Mechanical Security on your Car - anyone still use one ?

[fossyant]

Many moons ago, I bought a Disklok for a car I had for a number of years. Roll on when cars came with immobilisers and a matched key, you couldn't steel them without the key. Now with the contactless keys, cars seem a whole lot easier to steel, from grabbing the signal, to popping headlamps out and going in through wiring looms with a PC connected.

Do any of you bother with additional security. I don't, but I've dug out the old Disklok and given it a quick respray (it had already been resprayed, and added some new foam trim to protect the steering wheel). In the next few weeks I'll be parking in Dundee and Glasgow overnight (won't be camping in the van), and will use the lock just as an additional deterrent. I don't usually bother as I keep my 'key' in a faraday pouch as it is.

 

[Dogtrousers]

You're not alone. A friend of mine - a retired engineer from the automotive industry - is so distrustful of the contactless wotnots on her new car that she has dug out a steering wheel lock that she uses when it's parked in a public place. Her argument is like yours - it's an additional deterrent. Maybe the current generation of theiving scrotes have never seen such a thing.

 

[DCLane]

I've a steering wheel lock that fits on the Honda CR-V, which is used occasionally if the car's parked somewhere odd overnight.

 

[ianrauk]

We use a steering wheel lock. When ever and where ever parked.

 

[Drago]

I uee a Disklok Diamond on the van.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I don't use one. I used to, in ye olde days but I don't know what happened to it. I think I may have left it in a car that I sold.

As it is my car is pretty old. It does have central locking but it also has an ignition key (remember them?). It's not much of a prize for would be thieves. And it wouldn't be a huge loss to me if someone nicked it.

 

[vickster]

Yep, I’ve got a steering lock which is always on overnigh. Much cheaper than driveway bollard!
I had a car stolen off my driveway in 2012, still no idea how (I still have the key!)

 

[potsy]

We use a steering wheel lock. When ever and where ever parked.

Same here, have always used them on my cars.

Anything that deters a potential thief and makes them go after a softer target instead has to be worth it

 

[fossyant]

Hmm, might just start using the disklok more. Mine is the original design with a separate padlock. I couldn't initially find it when I bought the van, it was in the garage loft somewhere. It was in plain sight when the garage door was down - found it eventually when on 'the turbo trainer' - just happened to spot it.

 

[Drago]

When I were in the dibble when Moses were knee hight to a grasshopper, Disklok was the only device device that gave a consistent and above average chance of defeating Johnny Scumbag. Even Trumpton have to resort to HD gear to remove them, amd that makes a lot of noise.

The new Diamond versions some some kind of compsite of different metals at key points and very difficult to grind off, and as grinding makes a lot of noise the more you slow them down the less they like it.

We'd often see CCTV where Freddie Sheetbag and his mates would recce a car, spot the Disklok, have a visible conflab with much pointing and head shaking, and then wander off and steal the same model from two streets away instead. The deterrent effect is huge.

Nothing is infallible, but the best chance of finding your car where you left it is a Disklok.

 

[fossyant]

Refurbed with new felt fitted to the inside to protect the steering wheel. The surface isn't smooth and full of chips as this thing is maybe 30 years old. Bought when they came out.