VIN Locations on a Car via checkmyvin.com

My mother emailed me and told me that I need to cover the VIN number in my car window because if I don’t, thieves will steal my car! How can they steal my car just by being able to see the little tag that every car has inside?  -

Laura C., Bakersfield, CA
Dear Bewildered in Bakersfield,

Don’t you just love those Fwd: Fwd: Fwd: emails that our mothers all seem to think we just have to have? As with any of these, approaching it with a bit of skepticism is always a good first move.

The 17 digit VIN could, in theory, be used by a thief if they copied the VIN, created fake registration and identification for themselves, went into a dealership and had them create a new key. That is not as simple as it sounds! There have only been a few cases of this ever happening and they were stealing the VINs from used car lots where the cars would be sitting still for some time.

Covering you VIN may not only be a futile exercise but also illegal. Several states have laws regarding the VIN being visible at all times and never obscured. Also, that little plate is not the only place where you can find your VIN. Manufacturers now put it many places including on the engine and inside door panel to dissuade thieves from being able to hide the identity of stolen cars.

My suggestion is that you ask your mother to stop forwarding you these urban legends and feel confident that your car will not end up in a chop house.

Teen Driving Week at Carsala: Part One

Image from Wired.com

Teen driving now has a fresh young face from the NASCAR world to help promote a program designed to teach safety to teens.

Colin Braun, 20-year old NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver has teamed up with Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) to promote the importance of safe driving to teens around the country.

Mile for mile, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers. Ford Motor Company has a wonderful program called Driving Skill for Life, through which teens are able to improve their skills in four key areas that are critical factors in more than 60 percent of teen vehicle crashes: Hazard Recognition, Vehicle Handling, Space Management, and Speed Management.

Braun, now in his second year driving the No. 6 Con-way Freight Ford F-150 for Roush Fenway Racing, knows the importance of safe driving on and off the track. As part of the yearlong partnership, Braun will participate in DSFL hands-on training events and various nationwide teen safe-driving initiatives.

“I am pleased to be a part of the Ford Driving Skills For Life program. Having grown up racing all my life, I learned early on there is a time and place for driving fast, but public roads are not it.” said Braun. “I think teenagers are more likely to listen to a message coming from someone closer to their own age, so I hope my involvement will make a difference teaching young drivers how to be safer on the road.”

Throughout the year visitors to www.DrivingSkillsforLife.com will have a chance to view Braun’s blog dedicated to safe driving tips, videos, photos and updates from his race season.