How to Keep Your Car Safe and Secure

Your car is one of your most valuable assets, and you want to protect it from theft, vandalism, and damage. But how can you ensure your car’s safety and security, especially when you park it in public places or leave it unattended for long periods of time? Here are some tips and best practices to keep your car safe and secure.

• Lock your doors and windows. This may seem obvious, but many car thefts and break-ins happen because the owners forget to lock their doors or leave their windows slightly open. Always lock your doors and windows when you park your car, even if you are only leaving it for a few minutes. This will deter opportunistic thieves and make it harder for them to access your car.

• Use an alarm system or a steering wheel lock. Another way to prevent car theft is to use an alarm system or a steering wheel lock. An alarm system will alert you and others if someone tries to tamper with your car, while a steering wheel lock will make it impossible for the thief to drive away with your car. These devices can also act as visual deterrents, making your car less attractive to potential thieves.

• Park in well-lit and secure areas. Where you park your car can also affect its safety and security. Avoid parking in dark, isolated, or unfamiliar areas, where your car may be more vulnerable to theft or vandalism. Instead, park in well-lit and secure areas, such as parking garages, lots, or structures that have surveillance cameras, security guards, or access control systems. These features will make it more difficult for criminals to target your car and more likely for them to be caught if they do.

• Don’t leave valuables in plain sight. One of the most common reasons why cars are broken into is because the owners leave valuables in plain sight, such as laptops, phones, wallets, purses, or bags. These items can tempt thieves to smash your windows and grab them. To avoid this, don’t leave any valuables in plain sight when you park your car. Either take them with you, hide them in the trunk or glove compartment, or cover them with a blanket or a jacket.

• Use a smart parking app like ParqEx. Finally, one of the best ways to keep your car safe and secure is to use a smart parking app like ParqEx. ParqEx is a platform that connects drivers with private parking spaces that are safer, cheaper, and more convenient than public parking options. With ParqEx, you can find and book parking spaces in advance or on-demand, using your smartphone or computer. You can also access exclusive parking spaces that are only available on ParqEx, such as residential garages, driveways, or lots. These spaces are often more secure than public parking spaces, as they are located in private properties that have less traffic and more protection. ParqEx also offers features like Access+, which allows you to open garage doors or gates with your phone, and GuestParq, which allows you to share access to your parking space with your guests or visitors. By using ParqEx, you can save time, money, and hassle while ensuring your car’s safety and security.

Keeping your car safe and secure is important for your peace of mind and your wallet. By following these tips and using ParqEx, you can protect your car from theft, vandalism, and damage while enjoying the convenience and comfort of private parking.

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Want to know more about these awesome advancements? If so, you’ve come to the right place! In this article we will explore three of the most exciting new trends in vehicle technology, how they might affect your day-to-day life, and how they’ll change your habits for the better in the near future.

Vehicle Communication

After a long 12 years of research, vehicle-to-vehicle communication will officially hit the market this year via the 2017 Cadillac CTS. While the technology will be extremely limited at first due to a lack of similarly equipped vehicles on the road to “talk” to, it will still give the driver some advantages, such as communicating with certain traffic lights.

Moreover, it will pave the way for even more of this incredible new technology in the future, which will eventually have the ability to prevent accidents through the use of cameras and other information-gathering systems and an advanced wireless car-to-car communication system.

While it may take a while to grow to that point, Cadillac is taking the most important and most difficult baby steps in the right direction.

Autonomous Driving

As proven by Tesla, Uber, and a few other companies in 2016, self-driving cars are here to stay. Not only that, but they are set to make some big advancements this year.

For instance, Volvo will be releasing 100 autonomous cars onto Swedish roads in the next year in order to 1) give the public a chance to experience a ride without a driver, and 2) test this new technology in the quest for a “death-proof vehicle”. The company hopes to make this ultra-safe car available to the public by the year 2020.

Additionally, companies such as Ford, GM, and BMW will be releasing self-driving fleets of their own. Finally—and most impressively—Tesla is scheduled to send a self-driving car on a trip from New York to LA before year’s end.

