Removing a Locked Club or Steering Wheel Lock
What do you do when you have lost your keys to your Locked Club or Steering Wheel Lock also called a steering wheel car theft prevention device?
In cities with high auto theft and theft of autos drivers have to use car theft prevention devices like the The Club to lock the steering wheel to prevent their cars from being stolen. In 2009, British Columbia had the highest car theft frequency in Canada. Approximately 11 vehicles per 1,000 or 2-4 times the auto theft of other provinces and regions. British Columbia is the auto theft capital of the Western World.
A quick search of the Internet will result in several suggestions on how to remove a steering wheel club. Several website recommend forcing the lock with a screwdriver or to freeze the lock with Freon. Both of these methods do not work and usually result in damaging the wheel, front windshield or causing the airbag to deploy at the cost of hundreds of dollars (one person had the front and side air bags deploy at the cost of over $3000). Another persons' fingers were frost bitten not to mention how expensive and environmentally unfriendly using Freon to freeze the lock. Has anyone ever seen the results of using Freon work on any lock? Urban myth or something for MythBusters.
Bottom line: Screwdrivers and Freon does not work. Clubs have been designed to prevent the average or above average car thieves from removing them.
An Automotive Locksmith has been trained to safely, and with no damage to the car, remove a locked Club or Steering wheel lock. Most of the time they can pick the lock with their lock picks quickly and efficiently.
Despite the risk of you losing your key to your steering wheel lock they are still a great deterrent to prevent the theft of your car. Even if your car has an alarm system, immobilizer or the car is equipped with transponder or chip key security system a club or steering wheel lock is highly recommended to install on your car. And if you do lose your Club key, a car Locksmith will remove the steering wheel lock with no damage to your car or steering wheel.
If you have auto insurance, Canadian Automobile Association, American Automobile Association or other emergency auto/RV/motorcycle/bike roadside service, and if your keys are locked inside the car or trunk, or your keys are lost or broken, they will cover emergency locksmith service up to $100. A professional automotive locksmith will provide you with a receipt so you can submit it to your auto insurance provider for reimbursement.