How Do Steering Wheel Locks Work?

People are always looking for ways to protect their cars from theft. Over the years, this tool has received a lot of attention and is growing in popularity. Today, many people still wonder how well they work. Is the steering wheel lock anti-theft? In this article, we determine how do steering wheel locks work and how effective they are. Our guide also shows you what to look for in a steering wheel lock. We even offer some suggestions for keeping your vehicle safer.

What Is A Steering Wheel Lock?

The steering wheel lock is an outstanding visual deterrent against future theft and provides some measure of physical anti-theft. It is a metal rod that is connected to the steering wheel to prevent it from turning. The lock can only be unlocked with a dedicated key, so anyone without the key will not be able to drive.

There are two parts to locking the steering wheel. It will have a locking mechanism and an external structure to attach directly to the steering wheel.

How Do Steering Wheel Locks Work?

Steering wheel lock works by locking the steering wheel in place with the use of a long rod, making it impossible to bend the steering wheel without removing the bar. Some models also have a brake pedal lock bar.

Is The Steering Wheel Locks Effective?

Protecting your car from theft is everyone’s top concern. You may have seen steering wheel locks before. And, you may be wondering if it works. Honestly, they’re better than nothing, but they’re not 100% effective.

Steering wheel locks work, but they’re not 100% burglar-proof. The best way to keep your vehicle safe is to use multiple layers of prevention to prevent theft.

Most people have seen the steering wheel lock at some point. They look like a long, stretched metal rod on the steering wheel. They are intended to prevent people from operating vehicles when they are in use. Finally, if a thief gets into your car, they won’t be able to steer. They may still have it turned on. But, they won’t get far after that!

The original-design lock stretches across the handles from side to side. The wheel cannot rotate around its axis when the unit is in place. Usually, you have to remove them before driving. Improved designs are heavier and more difficult to disassemble. These wrap around the entire handlebar. They are also harder to overcome.

If you intend to use a steering wheel lock, use one of the improved designs. At the very least, they will prevent your car from being stolen. However, you should not rely on them as your only means of security. Otherwise, you may be disappointed in their performance.

Types of Steering Wheel Locks

Traditional lock

The most commonly used is the traditional lock type. That’s the standard bar shape you can see with the most famous steering lock nowadays, the Club. There are hooks on the sides for attaching to the handlebars. The wheel cannot spin as long as it is locked in place.

Attached key

The included steering wheel covers the entire wheel. With this type of lock, you can experience a higher level of security. However, the padlock is heavier and bulkier than the traditional type. You may have trouble putting it away when not in use.

Wheel-to-pedal locks

Wheel-to-pedal locks can be the most complicated. It hooks to the steering wheel, as well as the clutch or brake pedal of the car. With this double layer of protection, you get extra security. This system is less visible to thieves, so many of them cannot see it until they break in, which is a drawback.

Can Cars Be Stolen With Steering Wheel Locks?

Yes, a car can still be stolen if it has a steering wheel lock. Sometimes, thieves can cut the steering wheel with ease. They can lift it out of place pretty fast and painlessly. And then they will hand the pain directly to you. Other times, they cut the device themselves. At that point, it’s no longer helpful.

However, larger locks can be a bit more efficient. For example, Disklok is a pretty good product to check out.

Even larger devices are not easy to take off, it may only take longer to detach them. A determined thief can still remove them from your car. If they know what they’re doing, they can do it in less than 4 minutes.

However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use one of them. Placing a steering wheel lock on your car makes it a less attractive target. Someone still has to deal with it before they can drive away.

Prevent Your Car From Being Stolen

Here are some common effective ways to maximize your vehicle’s protection and safety.

Avoid leaving valuables and assets on the vehicle.

Your car itself is valuable, even if it’s older. Even used cars can make a lot of money with usable parts. For this reason, you don’t want to give the thief any more reason to steal your car.

Use multiple security methods or devices.

The steering wheel lock is a prominent anti-theft device, but it’s not all of its uses. If you want to protect your vehicle optimally, you need to increase security with both car safety technologies and devices.

A good way to ensure your vehicle’s safety is to install an aftermarket warning system. You can install these alarms at a reasonable cost. And they will give you more peace of mind. If your car already has an alarm, make sure it is on at all times.

You can install GPS in car. That will help you easily locate your car if it goes missing. You can also prevent the car from starting in the first place. Just open the hood and find the relay box. Look for the fuses after that, and pull out one of them to prevent the engine from starting. Just pull the relay until you take it out of the box. Before restarting the car, you need to replace it. However, the thief will not be able to start the vehicle without a new relay installed.

Another method is putting a boot on a car tire. These prevent the wheels from spinning. Sometimes the parking agency puts them in parked cars where they shouldn’t be.

Lock the steering wheel, pull the relay, and set the starter, all at once. With those grades, no one is going to move your car without a serious effort at the time.

Lock the door

This action may seem obvious to some, but many people still leave the car with the door unlocked.

Before leaving the vehicle, check all doors to ensure they are locked. Simply locking the door can make it much less attractive to any thief. They have to turn the lock before entering the door. That takes longer, and it can make sound, too. Also, you should take a close look at the windows. If you leave it open, thieves can notice and try to get in.

>> See more: Common Reasons Why Car Doors Won’t Lock

Park your car in a well-lit area

Take a look at the area where you are parking. If it seems shady and deserted, it may not be the best location for your car. Instead, choose a populated area. If you are parking somewhere at night, look for well-lit parking areas. You may not want to park your car in a dark corner where thieves can work on your car undetected.

Wrapping Up On How Do Steering Wheel Locks Work

We have just gone through some notices on how do steering wheel locks work. Hope you already gain some insight \to handle your steering wheel locks effectively and prevent your car from being stolen. The methods are plentiful for your choice. As long as you know how to layer your security devices and manage them smartly, not a single person can lay hands on your steering wheel.

Good luck, and see you later for other helpful notices on Car From Japan.