Aren't steering wheel locks and security posts pointless?

[Vertigo]

Every time I see cars on a driveway with a steering wheel lock on or a security post at the driveway entrance, I'm forced to wonder what the point is.

Given that you need the keys to steal most cars these days, if they're going to break in for the keys, then they're just going to take the keys to the steering wheel lock and/or security post too, which are probably on the same keyring.

Or am I missing something?

 

[Jim99]

IMO it is for those cases where you don't need the keys, e.g. keyless entry relay or breaking open the wiring and manipulating the electronics to start it.

The average person who's doing those kind of tactics is going to pick one of the 99 cars that doesn't have a lock rather than the 1 that does.

And even if they're planning to break into the house, it probably gives them the impression that the homeowner has other security measures and reduces the chances that they'll choose that house.

 

[TheVoice]

Relay thefts and bypassing the need for any key entirely are very common at the moment, lots of thefts occur at public car parks, railway station car parks etc. Plus it serves as an additional deterrent.

 

[adolf hamster]

my understanding is that relay attacks or obd attacks mean without a key you just unlock the car like you own it, hop in and drive away.

a physical restraint might be old school, but it requires more skill than loading up an app you found on the dark web to achieve and when it comes to theft any small thing that increases risk makes the next target 3 doors down a more tempting prospect.

 

[gc123]

IMO it is for those cases where you don't need the keys, e.g. keyless entry relay or breaking open the wiring and manipulating the electronics to start it.

The average person who's doing those kind of tactics is going to pick one of the 99 cars that doesn't have a lock rather than the 1 that does.

And even if they're planning to break into the house, it probably gives them the impression that the homeowner has other security measures and reduces the chances that they'll choose that house.

exactly the idea is move them to another house/car to break in steal. similar to parking near a more expensive motor in the car park, make yours less appealing

 

[Vertigo]

Interesting, thanks for the replies.

Another question then...

How would you rate a physical steering lock versus something like a Ghost?

If someone was prepared to break into your house for the keys, surely you'd rather they just took them and left. Wouldn't a Ghost make it more likely they'd threaten you for the start code/procedure?

 

[MissChief]

You’re attempting to stop the opportunist thief who may decide trying to steal your car isn’t worth the extra time, hassle and noise if it has physical deterrents as well as electronic ones. You’re making your car more difficult to steal. Of course if the thieves are after your car specifically, then physical impediments are unlikely to stop them, but that’s always been the case.

 

[Resident]

I read the OP and was about to reply but then scrolled and read @MissChief 's post and she has it pretty much nailed.

 

[Haggisman]

Other posters have pretty much covered it, but essentially you have 2 types of car thief:

An opportunist looking for "a car" to steal; e.g. they just want to joyride, or something to use for a couple of hours to commit another crime before dumping.

Someone who wants your car; e.g. it's something particularly desirable and/or they're stealing to order.

Physical deterrents are great against the first, they'll just move on to something easier.

Not so great against the latter. Nothing is going to make it "impossible" to steal, and if they really want it, then the end game is that they wake you up in the middle of the night with a knife at your kids throat demanding the keys/codes to whatever security measures you have in place.

Completely depends on the car you have and how desirable/rare it is.

 

[Vertigo]

I get the distinction between an opportunist thief and someone who is after your car specifically.

Thing is, the deterrent factor only really works on the former. A steering lock or Ghost would work well for opportunists, perhaps when you're out and parked up somewhere, but if someone is specifically targetting your car, because there isn't another one a few doors down (with lesser protection) then things like a steering lock or immobiliser become a potential hazard as it could make them more likely to break in for the keys or code.

What got me thinking about all this is I'm about to switch my car to something a bit more "nickable" and was wondering whether to get a steering lock or Ghost or just not bother.

 

[radderfire]

How would you rate a physical steering lock versus something like a Ghost?

If someone was prepared to break into your house for the keys, surely you'd rather they just took them and left. Wouldn't a Ghost make it more likely they'd threaten you for the start code/procedure?

The Ghost is vastly superior in terms of vehicle security, as physical steering locks can be removed with tools.

I would say security is best thought of in terms of layers. The more layers you can put in, the better.

Garaging the car out of sight is a big step forward.

Block the car in with a cheaper car.

Fit security gates.

Fit a tracker.

Have CCTV.

Have motion detection lighting.

Make your house hard to break into.

Live in a house which is not isolated.

etc

 

[radderfire]

Also, live in a low crime area.

Buy a car that does not have known security flaws.

 

[Nasher]

You DONT need the keys to steal modern cars, that's why these locks have made a comeback

Some of them are actually trivial to break in to without keys, or even setting the alarm off. Some of them you can literally smash the side window (as no glass break sensors, making the alarm a waste of wires), plug a laptop in to the data port and program a new key.

 

[artemis789]

I get the distinction between an opportunist thief and someone who is after your car specifically.

Thing is, the deterrent factor only really works on the former. A steering lock or Ghost would work well for opportunists, perhaps when you're out and parked up somewhere, but if someone is specifically targetting your car, because there isn't another one a few doors down (with lesser protection) then things like a steering lock or immobiliser become a potential hazard as it could make them more likely to break in for the keys or code.

What got me thinking about all this is I'm about to switch my car to something a bit more "nickable" and was wondering whether to get a steering lock or Ghost or just not bother.

Personally, I see no down-sides to employing both systems.

Layers of security, as pointed out above by username radderfire, is what I personally would be looking for.

 

[Mekrel]

Essentially, any security can be overcome if the thieves want and are willing to risk anything to take the vehicle. It's been seen before where people have been threatened during a break in for either the keys and/or security code.

There was a thread on here recently about car security and a poster with a Giulia Quadrifoglio, had an attempt thwarted by his disclok because the thieves were not that sophisticated. They were trying the relay hack until they saw the disclok.

If they were more sophisticated with the tools to unlock the car via CANBUS and had an angle grinder, and we're prepared to be violent should the noise of the grinder attract attention, then it could have been a different story.

Any CANBUS protection such as the likes of Ghost also have their downsides. 1) if your vehicle is brand new, the manufacturer could argue it has invalidated your warranty which could get messy arguing against and 2) if there's ever a time the car won't start because the security just isn't operating normally.

On #2 there was a post on Alfa Owner where a guy had an immobiliser installed (can't remember which one). It wouldn't work when he was in France on his way back to get the Shuttle and the car wouldn't start. He tried the override settings, couldn't get hold of support on the phone and was worried he would miss his train. He got it started but was panicking it wouldn't start when back in England and would have blocked people getting off the Shuttle.

 

[Uther]

Another good deterrent is having a less desirable car than other people on your estate. My little 2 seater is keyless so the key lives inside a faraday box, and I also have a steering wheel lock on it. Main deterrent I reckon is a lot of the houses have much more desirable cars parked on their drives, Range Rovers, Mercs, BMW's, Porsches, a couple of Lotus' etc etc...

 

[ShivP]

Another good deterrent is having a less desirable car than other people on your estate. My little 2 seater is keyless so the key lives inside a faraday box, and I also have a steering wheel lock on it. Main deterrent I reckon is a lot of the houses have much more desirable cars parked on their drives, Range Rovers, Mercs, BMW's, Porsches, a couple of Lotus' etc etc...

Not sure having a ******* car is a deterrent, lots of cars are stolen to 'order' so even if your neighbour has a Lambo Urus, and you have a 320d, you may still be targetted

 

[Uther]

Not sure having a ******* car is a deterrent, lots of cars are stolen to 'order' so even if your neighbour has a Lambo Urus, and you have a 320d, you may still be targetted

I literally wouldn't buy a car known to be a popular target for thieving scum. That includes RR's, BMW's, and Ford Fiesta's...

 

[MissChief]

I read the OP and was about to reply but then scrolled and read @MissChief 's post and she has it pretty much nailed.

*he (an easy mistake to make.)

 

[lordrobs]

What got me thinking about all this is I'm about to switch my car to something a bit more "nickable" and was wondering whether to get a steering lock or Ghost or just not bother.

The moment I start to consider about whether a particular car is going to be a target for thieves is the moment I would consider A) a different car or B) moving house.