I live in NYC and am planning to buy a "Club" to put on the steering wheel for security but when I looked online there are a lot of options. Is there one which is the right size for the E? I saw one on Amazon that said it was for an SUV.

The truck/van sized one works fine. Because the E has a lot of clearance around the steering wheel (i.e. the Club won't hit the windshield when the wheel is turned like it will on smaller vehicles) just make sure to attach it in a way that it will jam the wheel before it turns very far.

Remember, the club is easily defeated in about 5 seconds via the cutting of the steering wheel. Look into getting a brake-lock for tougher security!

unless you plan on using it to hit people over the head or break knee caps it is a complete and utter waste of your hard earned money.

Any bad car thief can get through one of those in under 15 seconds. I can get through one of those in under 15 seconds, as can you. All it takes is a hacksaw to cut one place on the steering wheel and the Club is removed, defeating it simply.

Get a good alarm system and good insurance, but don't get the club. It's as much snake oil as so many other products on the market.

Avoid the club. As Shen states above, get a brake locking mechanism. I have one for my Mustang and the only way you are breaking that is if you spend the time to cut through the brake pedal arm. Got it at Kragen's, it called the Auto Lok and cost about $60. Also the keys are different and not easily picked or duplicated.

unless you plan on using it to hit people over the head or break knee caps it is a complete and utter waste of your hard earned money.


well... that's actually a good reason to keep a club in your car!

In my 91 accord, the club actually fit between the parking brake (in its up position) and the auto tranny shifter so I used to lock my transmission instead of locking the steering wheel.

I would recommend a hidden kill switch.

I had the club but stopped using it after awhile, because I heard reports that it was really easy to cut through. Plus it was heavy and just a pain to use. The only reason I kept it around was for self defense. Even then I thought it would be pretty much useless since it was so heavy.

If you're really paranoid about it being stolen, then pony the $$$ for lo-jack. :)

Such great info, thanks very much. I am about to look into the Auto Lok online. I was going to get the club because I see them in all the cars in my neighbourhood but will explore further.

I googled the Auto Lok and found many things but not a brake lock. I also looked on Kragen's online. What exactly is this lock called?

I googled the Auto Lok and found many things but not a brake lock. I also looked on Kragen's online. What exactly is this lock called?


http://www.autolock.com/Unbreakable_Auto_BL.htm

It's known as the "Unbreakable Auto Lock". It used to be sold on TV.

Here is a link to it on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007ZFTHW/002-8133515-1129632?v=glance&n=15684181)

http://ec3.images-amazon.com/images/P/B0007ZFTHW.01-A1T0VEFK4F7RX4._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V1112212798_.gif

I disagree that the Club is a "snake oil" security device. ANY security device can be defeated by a motivated thief. The level of risk is dependent, in part, on where you live I suppose.

The Club works well as a visual deterrant. I have an alarm but the Club will deter the typical joy rider from even trying to break into the car and move on to an easier target.

I had the club but stopped using it after awhile, because I heard reports that it was really easy to cut through. Plus it was heavy and just a pain to use. The only reason I kept it around was for self defense. Even then I thought it would be pretty much useless since it was so heavy.

If you're really paranoid about it being stolen, then pony the $$$ for lo-jack. :)

Unfortunately Lo-Jack will not stop someone from stealing the car. It just makes recovery a lot easier. Let's face it, if someone wants your car, they will get your car.

Take a page out of my book, park next to a more expensive car, like a Cayenne or a BMW. Fortunately the Element has not made the top cars stolen in America listing.

Unfortunately Lo-Jack will not stop someone from stealing the car. It just makes recovery a lot easier. Let's face it, if someone wants your car, they will get your car.

Take a page out of my book, park next to a more expensive car, like a Cayenne or a BMW. Fortunately the Element has not made the top cars stolen in America listing.


Yea... the E has one of the best crime deterrents around....... ugly!

lol.

Excellent, I will get one of those I think. Thanks for the tips.

I disagree that the Club is a "snake oil" security device. ANY security device can be defeated by a motivated thief. The level of risk is dependent, in part, on where you live I suppose.

The Club works well as a visual deterrant. I have an alarm but the Club will deter the typical joy rider from even trying to break into the car and move on to an easier target.
Agreed. Security is different levels of protection. Simply locking the car and not leaving the keys in the ignition is a level. A lot of cars are stolen here in the upper Midwest in the winter because people leave them running. An alarm is another level of security. A club goes one step further.

Shen is right, too. Ugly is additional deterent. :-D

No security is foolproof. All you want to do is provide enough levels to keep someone from stealing your car.

Take a page out of my book, park next to a more expensive car, like a Cayenne or a BMW.

Depending on your area, it may be smarter to park next to an older Camry, Civic, or Accord. Those get stolen like mad up here. Ford trucks (F150 on up) are actually "hottest" right now in my area (I count that stuff for a living).

I agree with most comments here - take your keys, every time, lock your car, every time. Use an anti-theft device if you want to keep layering on the protection. I personally use the "put the club on and park near an often-stolen type without a club" approach. Worked on my Civic for years, and so-far-so-good on the E, though they're rarely stolen. I get to see where the most common theft locations are, so maybe I have an advantage anyway ...

We try to teach people to make it less likely they (or their property) will be a target. It's not worth most of our time or money to have the VERY BEST never-yet-defeated anti-theft products, however it is usually worth your time to employ a few reasonable crime prevention strategies (take your keys, etc.).

I thought the 'immobilizer' in the ignition (you can only start the E with the key) prevented most people from hot-wiring the E?? Or does it just make it hard for the crackhead car thief, not the professional car thief? :confused:

And I'd keep the Club to club people over the head with too :)

I thought the 'immobilizer' in the ignition (you can only start the E with the key) prevented most people from hot-wiring the E?? Or does it just make it hard for the crackhead car thief, not the professional car thief? :confused:

There are news articles out there about people who can use a laptop to do some sort of techno-criminal-magic to get the codes for keyless starts. Read this one (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13507939/) to see how David Beckham got ripped off twice. If they can do that, they can hack our keys too.

Unfortunately, criminals aren't always hampered by 9-to-5 jobs like they rest of us. I just wish the smart, resourceful ones would use their powers for good and not evil. :)

There are news articles out there about people who can use a laptop to do some sort of techno-criminal-magic to get the codes for keyless starts. Read this one (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13507939/) to see how David Beckham got ripped off twice. If they can do that, they can hack our keys too.

Unfortunately, criminals aren't always hampered by 9-to-5 jobs like they rest of us. I just wish the smart, resourceful ones would use their powers for good and not evil. :)

oy! Course, who wouldnt want an armor-plated X5 !! :D