Deter Thieves with the Best Steering Wheel Locks for 2024

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What You Need to Know

• Since any steering wheel lock can be defeated with enough time and effort, we chose the Disklok as our pick for the best steering wheel lock thanks to its unique design and formidable appearance.

• The Autolock Pro is our runner-up thanks to its sturdy build quality and its ability to also secure your vehicle's brake or clutch pedal, preventing (in most cases) the vehicle from being started.

• The Club 3000 is another solid choice due to its strong brand reputation. Winner International created the original “The Club” steering lock in the Eighties and has been improving and innovating it ever since.

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Returning to your vehicle to find it damaged or missing is a harsh reality for many car owners. This type of theft is more than an inconvenience—it's an invasion, disrupting daily life and mobility. When it comes to protecting your vehicle, every gearhead knows that the right security measures can make all the difference.

While advanced alarm systems and GPS trackers are valuable, there's something to be said for the simplicity and effectiveness of a good old-fashioned steering wheel lock. While steering wheel locks aim to protect vehicles, most focus on deterrence rather than outright theft prevention. Drawing from experience in one of the top states for vehicle theft, we've identified the most effective steering wheel locks to safeguard your vehicle.

Key Statistics

To better understand the risk of automotive theft, consider these insightful statistics. They offer a clearer picture of the prevalence of vehicle-related crimes.

• Over one million vehicles were stolen in 2023, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

• The most stolen type of vehicle continues to be full-size pickups. The most stolen pickup truck in 2023 was the 2001–02 and 2006 Chevrolet Silverado.

• If reported stolen in the first 24 hours, vehicles had a 34 percent same-day recovery rate in 2022. More than 85 percent of stolen vehicles were recovered that year.

• In 2023, California led all states in vehicle thefts with just over 208K, followed by Texas at 155k.

• According to the California Highway Patrol, the most stolen cars in 2023 were the 2015 Kia Optima followed by the 1998–2000 Honda Civic.

Ready to find the right steering wheel lock for you? We got our hands on some of the newest, most obvious, and most popular steering wheel locks on the market and installed them on my Boxster to see hoe well they fit. , and consulted with colleagues and fellow enthusiasts, and got our hands on a few to try them out in our cars. Here are our picks for the best on the market.

The Best Steering Wheel Locks of 2024

Disklok

We found the Disklok to be the most visually striking of all the steering locks we looked at. When secured to your wheel, it stands out like some alien device. Its odd look and overall proportions make it a highly visible deterrent.

The hardened-steel Disklok fits onto your wheel by simply opening the two halves and closing it onto the wheel. Once fitted, it spins freely on the wheel making it impossible to turn the wheel. Disklok is designed to fit factory-standard steering wheels measuring between 15.4 and 16.3 inches, so if you use a steering wheel cover, be aware that it may interfere with the effectiveness of the Disklock.

The Disklok is backed by a three-year mechanical warranty and comes with three keys and an official Disklok window sticker—just in case the giant gray clamshell around your steering wheel isn't obvious enough.

Autolock Pro

The Autolock Pro from the Unbreakable works a bit differently than the other locks on our list. It attaches to your vehicle brake or clutch pedal, preventing would-be thieves from starting or putting your vehicle into gear. Made from hardened steel, it features a bulletproof deadbolt lock. The three included keys are laser-cut with four sides and cannot be duplicated.

Installation is simple, though. The Unbreakable advises that your brake pedal must have an arm width of 3/4 inches or less and a "minimum distance of four inches or more between vehicle's floorboard and the bottom of the brake arm."

The Autolock Pro is also painted in a loud red color for maximum deterrence effect. This, combined with the accompanying window decal and a yellow steering wheel cover, comes together to convey an image of security.

The Club 3000 Twin Hooks

Winner International produces security solutions for everything from your car or motorcycle to your firearm. It even produces safes, although the company is best known for creating the original "The Club" back in the Eighties.

The Club 3000 is an evolution of the original, with the biggest improvement being the addition of two hooks on each end rather than one. The two-hook design helps ensure a more secure grip on your steering wheel, while enhancing the visual deterrence factor. It is made from low-alloy chromoly steel, making it even more resistant to brute-force removal.

