Why do steering wheel locks seem so much less popular now? Same with the reflectors. Nothing’s changed about the best way to keep the car cool while you’re not in it but I almost never see them anymore and I’m in Australia of all places. Those things and to a lesser extent the steering wheel locks were everywhere in the 90s.
Because engine immobilisers are a thing, that’s also why car keys are so expensive. The engine won’t start without the correct key so no need to worry about the wheel.
As for reflectors, the people that use them might just opt for ceramic window tints.
Tinting your windshield is illegal, but I guess you could just use a super clear ceramic film… Except it’s still super expensive and not as effective compared to a simple reflector.
I still see reflectors a lot. But I guess they might not be so popular anymore because with today’s ACs you can cool down your car in seconds, while with only ventilation cooling it took way more time.
This seems like the most satisfactory explanation. I totally forgot that not every car had AC when I grew up in the 90s and I’m pretty sure my mum’s old car that she used to lock with a steering wheel lock and try to keep cool with a reflector didn’t have AC now that you mention it.
Man, I remember back when custom stereos were really popular. Almost everyone had some sort of variation of the detachable face stereos in their car.
Also, you forgot to add manually having to lock all the doors.
“Hey man, lock your door”
Floridian here - why is there no general solution for keeping interior temperature close to exterior temperature? It’s dissipating a potential difference. No added energy is required.
I’m not expecting the car to be frosty after six hours of subtropical sunlight, but could it please be closer to when I leave a window cracked? Ideally without having to worry about draining the footwell if it pours for five minutes?
Amateur, my ignition lock didn’t work and I’d disconnect my battery to shut the car off. I was the only one that knew the magic tricks to crank it back up. I dunno, my key got stuck in the ignition, so I just left it there. Like, who thinks to jam a flat screwdriver into the steering column tilt hinge to crank a car up?
Car thieves?
Nobody could steal that car even if they wanted to, unless they knew the internal mechanical structure of the steering column. When I used the screwdriver method, the screwdriver did not go into the ignition or any other intuitive location you might be thinking of.
The key that was stuck in the ignition wouldn’t turn to the start position, nor would it turn back to the off position to remove it. So it was a combination of connecting the battery then using the screwdriver as a lever in just the right spot in the steering column tilt hinge gap area to start it, and disconnecting the battery to shut it down.
I had never let anyone see exactly how I used the screwdriver on that car. Besides, it was such a rusted out beater, I could have parked it in a back alley in the Bronx and most likely nobody would have wanted to touch it, except maybe to steal the gas out of it LOL!
My dad used to put a brake pedal lock on his crappy Isuzu Panther. Such a pain to put on and remove. I don’t think anyone would even steal it.
Took off the head and hid it under the seat. Like 90% of the people did in the late 90s early 00s. Lol.
I still use the rotater for door glass
I might be a bit dumb here, but I never got the detachable radio idea/need?
The radio interfaces were not exchangeable between different brands, right? Or was there an universal interface that I am unaware of?
Wouldn’t a bad actor need to dismantle the entire radio head as well, for the interface part to be of any good use?
its anti theft because the unit doesnt work without the face and they were married with a code. car radio theft was rampant in the early 90s
Surely it’s basically exactly the same now still? Take the radio faceplate so it can’t be nicked, lock the wheel, make sure the windows are rolled up and if you live somewhere hot, use a reflector to help keep the heat away.
Actually I believe it does from memory. Never gave that a thought. Did cars around in the 90s not commonly do this?
