I would guess that cars of similar type with car alarms are stolen no more than 5 percent less than cars without alarms. I suppose each of us has to weigh whether the reduced risk is worth the hassle to ourselves and neighbors when, as too often happens, the thing goes off inadvertently. A careful answer should address the fact that expensive cars are both worth more to steal and worth putting up with more hassle.
A car alarm will only deter a rookie thief. I would only invest in one if you are in an area with a very high crime rate. If you have a valuable car I would invest in something that will track the location of the car but not necessarily an alarm, because the alarm won't deter a professional and you just want to aid in the recovery of the car. An alarm or locating device will often give you a deduction in the cost of insurance for a valuable car too.
I use to steal things from cars when I was youngerthe car alarm itself is not nearly as effective as the little red light that blinks.So if you are getting an alarm make sure they install the light in a highly visable are such as the dash board.Do not put a sticker with the name of what brand it is on the car such as (protected by viper)as many poeple know how to bypass certain alarms.Try and keep valubles out of sight as the saying goes out of sight out of mind.Tinted windows also help.You can also get an insurance reduction for the alarm.good luck.
Open the hood of your car and locate the brake fluid fill cap. The top of the cap will tell you what type of fluid your car takes.
I have never heard of a single case of someone's car being protected by interested passerbys because of a car alarm. They are annoying and virtually no one pays any attention. Possibly if you were parked in front of your OWN home and heard it go off at 3:30 in the morning YOU would respond but no one else ever does. Sadly.
