Best Steering Wheel Locks to Keep Your Car Safe When You Are Away

No need to mention, nobody wants to one day to return to their parked car only to find an empty spot. Although auto theft has slightly declined in recent years, the numbers are still scary. In the United States alone, around 721,000 vehicles were reported stolen in 2019; that translates to 82 every hour and 1.3 per minute—and these figures only include instances reported to the authorities.

Not to worry though, all you need is a steering wheel lock to make sure your beloved ride stays right where you left it. A steering wheel lock is an anti-theft device shaped like a long stick that attaches to your steering wheel and prevents it from turning, thus rendering the vehicle undrivable.

Now, we’re not saying steering wheel locks are foolproof, but they go a long way in deterring potential thieves from trying to steal your car. Of course, just not any cheap Chinese knock-off will do so, to assist you in picking the best steering wheel lock for your vehicle, we have curated a comprehensive list and reviewed some of the best models we could find online.

Best Steering Wheel Lock Reviews

1. The Club CL303 Pedal to Steering Wheel Lock — Budget Pick

Any well-informed conversation about steering wheel locks or other anti-theft equipment would be incomplete without mentioning The Club, the brand credited with inventing the modern steering wheel locks we use today. Since its inception in 1986, the company has been developing new and improved designs as the automobile industry kept evolving. One such fine example of maximum deterrence is the CL303 pedal to a steering wheel lock. As the name suggests, this anti-theft device secures your car by locking one end on the steering wheel and the other on the clutch or brake pedal, thereby preventing the thief from steering or stopping the vehicle.

The Club CL303 is made from high-strength tempered steel with a bright red paint scheme, so potential thieves are discouraged from stealing your vehicle from the get-go. You also get a soft nylon coating on one end to prevent scratches or damage to your steering wheel. Moreover, the locking mechanism is pretty straightforward and comes with a spare key for emergencies—of course, no need to mention that you shouldn’t keep the spare in your car.

Due to its size and capabilities, the CL303 pedal-to-steering wheel lock is best suited for your regular run-of-the-mill passenger cars. It offers a 22.5” to 30” locking length with equal increments at 3/16”. And even better, despite being one of the most sold and widely used models, it’s also our budget pick. If you want a reliable steering lock that won’t break the bank, this one is a no-brainer.

Highlighted features

• Tempered steel construction
• Locking length: 22.5” to 30”
• Prevents steering and pedal movements
• Made for small to medium vehicles

Pros

• Strong and durable construction
• High-visibility red paint scheme
• Nylon soft coating for steering wheel end
• Lightweight and easy to store lock
• Simple locking mechanism with patented self-locking

Cons

• Locking mechanism can jam
• Not suitable for high-value applications

2. Unbreakable 1910 CarBar

If a steering wheel lock prevents the thief from stealing your car, their last resort would be to steal other valuable equipment like a laptop computer, stereo deck, or even airbags. Taking care of that, the Unbreakable 1910 CarBar is a unique steering wheel lock that also prevents thieves from stealing your steering or airbag module. It locks around the steering column and airbag using separate components, thereby preventing the steering wheel from turning and securing your driver’s side airbag simultaneously.

You get an all-steel body with an integrated die-cast locking mechanism for easy and quick access. The body is painted in a bright red color scheme to provide maximum visual deterrence against potential thieves.

Now, we aren’t claiming that the Unbreakable CarBar is indeed unbreakable, but it will surely take some serious force to pry it open—of course, no metal bar can ever resist the right tools but it’s much better than nothing.

However, the lack of significant adjustability limits the CarBar’s use to most passenger vehicles and select vans. So, make sure you measure your steering column in advance and make sure the CarBar will fit your specific vehicle and securely lock in place.