Improved Electric Cars

As if self-driving cars aren’t cool enough, it looks like 2017 will be a big year for electric cars as well. Hopefully this advancement signals the beginning of the end of our dependence on fossil fuels, and a step toward a greener, brighter tomorrow.

Not to be outdone by the Nissan Leaf—which was upgraded last year and now boasts an impressive 107-mile range—Chevrolet has announced that its new Bolt EV will have an increased range of up to 200 miles. This is an incredible step in the right direction for electric vehicles, as the longer range makes them a far more practical option. Additionally, the Ford Focus Electric will become a 100-mile car, meaning those looking for a lower-priced option will not be disappointed with the range possibilities in their budget category.

Smart Parking

Clearly, vehicle manufacturers have seen just how important it is to keep up with the demand for newer and more efficient technology. We at ParqEx have seen the light as well, and we’re taking steps to make parking easier than ever through the use of “internet of things” technology. We hope to work with car manufacturers toward an ultimate goal of less traffic congestion and a hassle-free driving experience for all.

Are you interested in learning more about Using Internet of Things and new trends in parking technology? Please have a look around our website or contact us with questions. After reading more about us, we are sure you will want to sign up for an account right away in order to take full advantage of our peer-to-peer sharing platform and our amazing new technology.

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One thing you can expect every year from this event is the assurance you’ll see the latest auto trends. Almost everything showcased ends up on our roadways eventually. This year, you’re seeing far more exciting auto trends than ever, with many of them potentially changing how we drive.

Here’s some coverage on what’s going on at this year’s show, and what some of the major trends are.

Autonomous Cars Are the Biggest Buzzword This Year

As the Chicago Sun-Times notes, autonomous cars are what everyone’s discussing the most at the Chicago Auto Show. A more recognizable term is self-driving cars, something you’ve likely been reading about for the last couple of years.

Despite many complications in bringing self-driving cars into the mainstream (including security), you’re seeing a lot of prototypes on display at Chicago’s show.

The Volvo XC90 is one vehicle on display that shows off some of the autonomous features being marketed. Volvo’s S90 sedans also feature automation features. While not self-driving cars, a lot of autonomy comes in safety technology, not including innovative infotainment systems.

One thing you noticed if you attended the show was Volvo’s full commitment to the self-driving car market. Their XC90 above is going to soon become a driverless model for testing purposes.

Outside these exciting developments, discussions at the show about self-driving cars are more about how long it’ll take to make them mainstream rather than definite dates.

The Progression of Electric Cars

We all know electric cars aren’t new, though this year’s show gives you proof we’ll  soon see more all-electric cars on the road. Accessibility to these cars has sometimes been a problem for all demographics, and we may soon see ways to amend this issue.

The all-electric car exciting everyone at this year’s Chicago show is the Chevrolet Bolt EV. Designed as a direct competitor to the all-electric BMW i3 and Nissan Leaf, the Bolt may change everything in making electric cars accessible.

What makes the Bolt stand out is it can give you up to 240 miles with just one charge. With a 240-volt outlet, you’ll be able to gain 50 miles of power in just two hours.

Price is also lower than you might think, making it far more accessible to average car buyers. It’s worth your time to see the one car that could finally make electric cars more mainstream.

Trends in Concept Cars

Part of the fun in attending the Chicago Car Show is seeing all the concept cars, including novelty vehicles made just for the event.

One of the highlights was Chevrolet’s Lego Batmobile, made from 344,187 Lego® bricks. At 17-feet long, it’s based on the Batmobile seen in “The Lego Batman Movie.” Yes, it can actually drive, but we probably won’t see Lego® cars on the road (or Lego architecture) any time soon.

Also on display was the Nissan Rogue One, built to look like a “Star Wars” Rebel starfighter. With “Star Wars” culture being perpetually ubiquitous, this SUV is worth a look as a continuing tie-in with recent “Star Wars: Rogue One.” Nissan rigged this up to include starfighter wings and thrusters as just some familiar features seen on the iconic X-Wing fighters.

As you might guess, it’s not for sale.

Contact us at ParqEx, Inc. to learn about our parking app to help you be able to easily attend events like this in the Chicago area.

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