Best Steering Wheel Locks for Better Vehicle Security

If you want a lock that's more than just a deterrent and gives you real car theft protection, Disklok is the clear choice.

Most of the steering wheel locks we researched had the same design problems: they could be defeated with a well-placed kick, a sharp hacksaw blade, or an experienced lockpicker. The Disklok was the only car steering wheel lock with a design that withstood these common auto theft techniques.

Its steel shell has no obvious weak points that say "Cut here!" and its lock is so resistant to picking that even Disklok owners report having to do some key wiggling to get it to unlock (which is actually an intentional safety feature). Its weight and size make it less convenient to carry with you than some of the other locks we studied, but it outperforms the competition when it comes to security. 

The Disklok isn't without its weaknesses—we saw a guy with a metal grinder cut it off in about three and a half minutes. But in car theft time, that's pretty long, and using power tools would be noisy enough to draw quite a bit of attention.

Because the Disklok is different from most normal bar-style steering wheel locks, it takes longer to figure out, so it's a good deterrent. With manual tools, it would be impossible to remove. Just make sure you select a Disklok device that's the right size for your steering wheel, because if it's too snug it won't work correctly.

Fortunately, The Club 3000 manufacturers offer a guarantee of $500 toward your insurance deductible if the device fails, but you have to get through quite a bit of red tape before you see the money. Still, with a price tag of around $30, you can get a highly visual theft deterrent without having to spend a lot of cash.

It's a unique design that might thwart a thief, but it's not as easy to attach as a basic car wheel lock device, and it doesn't fit larger vehicles. If you do go with this design, make sure to attach it with your steering wheel in the lowest position. Also, keep some graphite on hand to lubricate the locking mechanism as the lock can stick and the key won't turn.

A determined thief can hacksaw through the chrome-covered ratcheting column in the center or drill through the lock to remove it, but The Club 2100 is still a good visual deterrent. We like the universal fit this device offers and the $1,800 deductible reimbursement guarantee from the manufacturer. Unfortunately, the guarantee is good only up to a year and all the paperwork has to be done via snail mail.

The insides of the hooks have a foam grip to prevent the lock from sliding. Even if a car thief cut the steering wheel, it would still be hard to slide the lock off. Keep in mind that this lock isn't as large as some of the others on our list, so it may not work with trucks and SUVs. Still, it’s a great anti-theft steering wheel block for the price.

The Disklok's all-encompassing design is unlike any other steering wheel lock on the market. And while it's not entirely foolproof, there's no way to yank it off with brute force or hand tools. Your car won't be a convenient target with Disklok.

To find the best steering wheel locks on the market, we looked for steel construction and tamper-resistant locks. We also considered universal fit and insurance guarantees. 

We also read online reviews from real users to find out how these locks stood up against real car thieves.

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