NCJ Number
55628
Journal
CONSUMERS' RESEARCH MAGAZINE Volume: 61 Issue: 7 Dated: (JULY 1978) Pages: 14-18
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
AUTO ANTITHEFT DEVICES WERE TESTED; THEY ARE DESCRIBED IN TERMS OF STRUCTURE, METHOD OF COUNTERING THEFT, WARRANTY, PLACE OF PURCHASE, AND PERFORMANCE UNDER TESTING.
Abstract
HOOD LOCK-IGNITION CUTOFF, 'CANE' TYPE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS, CHAIN AND CABLE DEVICES, AND MISCELLANEOUS THEFT DETERRENTS ARE DISCUSSED AS GENERAL CATEGORIES OF ANTITHEFT DEVICES. A HOOD LOCK-IGNITION CUTOFF USES A CABLE THAT RUNS UNDER THE DASH THROUGH THE FIREWALL AND INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE END OF THE CABLE MOUNTS AT THE FRONT STEEL CROSSMEMBER NEAR THE CAR'S RADIATOR. A PIN AT THE END OF THE CABLE ENGAGES A HASP THAT IS MOUNTED ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HOOD. THE OTHER END OF THE DEVICE HAS AN INTEGRAL LOCK AND IS MOUNTED UNDER THE DASH. USUALLY ARMORED CABLE OR STEEL TUBING PROTECTS THE LOCKING CABLE FROM BEING CUT UNDER THE DASH. VARIOUS TYPES OF LOCKS ARE USED TO LOCK THE CABLE. WHEN A BUTTON IS DEPRESSED, THE CAR'S HOOD IS LOCKED AND A CIRCUIT IS CLOSED THAT SHORTS THE CAR'S IGNITION SYSTEM TO THE GROUND. THIS TYPE OF LOCK IS GENERALLY EFFECTIVE AGAINST AMATEURS, BUT SOME COMPANIES HAVE MANUFACTURED PICKS FOR SUCH LOCKS. THE 'CANE' TYPE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS HOOK AROUND THE CLUTCH OR BRAKE PEDAL ON ONE END AND AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL RIM OR SPOKE ON THE OTHER. EASILY DEFEATED, THEY MAY DETER AN AMATEUR THIEF. CHAIN AND CABLE DEVICES ARE SOLD FOR MULTIPURPOSE USE AND ARE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME AS SOME BIKE LOCKS. THESE DEVICES USUALLY SERVE TO TIE DOWN A HOOK OR TRUNK LID, ACTING AS A BACKUP LOCK. THESE DEVICES ARE EASILY DEFEATED BY CUTTING WITH A BOLT OR CABLE CUTTER. MISCELLANEOUS THEFT DETERRENTS, SUCH AS TAPERED DOOR LOCK BUTTONS, ARMORED TRUNK LOCK GUARDS, LOCKING GAS CAPS, WHEEL LOCKING DEVICES, ETC., MAY SERVE TO DELAY OR DETER A THIEF, BUT NONE CAN ULTIMATELY THWART AN EXPERIENCED CAR THIEF. THE SAME CAN BE SAID FOR MOST OF THE DEVICES TESTED. INDIVIDUAL DEVICES ARE LISTED IN GROUPINGS ACCORDING TO TEST PERFORMANCE, WITH DEVICE DESCRIPTION, COST, PLACES WHERE IT CAN BE PURCHASED, WARRANTY, AND PERFORMANCE RATES UNDER TESTING PROVIDED. PHOTOGRAPHS OF DEVICES ARE ALSO INCLUDED. (RCB)