Highlighted features

• Steel frame with red paint scheme
• Prevents steering movement and airbag theft
• Usable with small to medium cars and some vans

Pros

• Rubberized handle surface on one end
• Protects airbag from being stolen
• Quick and straightforward use
• Provides little steering angle
• Bolt-cutter safe up to a certain extent

Cons

• Regular use can scratch your steering column plastic cladding

3. The Club 1000 Original Club Steering Wheel Lock — Editor’s Pick

The Club’s 1000 steering wheel lock is the one that started it all. Even though the design may be decades old, the lock is still equally effective in today’s cars. It is built from solid chrome-molybdenum steel with an industry-leading patented design. You also get a high-quality powder-coated red paint finish for added durability and toughness.

The Club 1000 steering wheel lock prevents your car from getting stolen by significantly restricting steering movement when locked in place. All you need to do is install the long steel bar so that it hooks on both ends, between the steering wheel’s spokes. Once The Club’s solid steel hooks are set as far as they go, the patented self-locking feature will lock in one pull. You can use The Club 1000 on vehicles with steering wheel diameters anywhere between 8.75” and 14”—which is pretty much all of them.

If you are looking for an affordable yet effective steering wheel lock, The Club 1000 is the best option out there. It even comes with a 1 year/$1,800 warranty covering the owner’s insurance deductible; hence, if a thief somehow manages to steal your car despite the lock, you won’t be left empty-handed.

Highlighted features

• Chrome-molybdenum steel construction
• Suitable for steering wheels with diameter between 8.75”-14”
• Prevents steering movements
• Made for passenger vehicles, vans, and trucks, among others

Pros

• Original steering wheel lock design
• Useful self-locking feature
• Rugged and long-lasting solid steel construction
• Bright red powder-coated finish
• Fits a wide range of cars
• One-year $1800 insurance deductible warranty

Cons

• None—when it works, it works!

4. DSV Standard Steering Wheel Lock

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If you aren’t keen on investing in the original Club model, here is a similar alternative for less than half the price—meet the DSV Standard Steering Wheel Lock. Like the previous model, it aims to prevent significant steering movements by attaching its long frame to the wheel. You get a 25″ long bar with various alloy steel or aluminum components, resulting in the perfect strength and weight-saving balance. As we have mentioned several times, visual deterrence plays an essential role in all anti-theft devices; to that end, DSV’s steering wheel lock features a high-visibility red paint scheme.

If the low price makes you think the DSV Standard steering wheel lock is a cheap and low-quality product, there is a one-year manufacturer warranty so you can move forward with confidence. Furthermore, you can use this steering wheel lock to protect a wide range of vehicles thanks to the wide internal aperture spanning 6.7” to almost 14”.

Highlighted features

• Alloy steel and aluminum construction
• Internal aperture: 6.7” to 14”
• Prevents steering movements
• Suitable for use on a wide range of vehicles

Pros

• Compact yet effective twin-hook design
• Low cost
• Rugged and lightweight frame
• Wide adjustment range
• Easy to install and remove
• Comes with a spare key
• One-year limited manufacturer warranty

Cons

• Specific buyers have reported isolated quality issues

5. Disklok Steering Wheel Lock — Premium Pick

The Disklok Security Device is your standard rod-type steering wheel lock on steroids. It is developed with a precise aim in mind—to create the most secure steering wheel lock ever. And we are glad to report that Disklok has gone a long way in reaching this goal thanks to its award-winning security device. It is a fully-enclosed anti-theft device that circumscribes your vehicle’s steering wheel with its heavy-duty steel body to provide the ultimate protection against theft.

Disklok’s operating principle is quite fascinating; since this steering wheel lock encloses your vehicle’s steering wheel behind a thick layer of hardened steel, there is no way for the thief to get through. The weakest point in most other steering wheel locks is their locking mechanism, but the Disklok comes with a high-strength anti-drill and anti-pick design that includes ten internal spinning disks that make it virtually impossible to force the lock open.

The Disklok Security Device may cost significantly more than other models, but the high level of security it offers in return makes up for it. You can get the Disklok in three different sizes ranging from 13.7″ to 17.3″, making it suitable for every vehicle type, from small cars to pickup trucks.

