Car steering locks versus pedal locks
The simple “umbrella” steering lock, also known as a “gorilla lock”, is apparently making a comeback on the car accessory scene. Consultants at two spares outlets we canvassed during the preparation of this article reported that there has been a significant “rush” on these devices at their shops in recent weeks, probably indicating reports of increased car thefts in their areas.
In the past decade or so, the simple slip-on steering locks had come to be seen as old-tech, as advanced electronics seemed to have made car theft increasingly tricky. However, more recently, sophisticated electronic cloning devices have been developed by thieves to bypass many electronic door-locking and ignition systems. This is one of the reasons that many people have reverted to slipping on a steering lock between the spokes of a steering wheel. Can a security device lower your insurance though? There's some tips over here to get the best car insurance.
Steering locks are a visual deterrent
Another reason for employing an old-fashioned steering lock is that these devices act as a visual deterrent to car theft. A steering lock can be easily seen by a would-be thief prowling a parking lot for a possible victim. The chances are that a thief would rather choose a car to steal that isn’t fitted with a steering lock because removing one would involve some serious effort and possibly create noise that would attract attention.
Alternatives to steering locks
There are two mechanical alternatives to slip-on steering locks. These are pedal locks and gear-lever locks. Gear lever locks were popular a decade ago but seem to have fallen out of favour as installing them meant making alterations to the car’s centre console to mount the locking device. Here are some top security options for your new car.
Pedal locks can be effective in preventing a car from being moved once a thief has gained access. But they are awkward to fit, as they involve crouching down in the pedal area of a car to install them. For this reason, a motorist travelling to a supermarket or shopping centre for shopping, or perhaps a lunch break, would not be likely to go to the trouble of installing and removing a pedal box locking device for a short interval. Unfortunately, it is precisely during these short parking intervals that many cars are stolen. Maybe is this one of the security devices you should have fitted to your new car?
Steering locks are readily available
For this reason, our money is firmly on the steering lock as the preferred, hassle-free theft-foiling device. And talking of money, they are generally cheaper than a pedal lock and much more readily available. Although an internet search revealed that pedal locks are in fact available in South Africa, many are rather crude, and they are not generally obtainable from general motor spares outlets, whereas steering locks are.
Easy to operate
To operate an extendable steering lock, you simply insert the hooks of one side of the lock on the inside of the steering wheel and then extend the arm on this telescoping locking device so that the corresponding hook snugs in securely on the opposite, inner side of the steering wheel rim. Be aware that the arm will only extend and then lock into place. To retract the extending arm, you have to unlock the device.
The arms beyond the hooks prevent the wheel from being turned
Extending beyond the hooks, on the device, are longer arms that then prevent the steering wheel from being rotated, as these extensions would bump against the windscreen or the side window. As the hooks are slotted in between the steering wheel spokes, the steering lock with its extended arms is forced to follow the rotation of the steering wheel.
Removing the lock would require some serious mechanical force to break it, as good-quality ones are made out of very solid metal. The locks they use are also quite complex, so picking the lock would be difficult.
But check that they will work with your car’s steering wheel
The cost of these devices ranges from about R100 to just under R400, and in our view, they represent money well spent. One caution, however, is to check whether they will in fact work on your particular car. Cars with steering wheels that have thick centre bolstering in the hooter or airbag area may not be able to accommodate the lock. The linear design of these locks when extended might mean that a domed centre section of the steering wheel would prevent them from being hooked into place. So consult your spares salesman when you consider buying one and preferably have your car parked outside so that you run a test on a sample to see if it works on your car’s steering wheel.
Maybe you want a hybrid of the two
Make sure your car key sets each has a steering lock key attached
As another cautionary note, make sure that your car’s keys carry a key for the steering lock on the key ring. We know of at least one person who set out for a shopping expedition, installed the steering lock, and then realised that on the set of keys being used for the car’s doors and ignition, the steering lock key was not present. Once you have snapped that lock home, your car will be immobile!
