Mechanical anti-theft devices for cars

Protecting your car from theft is a task that is both very important and quite difficult. Nowadays, having an alarm alone is not a guarantee that your car will not be stolen. Alarm, immobilizer and mechanical anti-theft are three levels of protection for your car. Thieves will have to tinker for a very long time to open such a car, and you will have the most important resource in stock - time.

In this article, I would like to talk specifically about mechanical anti-theft devices (bollards), and about the task that they perform.

Mechanical anti-theft devices - purpose and principle of operation

The main task of the blocker is to prevent unauthorized persons from entering your car, to block the main controls - the steering wheel, pedals, gearbox, ignition lock. There are also devices that are put on the wheels, block the doors, hood or trunk.

According to the method of application, blockers can be:

• adapted - adapted to the design features of a particular brand of car;
• universal - suitable for different cars;
• portable - they can be removed and put back or on other cars;
• stationary - are installed on a permanent basis and can only be removed in a special workshop, since they are installed with breakaway fasteners - the bolt heads break off after tightening the fasteners.

The main properties that anti-theft systems should have:

• strength;
• cryptographic resistance;
• reliability.

Strength is understood as the ability to withstand rough mechanical stress - blows, hacking with master keys, power turning.

Crypto resistance - the impossibility of opening by simply selecting a key, a complex locking system, which is characterized by a more complex lock cylinder device. Combination locks with a high level of secrecy.

Reliability - the device is not affected by vibrations, negative environmental factors, the device is almost impossible to dismantle with a cutting tool.

The principle of operation of the blocker depends on the type of its design, but in the vast majority of cases we are dealing with a locking mechanism in the form of an ordinary lock. However, the internal structure of such a lock is quite complex, as can be seen from the example of Mul-T-Lock products, thanks to which the level of protection has increased many times over.

Steering wheel locks

Such blockers can be divided into two types:

• steering wheel lock;
• steering lock.

The steering wheel lock is a relatively simple device that fits over the steering wheel and locks it in one position.

Such a mechanism consists of a strong clutch that is worn directly on the steering wheel, and of a metal pin that rests on the floor, pedals, and front dashboard.

The steering shaft lock duplicates the regular ignition lock.

Such a device is usually installed at the factory and goes regularly. To open it, you need to have the key to the ignition. Even if the hijackers manage to start the car without a key - we already wrote about how to do this on our website Vodi.su - then it will be impossible to turn the steering wheel.

The shaft blocker is characterized by a high level of cryptographic resistance, that is, several hundred million options for the secrecy of the lock are possible.

The device is quite simple, its main element is a small steel pin with crossbars that are put on the steering shaft and completely block it.

Blockers can be:

• automatic - the steering wheel is blocked automatically after the engine stops and the key is removed from the ignition;
• non-automatic (stationary, adapted) - they have a separate lock (on the bottom of the steering column), and a special key is required to unlock.

Gearbox lock

You can also find a huge number of such blockers, which are suitable for both manual transmission and automation. If we are talking about mechanics, then the internal pin of the device is set to reverse blocking, and in the machine the lever is blocked in the “Parking” position.

In principle, if thieves got into your car, they will not be able to shift gears. The only way to steal is to tow a car with a manual gearbox. It is clear that such behavior will attract the attention of people.

But a car with an automatic transmission can only be taken away with the help of a tow truck, since the transmission is completely blocked in the “Parking” position.

There are several types of checkpoint blockers:

• pin - the pin rests on the lever itself and cannot be moved from one position to another, this is the simplest and most compact form;
• arc - put on a lever, the disadvantage of such a device is its large size;
• pinless - inside there is a locking mechanism that blocks the gear forks, to open it you need to select the appropriate key, which is very difficult to do due to the high level of secrecy.

Pin and pinless are internal interlocks, the main elements of which are located in the gearbox.

Arc - external and put on directly on the gearshift lever.

Pedal locks

Again, there are two main types:

• external;
• internal.

The outer ones are put on the pedals in their upper position, respectively, it is impossible to squeeze out either the gas or the clutch. If we are talking about a car with an automatic transmission, the lock is installed only on the gas pedal.

The device is quite simple: the blocker itself is installed on the pedal, and the bracket rests on the floor. To open the blockade, you need to know the code, or use cutting tools, which will surely attract the attention of passers-by and law enforcement officers.

There are also internal blockers of the brake system. To install them, a special check valve is cut into the brake system; when you press the brake pedal, the brake cylinder rod presses the pads against the disc and the car stops. The valve closes and remains in this position, not letting the liquid through, that is, the wheels remain blocked. There are also systems that completely block not only the wheels, but also the starter.

Locks for doors, wheels, hood, trunk

Door locks are also complex systems, the main element of which are additional pins. Even if the thieves can pick up the keys and turn off the alarm, they will not be able to open the door, since this additional security system is driven by an electromechanical drive, which is controlled by a key fob from the standard alarm.

The hood and trunk lock works in the same way.

Wheel lock is also a very reliable means of protection. True, when choosing it, you need to watch how it is installed - if only the wheel itself blocks, then thieves can simply unscrew it and install a new one.

Therefore, it is desirable that the lock be worn on the hub or wheel axle.

Recommendations

If you have experience, tools and materials, you can make an external lock on the steering wheel, pedals, lever or wheels with your own hands. Locking mechanisms or combination locks are sold in any store. The easiest way, in our opinion, is to lock the steering wheel or pedals.

Use reinforced steel that does not corrode.

According to statistics, it takes a thief 2-10 minutes to steal a car. Strong mechanical anti-theft systems will keep him much longer, especially if you come up with some kind of "secret".

Before you finally decide on the choice of one or another type of mechanical anti-theft device, we advise you to watch this video. On it, the specialist talks about the types of devices and their advantages.

Loading…