Highlighted features

• Hardened steel construction
• Suitable for steering wheels with a diameter between 13.7” and 17.3”
• Prevents any steering wheel access
• Made for all vehicle types

Pros

• Hardened anti-drill and anti-pick locking mechanism
• Ultimate protection against potential thieves
• Different sizes depending on steering wheel diameter
• Shiny powder-coated silver finish
• Three years mechanical warranty

Cons

• On the expensive side

What to Look for in a Steering Wheel Lock

Visual deterrence

Even before thieves try to break into your vehicle, they will first check out the interior to look for any anti-theft devices. For this purpose, a good steering wheel lock should be painted in bright colors for better visibility, even in low-lit environments.

Compatibility

Compatibility of a steering wheel lock with your vehicle refers to the device’s physical dimensions and requirements. Each model comes with specific characteristics, either in terms of steering wheel diameter, pedal-to-steering-wheel distance, or something else entirely. Take appropriate measurements beforehand and ensure your vehicle’s compatibility before purchasing a steering wheel lock.

Construction material and strength

Of course, the main reason to invest in a steering wheel lock is to prevent thieves from stealing your car. For a steering wheel lock to do its job, it needs to be incredibly tough and durable against any abuse, and that is where its construction material comes in. Buy a strong unit built using solid materials such as chrome-molybdenum steel.

Monetary guarantee

You would know by now that anti-theft devices cannot guarantee your vehicle’s safety. So, to inspire confidence in the mind of customers, some manufacturers offer a guarantee that your car won’t be stolen. However, in the unfortunate situation that it does get stolen, the warranty will cover part or all of your insurance deductible. The higher the guarantee value, the less you need to pay from your pocket.

Why Choose Wheel Locks Over Other Anti-Theft Devices?

There are a plethora of different anti-theft devices available in the market, but few are as effective as the good old steering wheel lock. Steering wheel locks work on the principle of “If you can’t steer it, you can’t steal it”; this concept may seem somewhat flawed at first, but once you find out more, it all starts to make sense. You see, other anti-theft devices like car alarms and fancy sensors may be much more technologically advanced. Still, they are also quite unreliable as they can get easily triggered, resulting in several false alarms. On the other hand, devices like brake and wheel clamps rank impressively high on the effectiveness meter but are tiring and time-consuming to operate.

A steering wheel lock combines the best qualities of both device types and offers something that works in everyday use. These devices are better than other anti-theft devices gadgets because they allow for greater flexibility while providing a high level of effectiveness, so you don’t have to compromise your vehicle’s safety.

FAQs

Does a steering wheel lock make my car completely safe from thieves?

No, using a steering wheel lock does not guarantee your car won’t be stolen, but it does a lot to dissuade thieves from trying their luck on your car. Of course, if given enough time, even the strongest steering wheel locks can be forced open using power tools or even bolt cutters in some cases. However, seeing it inside your vehicle will make potential thieves think twice before executing their evil plan, and more often than not, wise criminals would decide to leave your car alone and find another target.

Which is the best anti-theft device?

Since no anti-theft device is impenetrable, no such thing as the “best anti-theft device” exists. However, if you live in a high-risk neighborhood, the most effective strategy for decreasing the chances of your car getting stolen is layered security measures. Layering your security means adding a carefully designed combination of various anti-theft devices so that it takes a thief forever to try and steal your car. It’s pretty simple; the more layers you add, the more difficult it is to steal your vehicle.

Verdict

It is fascinating how something as simple as a thin metal rod worth so little can deter potential thieves away so well. Every vehicle owner needs to invest in a good steering wheel lock to have a real shot at deterring a potential thief.

The big question remains — which is the best steering wheel lock? Well, the best steering wheel lock for you entirely depends on your needs and budget. However, we think the Club 1000 original model is the best all-around model available online. It is compatible with several vehicle types and offers a time-tested design that has been in use for decades.

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