When it comes to car security, it’s essential to add layers of security rather than just one type, like a steering lock. Don’t get me wrong, the steering lock can help prevent your car from being stolen, but it’s not without its flaws. Ultimately, we wonder if the steering locks are doing their job.
The steering wheels lock in place as part of the vehicle’s security features. The primary purpose of a locked wheel is to prevent vehicle movement when the key is missing, or the wrong key is inserted into the ignition.
Over the years, many car thieves and TV shows have proven to discredit the effectiveness of steering locks since the release of “The Club“, which is one of the original steering locks to hit the market. Thanks to The Club, the range of the steering lock has skyrocketed, and many copies have been invented and even revised to make thefts even more difficult. In this article, we will have a look at some of the best anti-theft steering wheel locks and will see if they are actually effective against car theft or not.
Quick Links To Specific Parts Of The Article
- Comparison Table To Best Steering Wheel Locks
- What Is A Steering Wheel Lock?
- How Does A Steering Wheel Lock Work?
- Best Anti Theft Steering Wheel Lock That Prevents Car Theft
- Does Steering Wheel Lock Prevent Car Theft?
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Comparison Table To Best Steering Wheel Locks
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | CHECK ON AMAZON |
|---|---|---|---|
 | (Best Overall) |
| Check Product On Amazon |
 | (Best Design) |
| Check Product On Amazon |
 | (Best Affordable) |
| Check Product On Amazon |
 | (Heavy Duty) |
| Check Product On Amazon |
What Is A Steering Wheel Lock?
An anti-theft steering wheel lock is a metal with plastic lock bar type device that stretches over your car’s steering wheel to prevent it from being driven properly by the wrong hands. This means that if a thief starts your car and tries to drive it without first removing the lock, he will not be able to drive the car properly, rendering it useless and hopefully leading to no theft altogether.
How Does A Steering Wheel Lock Work?
The philosophy behind a steering lock is quite primitive. Still, it works fine. Attaching a large piece of metal to the steering wheel to make it more difficult to turn and therefore impossible to drive without removing it will probably have a deterrent effect on thieves.
Best Anti Theft Steering Wheel Lock That Prevent Car Theft
1. The Club 1000 Original Club Steering Wheel Lock
This brand is as synonymous with address blocked as Kleenex is with tissues. Quite a few competing manufacturers happily allow their customers to refer to their product as Club when it is a real brand.
The patented auto-lock feature secures with a simple pull, its hooks fitting snugly against the inner circumference of the steering wheel rim. By the way, these hooks are made of solid steel, covered with the brand’s red paint. This particular offering from The Club (and there are many) will fit steering wheels with an internal dimension of 8.75 to 14 inches.
Pros
- The most recognizable brand
- Easy to use
- Universal fit
Cons
- Nothing as such
2. Universal Rotary Steering Wheel Lock
This steering lock could be the solution if the club is too complicated or too expensive. Fits most steering wheels and is designed to clip onto the top of the steering wheel and rest against the dashboard. This prevents the steering wheel from turning, as the yellow tab will hit a stationary part of the car, for lack of a better word.
Of course, it all depends on your car’s dashboard design. Owners of a Saturn ion, for example, will be out of luck. First, however, you must be wondering what kind of thief bothers to steal an ion. They’d probably better steal some Reeboks.
Pros
- The compact size means you can throw it under the seat
- Affordable
- Easy to set
Cons
- Effectiveness highly dependent on car design
3. Disklok Full Cover Security Device
Although advertised as a directional lock, this lock looks to all eyes like a medieval torture device that one might find in the Tower of London. This annoying Disklok spell check sticks to the entire wheel, turning it into some post-apocalyptic drum face. Airbag sabotage theft is included as a feature, but one wonders what would happen if a thief intentionally detonated it. The unique design of the wheel lock also prevents keyless car theft.
There’s also a Club-style appendage on top of the Disklok, a feature that supposedly interferes with the car’s steering. Suitable for cars with steering wheels between 13.7 and 15.3 inches in diameter.
