Our home is in the flight path of a major airport's secondary runway - commercial and private jets will trip any decent alarm system, and my wife's van has had at least one theft attempt in the past few weeks. I can't use a sophisticated alarm, so I needed a cheap but positive solution.

Years ago we used to put a battery disconnect switch on boats - similar to this. Here's a modern version of that "solution" that is now used on commercial equipment and even some racers:


Product photo courtesy www.amazon.com

You remove your negative battery terminal, slip on the clamp, and connect the existing clamp to the post on the switch. If you need to retain memory in your ECU, radio, seat, windows and moonroof, bridging the switch with the little wire (enclosing a 15a fuse) between the clamp bolts will allow sufficient current to flow even if the switch is off. Try to start it, and POP, the fuse blows under heavy current demand, and no more juice. (Yes, it works - my wife jumped in the van and twisted the key before I could stop her . . POP!)

The switch is actually a heavy machine screw that is threaded between two insulated brass terminals. Loosen one turn and no more contact. Your vehicle is not only safe, but it offers another layer of protection. To ensure nobody takes the time to figure the system out, just unscrew the **** completely and take it with you. To start your car, a thief would have to carry a jumper cable to bridge the switch contacts.

All this for about $20 or less, including shipping. Available at some auto supplies and online from a number of sources. I put one on the van, and will pick up another for the Lexus this week. I recommend you stock up on 15A fuses . . .