Car anti-theft devices

vadek

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding mechanical anti-theft devices such as steering wheel locks? They all look a bit clunky to me and I'd be worried about being stuck if I can't remove it myself. Is it worth using a steering wheel lock on a reasonably new car fitted with an immobiliser? Do these devices actually deter thieves?

hollie.weimeraner

vadek wrote: »

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding mechanical anti-theft devices such as steering wheel locks? They all look a bit clunky to me and I'd be worried about being stuck if I can't remove it myself. Is it worth using a steering wheel lock on a reasonably new car fitted with an immobiliser? Do these devices actually deter thieves?

I used to have a Disklok (circular lock) http://www.disklokuk.co.uk/

Probably the most secure type made.

If thieves are looking to steal a car and they see yours with a disklok and one next to it without then they will most likely take the easiest option.

It depends how attractive your car is to thieves and whether it can be accessed by the new keyless thefts. If I had a merc or a Range Rover then I think I would consider one. As I don't I just put my keys in a metal tin at night which stops the key signal.

Richard53

hollie.weimeraner wrote: »

If thieves are looking to steal a car and they see yours with a disklok and one next to it without then they will most likely take the easiest option.

This is the point. If a thief wants your car/bike/hovercraft enough, he will take it one way or another. All you can do is


a) slow him down (increases chances of being seen)
b) make it hard work (thieves generally don't like hard work, it's in the job description)
c) make your property less desirable than the competition.


A disklok does all of this. It is highly visible, and almost impossible to remove without the key. Just make sure you get the right size. But it is a bit of a lump to move around in the car, and it has to be stored somewhere, so it's not terribly convenient. I would trust to the locks/alarm/immobiliser on a posh car, and use a disklok with an older, more easily stolen, car. There are a lot of scare stories about the theft of keyless cars, but I haven't seen enough evidence of proven cases to worry about it yet. Plus I am never likely to own a car posh enough.

Ant555

I use a lock very similar to these for an old Mx5 I have.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carpoint-0510073-Steering-Wheel-Elephant/dp/B006GBCKZK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/neilsen-CT1716-Universal-Anti-Theft-Steering/dp/B003R7W8TY

Partly because there is no room in the car so this stows neatly behind the seat (I dont think a big disc version would).

Hope this helps

facade

Richard53 wrote: »

There are a lot of scare stories about the theft of keyless cars, but I haven't seen enough evidence of proven cases to worry about it yet.

My neighbour had his boy racer fiesta (2016) stolen.


The thieves popped the drivers window glass, plugged a laptop into the obd port, defeated all the security and drove it away. (well, we surmised this from the drivers window glass fragments on the drive, and the fact that Fords are almost as easy to steal as rangerovers.)


Amazingly he got it back, now he has a disklok on the steering wheel, and one of those alarms that chirps if you go within 10 feet of it.

fatrab

What about a gear lever lock? Less bulky than steering wheel locks.

[Deleted User]

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/95031/best-steering-wheel-locks

Ectophile

The disc locks are heavy awkward things, but they do work.


I have one which still has the scars where somebody tried to remove it with bolt cutters. They failed to get it off.

EdGasketTheSecond

The downside is all mechanical locks are bulky and heavy. Plus everytime you remove it, you are supposed to store it in the boot as you don't want that flying round the cabin in the event of a crash. Its all very inconvenient but the price we pay for crime, even if not a direct victim, and the lack of police resources/ suitable deterrents.

Mercdriver

The trouble with the disklok is that humans can be lazy or complacent and if it is unwieldy to use, you might decide not to use it in certain circumstances. Say you only mean to be away in a cafe for a short time, but then go and do some shopping, or get home dog tired and don't bother and because you have got into the habit of putting the keys down somewhere quick to grab them because of the extra security of the disklok...

vadek

facade wrote: »

My neighbour had his boy racer fiesta (2016) stolen.


The thieves popped the drivers window glass, plugged a laptop into the obd port, defeated all the security and drove it away. (well, we surmised this from the drivers window glass fragments on the drive, and the fact that Fords are almost as easy to steal as rangerovers.)


Amazingly he got it back, now he has a disklok on the steering wheel, and one of those alarms that chirps if you go within 10 feet of it.

I have a Ford, so thanks for that! :eek: