If you’ve ever been in a car accident, you know that steering locks are a big safety feature. They prevent the driver from turning the car without first disengaging the lock. Steering locks were once only found in luxury cars, but now they’re becoming more commonplace in all types of vehicles. When did car steering ignition locks begin to become a common feature? The answer is surprisingly recent—in the early 1990s. This was largely due to increased public awareness of vehicular accidents and their consequences. As steering locks have become more ubiquitous, so has their safety efficacy. If you’re ever involved in an accident and find yourself requiring a steering lock, make sure you have one handy!
How year did car steering ignition locks begin?
When did car steering ignition locks begin? Back in the early 1900s, cars used a system called a “cable-operated hand lever.” This lever was used to start the engine. The cable ran from the handle of the lever to a hub on the car’s steering wheel. To turn the car, you had to move the lever toward you, and then pull it back toward the driver. This system was very simple, but it had one big problem: Someone could steal your car if they got hold of the key. In 1928, Ford came up with a much safer solution: The car’s ignition lock. Ford designed this lock so that when you pulled out your key, the engine wouldn’t start. You had to put in your key again and turn it back to “off” before you could drive away. Today, most cars have an ignition lock like this.
What are the different types of car steering ignition locks?
There are three main types of car steering ignition locks – mechanical, electronic and biometric. Mechanical locks use a key to turn a mechanism that opens the lock. Electronic ignition locks use a coded system to open the lock. Biometric ignition locks use either a fingerprint or an eye scan to unlock the car.
Benefits and drawbacks of car steering ignition locks
Benefits of car steering ignition locks
There are many benefits to using car steering ignition locks. Some of the benefits include:
Increased security: Many people feel that car steering ignition locks offer a more secure method of preventing theft than traditional keychains. This is because it is much harder for someone to gain access to a locked car if they don’t have the key.
Reduced anxiety: Many drivers feel less anxious when their car is locked up at night, knowing that they won’t be able to get into it without the correct key. This can also help to reduce the number of accidents caused by drivers being distracted by the need to open their car door.
Increased fuel efficiency: Car steering ignition locks can also help to increase fuel efficiency in vehicles. By ensuring that cars are not easily accessible, drivers are more likely to use their vehicles sparingly and avoid running unnecessary errands.
How to replace a car steering ignition lock
If you’ve got a car with steering wheel ignition locks, then sooner or later they’ll need to be replaced. This is because the electronic keys used to start the engine can eventually lose their coded security and stop working.
Conclusion
In the US, car steering ignitions began becoming involved in accidents in 1988. That’s according to data collected by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). What’s more, collisions involving cars with ignition locks increased by 169% between 1999 and 2009. If you’re still driving a car that has an ignition lock, it’s important to understand how they work and how to disable them if you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation.