A Discussion of Vehicle Theft Prevention Devices
Vehicle theft prevention devices are removable locking hardware designed to keep your vehicle protected from automobile crime.
These devices, commonly known as “the club” lock around the steering column preventing any attempt to drive away.
Vancouver is the Car Theft Capital of Canada
All car owners in the Greater Vancouver area should use car theft prevention devices to lock the steering wheel and prevent their cars from being stolen. In 2009, British Columbia had the highest car theft frequency in Canada. Approximately 11 vehicles out of every 1,000 will be stolen. That is 2-4 times more auto theft than other provinces. British Columbia is the auto theft capital of the Western World.
Using a vehicle theft prevention device on your automobile is the best way to reduce your vulnerability to auto crime. Vehicle theft prevention devices are easily visible. They disengage the steering column to would be criminals while also acting as a visual deterrent, informing anybody who cares to look that your car will not be easy to steal.
Hazards
Vehicle theft prevention devices are fallible in the same way that your front door is. The locking mechanism itself is a spring loaded pin-and-tumbler system, and requires a key to disengage the lock. If you lose or misplace your key, you are essentially locked out of your vehicle the same way would-be car thieves are.
So what do you do when you get locked out of your own vehicle?
I have seen the results of people trying to remove Clubs or Steering wheel locks themselves. Many have tried forcing the locking device open with a screwdriver; others have tried to freeze the lock with Freon. Neither of these methods actually work and usually result in damage to the steering wheel, front windshield or causing the airbag to deploy – costing you hundreds of dollars.
One customer had the front and side air bags deploy, costing them over $3000 in repairs – all because they lost the keys to their theft-prevention device. Another customer received frost burn on their fingers from using Freon to freeze the lock.
Call Mr. Locksmith Vancouver!
When you get locked out of your vehicle theft prevention device you need an expert technician to get you back in again. Our Automotive Locksmiths will be happy to help. Clubs, Steering wheel locks, or other devices have been designed to beat the average or above average car thieves, but for a skilled locksmith they pose no problem.
At Mr. Locksmith all of our locksmiths have been trained to remove a locked Club or Steering wheel lock safely and with no damage to the car.
Most of the time we can pick the lock quickly and efficiently.
Don’t let me scare you away from using a theft prevention device. Despite the risk of you losing your key they are still a great deterrent to prevent the theft of your car. Even if your car has an alarm system, immobilizer or the car is equipped with transponder or chip key security system, I highly recommend a club or steering wheel lock on your car. And if you do lose your Club key, Mr. Locksmith will get you back into your car and rolling again in no time!
If you have BCAA
Auto insurance, Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), American Automobile Association (AAA) or other emergency auto/RV/motorcycle/bike roadside service, and if your keys are locked inside the car or trunk, or your keys are lost or broken, they will cover emergency locksmith service up to $100. We will provide you with a receipt so you can submit it to your auto insurance provider for reimbursement.
