The first car I had sex in was a Ford Thunderbird. Since then, I’ve maneuvered my way toward climax in a Jeep Patriot, Chevy S-10, two Subarus (Outback and Forester), and two VWs (Passat and GTI).

American identity is inextricably linked to the automobile, with our car obsession peaking in the 1950s with Sunday drives, drive-ins, drive-thrus, and (our favorite:) lovers’ lanes where couples necked and much, much more on dark, dead-end roads. We continue to spend more and more time in our vehicles — including all varieties of hooking up in cars of every make and model. I’ve been having sex in cars for a decade, and haven’t been caught yet.

Yes, having sex in public spaces can get you slapped with a misdemeanor charge and possible jail time — so we wouldn’t ever actually condone public car sex. But theoretically speaking, here’s how you could maximize your comfort — and minimize the likelihood of getting busted — if you were ever thinking of getting banged in your Camaro.

Turn the car off

People have surely died while giving and receiving road head. #itcanwait surely applies to more than just texting and driving. Park it, please.

Do it at night — or make it dark

For simplicity’s sake, it’s good and dark at night — and significantly more difficult to see into a car. If you’re fully committed to screwing in a tiny mobile space during broad daylight, have your windows tinted to the maximum darkness permitted in your state.

Move more slowly

There’s nothing like getting caught up in the moment and accidentally thrusting someone right into the glove compartment, overhead light, or rearview mirror.

Make sure your interior lights don’t turn on with the door handle

THIS IS SO IMPORTANT. If someone pulls on the door handle from the outside, it will illuminate the whole car with the overhead dome light. Not only are you totally exposed, but also very unsafe because you can’t see who is on the other side. Which is how too many horror movies play out.

Also, if one of you inadvertently grips the door handle on the inside of the car, you’ll be bringing all your dirty deeds to light. Do everyone a favor: lock your doors, and check the owner’s manual to learn how to turn off your car’s automatic interior lights.

Know where the horn lives

Is the horn in the middle of the steering wheel? Is it on the sides? Find out; and then DO NOT HIT IT.

Keep your voice(s) down

You know who screams out in the middle of the night? People having orgasms, and people being murdered. If a passerby hears the former and thinks it’s the latter, they just might call the cops. Don’t be a screamer.

Keep your interior in mind

Subaru Outbacks are ideal: fairly spacious in the rear, and capable of handling dirt roads… which is probably why my super-slutty Portlanders drive ‘em. Not just for camping and lesbian farmers!

Auto expert and writer Jason Torchinsky wrote a great piece that breaks down your optimum positions, depending on the type of your vehicle.

Keep essentials on-hand: tissues/baby wipes, water, lube, and chewing gum

Since oral sex is the most performable maneuver while in a vehicle, it makes sense that you’d want to have a handful of tissues in the side pocket. Nobody is obligated to swallow, and I know I don’t want to clean the aftermath out from under my bucket seat.

If any bodily fluids do get on the interior, leather is way easier to wipe — and is partly why I chose that interior for my most recent car purchase.

As always, don’t litter

Think about the children! And the baby birds that might choke to death on your used condom. Don’t toss your trash out the window upon departure. If you’re not conscientious enough to care about the impact on the ecosystem, at least be mindful that when you leave evidence, you’ve just given away your spot.

Originally published 9/11/2016 on Thrillist.com