Drivers are just realising how to use little-known feature that could save them from theft
A MOTORS expert has revealed a little-known feature that can protect drivers from car theft.
Xiao Qiao shared the handy key fob hack in a video uploaded to TikTok.
In the video, Xiao explained how to use your key to turn on a “reminder” to lock your car.
She said: “Press and hold the lock and unlock button on the key at the same time.
“Hold for three seconds.
“When you hear a ‘beep’ the lock reminder function is set up.”
This means that whenever you press the lock button, the car will give a short blast of its horn.
Xiao went on to discuss three ways in which this could help motorists.
First of all, if you can’t find your car in a car park, the beep can be used to track it down.
However, the second two uses are even more vital.
You can use the lock reminder to check that your motor is securely locked before you walk away.
If the horn doesn’t sound when you press the lock button, it means that one of your doors is still open.
Check the doors and close them all firmly before pressing the lock button again.
The horn should then sound to confirm that you have addressed the issue.
This can give you peace of mind that your vehicle is safely locked and can protect against opportunistic theft.
Finally, the sound also indicates that the factory-installed car alarm has been engaged as the car is locked.
Again this protects against theft as the alarm will sound if the car is opened forcefully or detects “abnormal vibration” from a collision or theft attempt.
Social media commenters were left amazed by the helpful advice.
One wrote: “Wow, that’s a very nice job.”
It comes after a petrolhead discovered an iconic classic Porsche abandoned in his neighbour’s garage.
Meanwhile, a driving expert shared their top tips for hitting the roads in wet weather as Storm Babet causes chaos across the UK.