood fencing can be designed not only for homeowners who prioritize privacy, but it also can be crafted for homeowners for whom privacy is not a significant concern. Wood is a relatively inexpensive fencing material, but the maintenance required to keep wood fencing looking great can sometimes be costly and time-consuming. Options abound for homeowners looking to add fencing to their properties. Homeowners hesitant to choose a material and/or install their own fencing can consult local professionals to find the best fencing fit for their properties. In addition to replacing headlight bulbs in pairs every two to three years, drivers can take the following proactive measures to reduce the likelihood that their vision will be compromised while on the road. • Replace worn out wiper blades. Wiper blades need to be changed each season or in threemonth intervals. Rubber wiper blades can grow brittle rather quickly, potentially compromising driver visibility at times when they need their vision to be as strong as possible, such as when rain or snow is falling. • Clean interior glass and mirrors. Over time, interior glass can develop a film-like buildup that reduces vision and creates hazy reflections from the sun. Smokers may notice such buildup is especially thick in their vehicles. Periodically clean interior glass and mirrors to prevent this film from compromising your vision. • Don’t hang accessories in your vehicle. Fuzzy dice, photos and other items hung on rearview mirrors can prove distracting and block you from seeing the road. Changing headlight bulbs in pairs assures that the road Learn more about the ahead will be properly illuminated and that drivers will “Change In Pairs” campaign get the full safety benefit of the vehicle’s headlights, by visiting www.philips.com/ just as the carmaker intended. automotive. Tell them you saw it in the Broadcaster! Making Your Family’s Comfort Our Family’s Business! $ Save Up To PRECISION PAINTING •Interior •Exterior •Commercial •Residential Quality Workmanship, Reasonable Rates Cars.... Trucks.... Tractors.... & More! Since 1983 2750 in Incentives Includes utility & manufacturing rebates on quality home comfort systems CLINT TUCKER 624-4621 Serving Yankton, Vermillion & The Surrounding Areas HEATING & COOLING 920 Broadway, Yankton • 605-665-9461 www.larrysheatingandcooling.com CALL TODAY! ALL TYPES OF DIRT WORK - FREE ESTIMATES 24 Years of Service Jensen Auto Body 301 W. Main, Vermillion 605-624-2481 Bobcats • Crane • Dozers • Excavators • Grader Grain Trailer • Scrapers • Side Dumps • Trenchers Irrigation Sales & Service Vermillion, SD (605)670-9567 Hartington, NE (402)254-2568 Licensed in SD, NE & IA Irrigation PVC, Wire Installed, Well Drilling Domestic & Irrigation Pump Installation WATERLINE & ELECTRIC TRENCHING Tree & Concrete Removal, Site Clearing, & Ditch Trenching