
They hook to one end of your steering wheel and just pull out to the proper length to automatically lock. The best of these require no key to “arm” them. How easy is it to use?Ī steering wheel lock should be easy to both engage and disengage (so long as you have the key). Physical design elements such as twin hooks on each end will also tend to enhance the visual deterrent factor of the lock. Bare steel is a great deterrent, but some manufacturers will also cover the shaft and hooks with a brightly colored yellow or red coating to draw attention to it. The more durable it appears to be, the more likely thieves will be to leave it alone. In addition to physically protecting your car, the appearance of a steering wheel lock can also be a powerful deterrent. The more compact it can become, the easier it will be to store when you’re not using it. You should also know how short the lock can become, either through telescoping or folding. Check a steering wheel lock listing for dimensions on how far it can telescope, and measure your steering wheel to verify a fit. Here’s a general rule of thumb: the larger it telescopes out, the larger the steering wheel it will work with. With others, you might have trouble fitting them to trucks, SUVs, and other recreational vehicles. One big question you should ask yourself before buying one of these locks is: will it fit your vehicle? Some steering wheel locks claim to offer a universal fit, extending far enough to cover everything from a Mini Cooper to a Silverado truck. Any coating used should not peel or easily break down through use or exposure to UV rays. Though they are part aesthetic, these coatings can also keep your steering wheel from becoming scratched up when the lock is in place. Some manufacturers also coat the shaft and hooks with a softer plastic or foam material. Steel is not only durable and difficult to damage deliberately but is also a potent visual deterrent. Titanium is also sometimes used for elements of a steering wheel lock. This will invariably be some form of steel, be it solid steel, tempered steel, or a chromoly steel alloy. The entire premise of this product is security, so it should come as no surprise that steering wheel locks typically use a strong material in both the shaft and hooks. Other models use a modified design to lock up the steering wheel or even cover the entire steering wheel in a locked cover. Some classic steering wheel locks also attach to the clutch or brake pedal, making them even more secure. The basic design of the steering wheel lock keeps the steering wheel from turning.
#Car club lock free#
To free your wheel, unlock the rod and store it away until the next time you wish to use it. The classic design of a steering wheel lock is a telescoping rod with two hooks and a lock, To use, you attach one hook to the steering wheel, then extend the other hook to the other side of the wheel and lock the rod in place. Oftentimes the mere presence of a lock on your steering wheel will cause a thief to pass your car by and search for an easier target. Even more importantly, steering wheel locks present an obstacle for a thief to overcome. Even if they can start it, they will be stuck going in one direction. Steering wheel locks essentially keep thieves from being able to steer your car. This exceedingly strong material is especially difficult to saw through. Chromoly steel is used in some steering wheel locks.
