Mechanic issues warning to drivers who have emergency brake in car
A top mechanic has warned motorists can prevent their cars from being taken by thieves by following a trick while behind the wheel. Scotty Kilmer, who has a huge YouTube following, says pressing the handbrake can make it “harder” for criminals to get away.
Scotty said: "There's still a lot of cars stolen by people with flatbed trucks and tow trucks. To stop them, always leave your car in park, pull the emergency brake on tight. That makes it much harder for a flatbed or tow truck to pull it out of the way and steal it."
A YouTube commentator wrote back: "I drive a manual transmission. The best anti theft system." A second said: "As a previous tow driver I can assure you. Keeping it in park with an e-brake won't stop the winch from dragging that sucker up."
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"When I bought my '21 Subaru Crosstrek with the 6 speed, I told people it had an advanced anti-theft system and showed a picture of the stick," a third said. "I do. I self taught myself how to drive a stick shift back in 1985. Now I can drive a three-speed 5-speed 10-speed 13 speed and 18 speed manual 18-wheeler transmission," another wrote.
"Standard trans / stick shift owner right here! I still enjoy it everyday, every damn time i drive it, every damn clutching and shifting with my own hand and foot! Love it !!" another said. And another typed: "Too right! - I bought my civic last year and the guy kept trying to sell me a keyless automatic, I was like nope give me the civic with the keys for the inside, outside AND the manual transmission (I don’t like it when the car drives me, I love to drive the car) Legend Scotty, many thanks for the awesome content over the years from this wee lass in the UK."
"As a repo man, depending on the type of car you have, even putting it in park with the emergency brake on doesn’t stop us or even slow us down from taking your car. I can still grab it without getting out of the truck," another said.
"I find it crazy that people don't drive stick anymore!! It's at least good just in case you need to in an emergency. I feel more connected to a car if it's manual. I just feel more in control of it and tuned into it," another posted.