Pro Elite

The Stoplock sets itself apart from other steering locks with its eye-catching design. It doesn't function much differently from other locks out there; it clamps to your steering wheel and its long arm extends far beyond the wheel, making it difficult to turn the wheel without making contact with the windshield.

What its design does do is make it a bit easier to install. Simply put the arm section through the top of the wheel and secure the two clamps to the rim and you're good to go. No extending or contracting is necessary.

Aside from being easy to use and a great visual deterrent, it comes with a 10-year guarantee, two keys, and a carrying bag. It uses an anti-drill lock, made from hardened components. Note that to ensure proper fitment, we advise referencing Stoplock's fitment PDF to determine vehicle compatibility.

Steering Wheel Lock

A classic steering wheel lock design made from high-quality steel, Cartman's device uses two simple hooks to secure it to the wheel. Its design, with one end that extends out and away from the steering wheel, makes most steering maneuvers close to impossible. The length can be adjusted between seven and 15.7 inches, allowing it to be positioned in various ways.

Constructed from high-quality steel, the hook end sports a soft rubber sleeve to help prevent damage to your steering wheel and a pure copper lock cylinder helps to prevent various types of lock-picking. Perhaps most importantly, its high-viz yellow will act as a strong deterrent when installed in your car or truck.

Things to Consider

Before you buy a steering wheel locking device, here are some important factors to keep in mind.

Visibility and Deterrence

Opt for a steering wheel lock with a highly visible and deterrent design. Bright colors, flashing LED lights, or prominent branding can deter potential thieves and signal to them that your vehicle is protected.

Portability and Storage

Consider the portability and storage options of the steering wheel lock when not in use. These devices rely on being large, obvious, and cumbersome to deter thieves, but that also means they get in the way easily. Look for locks that are lightweight, compact, and easy to store in your vehicle's trunk or cabin when not in use.

Ease of Use

Consider the user-friendliness of a steering wheel lock when making your selection. Opt for a lock that is simple and quick to install, detach, and utilize regularly. Seek out locks equipped with quick-release features, adaptable sizing options, and straightforward locking mechanisms to ensure convenient and trouble-free operation in your daily routine.

FAQS

Do steering wheel locks effectively deter car theft?

Though no security measure is entirely foolproof, steering wheel locks serve as a deterrent against opportunistic thieves and can substantially lower the likelihood of vehicle theft. They increase the difficulty for thieves attempting to circumvent the steering system and get away with the vehicle.

Can steering wheel locks be used in conjunction with other security devices?

Yes, steering wheel locks can be used in conjunction with other security devices, such as alarm systems, immobilizers, and tracking devices, to provide multiple layers of protection against theft.

Can steering wheel locks damage my vehicle?

When used properly, steering wheel locks are unlikely to cause damage to your vehicle. Nonetheless, incorrect installation or mishandling of the lock might result in scratches or dents to the steering wheel or interior components. It's crucial to select a top-quality steering wheel lock and adhere closely to the manufacturer's instructions to reduce the likelihood of damage.

Can steering wheel locks be picked or broken?

While no lock is entirely impervious to tampering, high-quality steering wheel locks are designed to resist picking, drilling, and cutting. Choosing a reputable brand with a strong lock mechanism can minimize these risks.

Why Trust Us?

Road & Track and its sibling publications at Hearst Autos represent three of the most influential automotive publications in the world. We rely on decades of experience in the automotive and gear spaces to help readers make informed purchasing choices. Read more about our testing process here.

With the legacies of Autoweek, Car and Driver, and Road & Track behind us, the Hearst Autos Gear Team is more concerned with the trust our readers have in us than our bottom line. We won't tell you to buy something if we wouldn't buy it ourselves or recommend it to our friends, and we'll never claim to have used or tested something we haven't.

We've evaluated dozens of product categories, like electric bikes, traction boards, and radar detectors. Our picks and recommendations of products and gear are based on testing and knowledge, not hype.

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