5. Steering Wheel Lock (Clublock, Prolock, etc)
- Anti-Theft Devices
Steering wheel locks look tough, but in reality they offer very little real security against modern car thieves.
What are they?
A physical lock prevents the steering wheel from turning.
Pros:
- Cheap and easy to install.
- Visible deterrent for an unorganised thief.
- Affordable. Can be purchased from as little as $30
Cons:
1. They can be removed in seconds
Most steering wheel locks—especially the common “club” style—can be defeated in:
- 5–20 seconds with bolt cutters
- Under 10 seconds with an angle grinder
- A few seconds by simply cutting the steering wheel itself
Thieves often slice the steering wheel, slip the lock off, and drive away.
2. They don’t protect against electronic theft
Modern vehicle theft is mostly electronic, not physical.
Steering wheel locks provide zero protection against:
- Key cloning
- OBD reprogramming
- Relay attacks
- CAN injection
- BCM manipulation
- Tow-truck thefts
A lock on the wheel does nothing when the thief can start the car electronically.
3. They only work if the thief wants to drive the car away
Many thieves now:
- Tow the car
- Push the car
- Winch the car
- Reprogram a key and drive off
The steering lock only prevents steering, not movement.
A tow truck can remove a car in a matter of seconds—steering lock or not.
4. They rely on being a “visible deterrent”
Steering locks were designed for an era when thieves were opportunistic teens with no tools.
Today’s thieves are:
- Organised
- Equipped
- Tech-savvy
- Often targeting specific models
A visible deterrent means nothing to someone who already came prepared and knows how to remove it quickly.
5. Cheap locks are extremely weak
The majority of locks sold at auto parts stores:
- Use low-grade metal
- Have cheap internal mechanisms
- Are vulnerable to picking, drilling, or crushing
Even premium locks (like Clublock or Prolock) can be defeated—just not as quickly.
6. They don’t prevent damage
Thieves often:
- Cut the wheel
- Cut the lock
- Break interior plastics
Even if the lock buys you 10 extra seconds, it still often results in damage without preventing the theft.
7. False sense of security
Steering wheel locks are often recommended by news outlets, even police.
Drivers think,
“I’ve got a steering lock, so I’m safe.”
Meanwhile, organised thieves who use electronics can steal the vehicle without ever touching the lock.
This leads to underestimating real risks like:
- Key programming
- Key scanning
- Signal boosting
- BCM or CAN manipulation
So, are they completely useless?
Not totally. They offer:
- A minor visual deterrent
- A bit of inconvenience for low-skilled thieves
But against modern theft?
They are one of the least effective security devices available.