Pros
- It will also help prevent airbag theft
- Highly effective
- Deters keyless entry theft
Cons
- Little bulky
4. Wheel-to-Pedal Lock
This steering wheel lock style goes between the steering wheel and one of the car’s pedals. In theory, the wheel and pedal joint should prevent using the pedal, leaving the thief without brakes or a clutch pedal. It stays hidden from a traditional steering lock, which can be good or bad, depending on what you’re talking about.
Is it better for the thief to see the device and move on? Could they cause senseless damage inside out of frustration once they open the door and then see this thing? The answer depends on you.
Pros
- Out of sight attracts less attention than other locks
- Double security as it locks both wheel and pedal
- Universal and adjustable design
Cons
- It may not fit all the cars out there
5. Wrap! Block Vehicle Theft Steering Wheel Lock with Alarm
This product is similar to the one mentioned in the previous two entries but works slightly differently. First of all, it looks like someone has put a yellow marker on the bat sign, which can be good or bad depending on whether you think announcing an anti-theft device out loud is a good idea.
Constructed of resin and reinforced with stainless steel, sellers claim it won’t get hot in the unforgiving summer sun like other products in this segment.
Pros
- Compact design
- Comes with a loud alarm
- Univeral design
Cons
- Price could have been a little less
6. Keyless Steering Wheel Lock
Works just like the Club, this lock fits between the edge of the steering wheel as a theft deterrent. We’re amused that the seller is choosing to show it in action on a new Rolls Royce, as that car is probably less likely to have such a device.
Pros
- Keyless lock
- Easy to use
- Resettable code
Cons
- Nothing specific
7. Oklead Universal Car Steering Wheel Lock
Here’s a device that attempts to marry just about every lockdown configuration we’ve seen so far in this article. A yellow helmet-shaped shield falls over the car’s steering wheel, extending over the center of the airbag while gripping about a third of the edge.
Meanwhile, an extension arm extends directly from the device, serving as both a locking mechanism and a club-like appendage that makes steering more difficult. In addition, such a design introduces a potential point of failure not seen in other locks.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Quick deployment
- Unique design
Cons
- It may not fit all the steering wheels
Does Steering Wheel Lock Prevent Car Theft?
It’s a fact that steering wheel locks are detachable. Thanks to the wonder of Google, you will find people everywhere who can easily pick the lock or cut it with power tools. Most will follow your success in beating the system by saying that these things are very effective. It just isn’t true.
Car thieves don’t want to stay long. While they can bypass your security measures, the longer they take to steal a car, the more likely they are to get caught. The harder it is to defeat it, the better. That’s why you want to take your time shopping around for the best steering wheel locks.
Conclusion
While it’s easy to say steering locks don’t work very well at deterring thieves, that doesn’t mean they’re entirely useless. There are several real-world success stories and positive testimonials online on devices like The Club and Disklok.
However, if you want to keep your car safe, no single solution will prevent a thief from stealing it. If a thief wants your car, he will find a way to get it. In this case, it may be better to add different levels of security (car lock, alarm, steering lock, a GPS device, etc.) to keep the car where you parked it. A steering lock can work in some situations but is much better when combined with other anti-theft devices.
FAQs
The wrong size lock for your vehicle can leave marks or scratches, but the correct size lock should not be a problem with proper care and use. Either way, you can always place a soft layer of padding between the contact points for extra protection.
Much will depend on the design of the steering lock. For the conventional bar type, extend the lock until the two hooks engage with the opposite spokes of the steering wheel, then lock it in place with the key.
If you can find your spare key, try it out first. If you also lost it, call a locksmith before trying anything drastic, like using a hacksaw or drilling out the lock cylinder.
Any steering lock strong enough to withstand all types of manipulation will work well. Still, we believe that a well-constructed steering lock is particularly effective because it prevents using both the steering wheel and the pedal.
