Each year over 1 million cars are stolen in the U.S. We’ve given you some advice before on how to protect your own car, and how you can help to crack down on auto crimes in your community. Another simple technique that might help protect your car is VIN Etching.
Many police departments such as in Austin, TX and Arlington, VA, recommend this etching process which creates an acid stencil of your vehicle’s 17-digit identification number directly onto the windows of your car. Typically, when a car is stolen, thieves like to change it’s identity by removing the VIN plate from the dashboard and replacing it with a different one. By etching your VIN number into the windows of your vehicle, the experts say this helps to work as a deterrent to thieves because if they want to replace the plate, they’ll have to change out the windows as well.
Many local police departments offer VIN Etching services or events. Call your local law enforcement agency to see if it’s available in your community. Or, type “VIN Etching Kit” into your favorite search engine, there are many websites you can buy a kit from online.
11 Comments on "Deter Car Thieves With VIN Etching"
robert conner
How do I order a vin auto window etching kit from AMW and what is the cost? Thank you.
DKSeaton
How do I order a vin auto window etching kit from AMW and what is the cost? Thank you.
franisco feliz
How do I order a vin auto window etching kit from AMW and what is the cost? Thank you
John Dossey
There are dozens of vin etching products available. How can I find a quality product? This isnt something I want to do by trial and error.
tim j
i know where you can get it ….i work at TOYOTA and we do it at the dealership…so maybe there
David
John, before we get ourselves too far out–maybe you can correct me on this one.
Here in the state of California, Sacramento—thieves have been stealing cars by the VIN. They would not even have to break into the car..
Now tell me if I am wrong?
I now have my VIN, in the window covered.
PJ Staley
I see several question about where the item can be obtained, but I don’t see any answers. Has anyone gotten an answer? If not, why not?
Staella
you can go to the police dept or even some libraries in OC offer engraving services for free.
Sage
I had my windows etched at my car dealership. They gave me the etching free when I purchased the vehicle, but they did tell me that they will etch windows with the VIN for a small fee. Also, the etching is neat and does not detract from the window; it is hardly noticeable.
V. Anthony
A LITTLE CONFUSING, TRYING TO FIND THIS ARTICLE, LET ALONE THE PRODUCT. ONCE I SAW THAT OTHERS WERE ASKING THE SAME QUESTION, I WENT AND Googled “Vin Etching Kits” AND FOUND OVER A DOZEN PAGES OF PRODUCT, SOME FREE, MANY NOT. SORRY AMW, YOU MISSED OUT ON A SPONSOR OPPORTUNITY BY NOT LISTING A RECOMMENDED AND AMW APPROVED VENDOR(s). IT’S NOT TOO LATE, THOUGH! G/B, AND THANK YOU! “v”
V. Anthony
P.S. ASK YOUR AUTOMOTIVE / HOME INSURANCE CARRIER, AS THEY MOST LIKELY WILL GIVE YOU AN INSURANCE DISCOUNT ONCE THE ETCHING IS DONE! THANKS AGAIN!, “v”
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