Steering Wheel Lock on New Car?

ego22 on 14/02/2019 - 15:06
Last edited 14/02/2019 - 15:07

i would like to say i know zero things about how cars work, or how the car makes the whole earth move around it while the it stays perfectly still, just so i can get to mcdonalds.

me and the misses like going on alot of bush walks to waterfalls and lookouts. and we always have to leave the car in some empty car park full of stoners. misses also works in a dodgy neighbourhood. new cars have all this new fancy security tech stuff, like i know the key has a chip, and the car computer wont start if u dont have the key. so…. you cant hot wire them?
i notice there arnt alot of people still using wheel locks so is it something to do with something like that?
(2018 i30)

Automotive

Comments

  • bobbified on 14/02/2019 - 15:09
    +7

    and we always have to leave the car in some empty car park full of stoners.

    Get insurance with a low excess. Instead of having the car being stolen and driven away, I'd be more worried about the stoners smashing the windows and taking whatever's in the car.

    • fantombloo on 14/02/2019 - 16:02
      +6

      Worried about stoners? I don't think so.

      Worried about drunk kids - sure.

    • navyskies on 14/02/2019 - 16:59

      "I'd be more worried about the stoners smashing the windows and taking whatever's in the car."

      Quite obvious you've never dealt with stoners or tried marijuana haha.

      Drunks and junkies you will be worried about though.

      • bobbified on 14/02/2019 - 17:10
        +2

        Quite obvious you've never dealt with stoners or tried marijuana haha.

        They might be doing a good deed by trying to free the dragon or unicorn that's trapped in the car! haha

        • brendanm on 14/02/2019 - 18:29

          Must be smoking lsd laced weed, those crazy stoners.

        • terrys on 15/02/2019 - 07:58
          +3

          You really shouldn't get your medical information from 1960's Readers Digests.

  • HighAndDry on 14/02/2019 - 15:28
    +2

    These days most cars come with car alarms and immobilisers paired to the car key, so there's no real need to have one more form of security when you're just parking it on daytrips etc. If it's always parked outside though (e.g. you don't have a secure carpark or lockup garage), then you might want a steering wheel lock for those times you might be leaving the car for many days or weeks at a time.

    Second bobbified that insurance is far more important than a steering wheel lock. (Also practice general car safety - valuables out of sight, etc).

  • cheaplee on 14/02/2019 - 15:50
    +1

    I also think steering wheel locks are built into most new cars. You can engage them after turning ignition off and turning wheel. Have to start car\turn key to release it. Although a big, heavy piece of steel strapped the the wheel is more of a visual deterrent for sure.

  • pegaxs on 14/02/2019 - 15:52
    +5

    *a lot

    Steering locks (or "Club Locks) are pointless. In most modern cars of the last 10 years, unless you have the matching key, there is no way to start it anyway.

    Steering locks, however, are still handy as a road rage repellent. (And pretty good at birth control as well)

    And I third what bobbified says. Meth addicts want what's in your car. coins, phone, GPS, camera… small, easy to grab things they can hock at cash converters for $10 for this next hit.

  • Davo1111 on 14/02/2019 - 16:12

    People dont steal cars unless they can be rebirthed or can use them for parts/on an old farm.

    Stoners are looking for change and valuables, not the car itself.

  • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2019 - 16:28
    +6

    The ones that lurk around the bush/parks/campgrounds are either:

    1. Seasoned opportunist - they carry powertools to cut roof boxes, straps, lock bars… an added steering lock is useless.

    2. Stoner/crackhead - they use a rock to smash the side window and clean you out. They're not going for the car unless you're leaving keys in there.

    3. Serial/cereal murderer - they'll be waiting in the backseat for you to return. Sometimes with cereal.

  • CMH on 14/02/2019 - 16:33
    +4

    Or drive a manual.

    As soon as they see that stick shift they'll start looking elsewhere.

    • Zachary on 15/02/2019 - 08:59
      +1

      wow, what's with car jackers and not being able to drive manual? You'd think if someone is gonna jack a vehicle, they would at least know HOW to drive one before they even begin….both auto and manual….

      For example I'm not gonna steal a tank coz I don't know how to drive one…..yet…or a helicopter….or a plane……maybe a truck….unless there are extra things you need to do thus requiring that LR/LV/MR/MV/HR/HV to be certified and competent in driving one of these…

      • farknos on 15/02/2019 - 10:48
        +2

        most of them learn to drive while raping and making deals in grand theft auto on a play station

  • rover on 14/02/2019 - 16:43
    +1

    Don't drive highly desriable and super performance vehicles, e.g. a Prius, get something sluggish and dorky, like a holden or ford. Also, don't leave valuables in sight.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2019 - 17:18
      +2

      Did not realise the Prius was highly desirable nor super performance.

    • theguru1 on 15/02/2019 - 08:01

      Not according to Toyota's sales figures it ain't.

  • Cluster on 14/02/2019 - 17:32

    Steering wheel locks were useful sometime until the mid 1990s when electronic immobilizers became standard on every vehicle. Now thieves are likely to do three things: Tow your vehicle away, break in to steal valuables, or break into your house to steal the keys. A steering wheel lock doesn't help in any scenario.

    There's a reason insurance companies don't ask if you use a steering wheel lock: it doesn't make a difference.

    • Zachary on 15/02/2019 - 10:08

      A steering wheel lock doesn't help in any scenario

      the Disklock does, in case #3….because u wont be able to drive off without breaking off the Disklock …without either a cutting torch or some explosives both of which would damage the steering wheel, maybe to the point of being inoperable….

      Tow your vehicle away

      Just clamp your tyres down, no more towing….

      break in to steal valuables

      Hide or don't leave anything of value to you behind…..

