I got an email through my school about free VIN etching program from local police.

http://www.aata.state.az.us/pdfs/VIN...ationFlyer.pdf

Basically it says that etching the VIN on the windshields on cars can reduce the chance of thieves stealing your car. My guess is that it couldn't hurt so I'd like to have this done to my GS. I have personally never had my car or parts stolen but I've had cousins whose bone stock car was stolen and others whose parts were stolen. Is this something that can reduce the chance or is this something that thieves will think of something and defeat VIN etching? What are your guy's thoughts on this and has anybody had this done yet?

 

technically it can help, though i am not sure if it's THAT helpful

if it's free, cool. a lot of dealerships do that for a cost as well, i pass

 

If they're going to chop shop your car anyway, I don't see that helping so much. Isn't that the most popular form of car thievery? They just gut the parts and sell them on the market, which is why the most popular cars, esp. with borrowed/interchangeable parts - like Accords, Camrys, etc. - are the most stolen?

 

I don't believe it's that helpful either. I agree, since most cars end up gutted and parts are then sold, that pretty much defeats the purpose.

 

it helps lower insurance a couple bucks, newer cars have expensive windshields and rear windshields but I doubt someone is gonna steal a car for a windshield cause you can crack it trying to take it out.

A smart car thief will just etch over the vin with more acid or buff it out

 

Don't our cars come with this already? My car has the VIN etched on the driver's side of the windshield all the way at the bottom ...

 

If it's free, what bad can come from it. I agree that cars are chopped up--that's the point of VIN etching. If a part has the VIN etched into it, cops can tell right away that it was stolen from another car, because it doesnt match.

 

probably your car (dealership did it). i don't think i have them on my cars