Like other car parts, steering wheels have also evolved over the years. Newer wheels are easier to manoeuvre and have many safety and security features to prevent anyone from driving away with your car. However, carjackers or thieves have also mastered the art of bypassing security protocols. Though such crimes aren’t rampant in the UAE, some people still prefer to stay vigilant. If you are the kind of person who would like to add a layer of vehicle protection then using a steering wheel lock is a good way to keep your car safe.
Steering wheel locks are portable locks that make sure no carjacker drives away with your precious car. Using an anti-theft steering wheel lock is a common practice for those who have to park their cars outside for longer durations.
How to use steering wheel locks
Simply place the lock (which is either a hook bar or a round lock) on your steering wheel. The steering wheel lock latches to the steering so that it becomes a physical barrier for anyone to steer the wheel after starting the car.
Unlocking a steering wheel lock is only possible with the help of its key. Carjackers generally manage to get past the inbuilt wheel lock after breaking into your car. However, with the help of an additional steering wheel lock, the chances of their success are too low.
Top steering wheel locks for your car
There are three kinds of steering wheel locks: The enclosed steering wheel lock encompasses the steering with a hardened shell made of steel. The traditional bar steering wheel lock comes with twin hooks or one hook and the wheel to pedal lock.
In the wheel to pedal lock, the pedal and wheel of your car are locked. Even if a thief is successful in getting into the vehicle, they can not move it around.
Here are some of the most popular steering wheel locks along with their features to help you make a better decision:
- Disklok Steering Wheel Locks: This is a popular steering wheel security lock. The lock acts as a strong deterrent against carjackers who try their level best to break car locks. These locks are round in shape, tough to remove, cover the entire steering wheel and are easy to fit on the wheel and remove with the help of a key. Mostly, people driving high-end/luxury cars use the Disklok steering wheel locks to safeguard their car.
- Aumo-Mate Steering Wheel Lock: This steering wheel lock brand promises protection against various carjacking techniques. If a thief tries to tamper with an Aumo-mate steering wheel lock, the car starts honking, alerting the driver and frightening the thieves away.
- Master Lock 263 DAT Titanium: This is a steering wheel hook bar lock i.e. a titanium bar is latched between the two ends of your steering wheel. The 263DAT is an extremely strong lock bar with double hooks.
- The Club 1103 LX: Praised for extra strength, this single hook lock bar makes it very tough for anyone to get their hands on the steering wheel. The steering wheel hook lock is protected with laser encrypted keys that are impossible to duplicate.
The price of steering wheel locks starts from AED 100 and can go up to AED 800. This depends on the type of lock you select.
From where can I buy steering wheel locks?
Popular markets in the UAE home to a range of auto workshops offering cars and parts including steering wheel locks include the following:
Al Aweer Auto Market, Dubai
Al Aweer Auto Market is famous for selling authorized used cars in Dubai. Nonetheless, the market is also home to a number of car workshops selling car parts including steering wheel locks.
- Location: Ras Al Khor Industrial Area, Dubai
- Phone: +971-55-156-7637
- Souq Al Haraj, Sharjah
You can find a variety of both new and used cars in Souq Al Haraj. Moreover, you can also get your hands on car parts pertinent for your vehicle’s safety.
- Location: Souq Al Haraj, Sharjah
- Phone: +971-800-80088
- Ajman Car Souq
This is a famous car market in Ajman that sells pre-owned cars as well as important spare parts.
- Location: near Al Jurf Industrial Area, Ajman
- Phone: +971-6-741-4478
Moreover, to buy steering wheel locks in the UAE online, you can visit the car accessories section on dubizzle and go through a variety of items starting from bar locks and round locks that go over the steering and steering covers.
How to release a locked steering wheel
If your steering locks up unexpectedly due to the internal locking system, it could be dangerous. Though it happens rarely, it can lead to accidents. Let’s first discuss the reasons for your car’s driving wheel’s unexpected locking.
- If you try to ignite your car with the wrong key, the car’s steering will lock up.
- The car steering wheel also locks up if there is a problem with the power steering pump. Power steering is a new invention and helps drivers steer vehicles easily; however, if your engine dies unexpectedly so does the power steering pump causing the steering wheel to lock up.
- Another reason that locks up the steering is when the driver makes sharp turns. Frequent sharp turns impact your car’s transmission and hurt your engine. Abrupt turns also damage the power steering pump.
- The steering wheel also suddenly locks up with ignition failures. If your car key is unable to ignite the car’s engine, it means there is an ignition failure causing the steering to lock up. Such steering locking can be fatal if the car is at high speed.
Now that you know the common causes, let’s address how to unlock a locked steering wheel.
- In case you used the wrong key, insert the correct key and start the car. Once the vehicle starts, the wheel unlocks. Be gentle with the process, don’t force the key in if the car does not start, this can damage the car’s key. In case, the car does not start with the original key, there is an ignition failure, you will have to get the ignition switch system repaired
- Try turning the car key and the steering at the same time.
- If there is a power steering pump fault, get it replaced
- Avoid making sharp turns
That is all about auto steering wheel locks. Besides, if you are looking to purchase an economical car, you can go through a list of used cars for sale in the UAE on dubizzle and select a vehicle according to your choice and budget.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top car blog for more information on car parts and repairs, laws pertaining to driving and car DIY solutions.
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