A question about wheel boots...

[Al N.]

What do you guys think about wheel boots as a security measure?

 

 

 

Would you use one for a Seven? (And yes, I know many of us have detachable steering wheels if not cut-off/immobilizer keys).

 

 

 

Would you use one for another car? And in what situations?

 

 

 

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Full disclosure that I am asking this on behalf of a client at my day job. I personally can't think of an instance where I would use one...because my Seven lives in an electronically secured garage and I'm really never in an area where I am worried about it getting stolen (vandalized is a different story).

 

 

 

Please advise if you care to/have time.

[slngsht]

I don't have any security measures. If I don't trust where I'm parking the car, I disconnect the ignition switch from behind the dash, and push my brake in extra hard. The thief would have to know to push the brake pedal very hard to disengage the parking brakes.

 

 

 

Of course this means everyone here knows how to steal my car now http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/leaving.gif

 

 

 

I do have some prototypes for remote GPS tracking via the web, but haven't installed any on my car.

[locostv8]

You can't stop a dedicated thief, only make it difficult and enhance recovery. I would think a Boot would be a bit inconvenient to carry around. Longer term storage I generaly try to remove the wheels and place on jackstands putting the wheels in another location. YEARS ago I knew someone that had a 55 Chev that would dissapear with some regularity. He thought he had finally solved the problem with a Harley case hardened chain and lock from the frame to a palm tree (Cali has some realy big palm trees). Some smart ass came along with a can of freon and a ballpeen (we think). I would think, without incuring any liability, that a chain thru a pair of wheels or wheel to frame along with a LoJack or GPS locater (with seperate power) would at least help.

 

 

 

Realy nasty dog in passenger seat??

[slomove]

I am using 2 pins of a regular DB9 connector (my "car key") in the dash to close the ignition relay circuit. All incorrect attempts to short circuit will blow a hidden fuse. So I am pretty sure no joy rider can drive the car away. I would not know myself anymore without schematic.

 

 

 

Obviously you can vandalize or haul the whole car on a truck or trailer but that is kind of unlikely.

 

 

 

Even in case it gets stolen it would be difficult to sell such an exotic toy in the US without the larger Se7ens community taking notice. I hope professional thieves would see it more of a hassle than worth compared to e.g. a Scooby.

 

 

 

Gert

[solder_guy]

I am using 2 pins of a regular DB9 connector (my "car key") in the dash to close the ignition relay circuit. All incorrect attempts to short circuit will blow a hidden fuse.

 

 

 

Clever. But how is the hidden fuse wired?

 

 

 

Rob Mitchell

 

 

[slomove]

 

Clever. But how is the hidden fuse wired?

 

 

 

Rob Mitchell

 

 

 

 

It is an inline fuse behind the dash in the 12V line to this connector/switch for the ignition relay.

 

 

 

Besides the 2 pins used to close this circuit, all other pins of the connector are grounded. If somebody should get the idea what the connector is used for (somewhat unlikely) and begins playing there is about a 1:72 change to not blow the fuse. Smoebody would have to be very electrically minded and have a multimeter to start the engine. The ignition circuit is actually latching, i.e. once the relay is engaged the DB9 can be removed until the engine is turned off.

 

 

 

Obviously I carry a spare fuse in the junk bag in the boot.

 

 

 

Gertslomove2006-10-24 13:39:51

[Boxologist]

a number of subaru owners have gone to using them since WRX thefts are pretty high in eastern NJ. seems to do the trick.