I think the only sensible precaution everyone should take is to have a fuel cut off switch installed on your vehicle. It costs anywhere from $50-$100 USD and is not only a practical theft preventative, but it would solve this problem entirely. I would mention that the person installing the cut off, if he knows his stuff, will ask you the year of the vehicle, and if it's relatively new (~2000+), tell you it has sufficient anti-theft security. Just insist it's for other security considerations or as an auxiliary precaution to what comes standard.
As motor vehicles continue to move toward more computer-centric controls, this should be mandatory, and be a factory default option.
Similar events like the one in this article have made me take this precaution.
The only real precautions you can take is to have a fuel cut off switch installed on your vehicle. Most security alarm/sound system companies will do this for anywhere from $50-$100 USD. They will typically advise you that it isn't necessary due to chipped keys, but insist it's for other safety considerations.
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I think the only sensible precaution everyone should take is to have a fuel cut off switch installed on your vehicle. It costs anywhere from $50-$100 USD and is not only a practical theft preventative, but it would solve this problem entirely. I would mention that the person installing the cut off, if he knows his stuff, will ask you the year of the vehicle, and if it's relatively new (~2000+), tell you it has sufficient anti-theft security. Just insist it's for other security considerations or as an auxiliary precaution to what comes standard.
As motor vehicles continue to move toward more computer-centric controls, this should be mandatory, and be a factory default option.
Similar events like the one in this article have made me take this precaution.
The only real precautions you can take is to have a fuel cut off switch installed on your vehicle. Most security alarm/sound system companies will do this for anywhere from $50-$100 USD. They will typically advise you that it isn't necessary due to chipped keys, but insist it's for other safety considerations.