  • poohduck on 14/02/2019 - 18:26
    +1

    I hear you. I love the concept of simplicity that works and a fraction of the cost of complexity - think of Mr Bean and the chain around the door pillars. And, I have similar concerns - leaving a vehicle in a remote location while I go walking or on the mtb or whatever. Despite all the nay sayers - here's what you want: http://www.disklok.com.au/products.htm Oh, and car alarms just shit me - nobody takes any notice of them (it's proven) except to get annoyed. There's been a workaround for electric immobilizers for over a decade - we're back to Mr Bean :)

    • brendanm on 14/02/2019 - 18:32

      Please let us all know what the workaround is for vehicles with the immobiliser built into the BCM or ecu? aftermarket is easily defeated but not factory. Disklock is a waste of $200.

      • poohduck on 14/02/2019 - 18:41

        You could use google to check out both your statements

        • brendanm on 14/02/2019 - 18:42

          You made the statement, tell me how it works.

        • poohduck on 14/02/2019 - 18:45

          for the lazy folk: https://www.breakerlink.com/blog/security/thieves-bypassing-…
          http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/car-immobilizers-no-…

          One more, because it's diy and interesting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5PAQO6PtYM

          One more, toward the end of this video, it appears that higher end cars are kind of easier to bypass or copy their signal, it's even got a name "relay crime".

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6Wntha7ft8

          and a recent one for the steering lock itself: https://procarreviews.com/best-steering-wheel-lock/

          • brendanm on 14/02/2019 - 19:49

            @poohduck: Lol that first link is a joke. Second one meh. At any rate, op is concerned about leaving his car at random places, and it isn't a Ferrari, so likelihood of a thief bring their own keys, reader and ecu along for the exact model of ops car, as well as factory scan tools to marry them is quite low. The rest of the "hacks" need someone that is incredibly knowledgeable about encryption and cars, probably not the stoners hanging out near ops walking track.

            Take the tin foil hat off, if you don't have a car worth upward of $500k people probably aren't going to these lengths to steal it. If they want to get your car, they'll break into your house and grab the keys.

            • Zachary on 15/02/2019 - 09:32

              @brendanm:

              Having it close to hand means you do not need to get out of your car and it can be used for situations such as self defense or escaping through your car window.

              I guess this can be a benefit to having such a thing, besides the obvious anti-theft feature? hahaha

          • Zachary on 15/02/2019 - 09:16

            @poohduck:

            Older models of car will always be easier to steal than newer vehicles

            Sure they're easier but what are the chances of someone stealing a rust bucket over a brand new spic and span looking car(that isn't just a re-done up old model car to look more appealing)?

          • Zachary on 15/02/2019 - 10:04

            @poohduck: And if they ever somehow bypassed that, you could also place a GPS tracker in a hidden place so you at least know where you're car is 24/7 if it goes missing from where you last remember leaving it at….unless the thief is also smart enough to look for this as well before driving/towing off then you're screwed…hahaha…

            OH that lock also doesn't prevent the car from being towed…….so you would need a tyre lock as well as the steering lock to be 100% safe!

  • brendanm on 14/02/2019 - 18:31

    I've seen a few club locks lately, weirdly they have been in cars with inbuilt immobilisers, or cars that noone would want to steal, or both in the way of a clapped out vt commodore. Complete waste of time and money.

  • [Deactivated] on 14/02/2019 - 20:13

    I think the whole point of club locks, is as a deterrent . If 2 identical cars are there in an empty carpark, 1 has has club lock , other doesn't, chances are 99.9% of the time the crims would go for the 1 without the extra (and obvious security). Most crims ain't that smart, and wouldn't be fully aware that this 2017 Hyundai i30 (or any model/make) has xxx alarm system, model xxx immobilizer etc.
    A big chunky metal club lock on the otherhand, is going to stand out like dogs balls .

    Those defending 'stoners' I think have misunderstood what OP is getting at. He isn't having a go at 'stoners' .
    It's just that in my experience, up in isolated locations good for bushwalking, isolated empty carparks next to beaches here, you often smell marijuana coming from cars parked there. I guess it's mostly teens who are old enough to drive, but not old enough to have their own home to do this in private.
    There are plenty of teens drunk around here also, but they don't tend to be in cars. They tend to be hanging round beach either on the beach itself, or nearby bushes. Also on trains going from place to place (I was on train with bunch of drunk teens other night) I guess on their way to house parties etc.
    So I don't think OP is in any way saying stoners are worse than drunks. It's just that the drunks ain't usually in isolated carparks. Stoners usually are. So that is what he sees there (or smells there) .

  • TheOtherLeft on 15/02/2019 - 08:09

    Steering locks have always been visual deterrents only.

    My suggestion, as others have said is to not leave any valuables in sight, but I would add, keep your glovebox/centre console empty and open so can be seen from the outside that they are empty.

    My car was broken into at home (unsecured car park) and all they stole were blank post it notes, store membership cards (with no contact details) from te centre console. They did however miss the $1000 worth of tools I used for 4wding located under the drivers seat.

  • JIMB0 on 15/02/2019 - 10:47

    Just take the rotor button out of the distributor and take it with you. Or swap a few plug leads around so it runs like crap and they take another car.

  • savage bargain on 15/02/2019 - 14:24
    -1

    I know some people who's cars has been broken into a few times (classy area but near a bunch of bars) where they just leave their cars unlocked with no valuables so they don't have to keep getting the window fixed. All the alarm did was alert them at 3am that they were going to have to get the windows fixed again - they're happier finding out after a solid night's sleep.

    As their cars can't start without a key and they had no valuables in the cars, they've saved money since leaving them unlocked.

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