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.
The engine won’t start without correct key
Unless of course you drive certain models of Kia and Hyundai
And the older models as well
I drive a 2007 Kia and that thing has no special security features
Shit it doesn’t even have cruise control
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.
Your steering wheel probably already has a lock built in from the factory, give it a tug without the key and it’ll lock in place, to unlock it you need the key
They did in the 90s too. Even in the 80s and 70s locking steering columns were a thing. I never understood the steering wheel locks.
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.
I still have to tell that to my friends when I drive them somewhere, they keep forgetting that I have such an old car. My girlfriend is the only person who locks her door every time. The moment I saw her doing that for the first time without me having to telling her even tho it was just the second time ever I drove her somewhere, I knew … she is the one.
Also, you forgot to add manually having to lock all the doors.
All of this is still my reality. I got my first car a year ago for €100. It drives me to work every day. :) Love my baby, he is doing a good job even with no automatic windows, no AC, no remote key and all that stuff. My Custom radio has Bluetooth, what do you want more?
Wait… I was born after the 90s and got my first Car a year ago. It still has a Detachable Radio, No Automatic Windows and also … is the last pic a trick against heat if you have no AC? Because I also have no AC and I always fucking die when I enter my Car after Work when the sun was blasting on it for some time. Are you telling me that I can just place that thing that is normally against ice in Winter in there and my Car stops overheating? I must be misunderstanding. This cant be so easy right?
Wait, your telling me I can just place that thing that normally stops your Car from overheating and it helps against ice in the Winter?
It’s a pop out windshield shade, yes. Put it in your windshield when you get out and it’ll block the sun and keep your car cooler. They’re incredibly common, can find a dozen options at any Target, Walmart, etc.
Is this any different to the thing I put outside my Windshield in winter? Or can I just use that?
It’s the same if it has this silvery surface which reflects radiation. Also don’t expect miracles. If you park in the sun, the air inside will still be super hot. The actual advantage is that your dash, steering wheel and seats won’t be lava when you get in the car.
You can use the same Windshield in winter and summer (I did many years). When it is used from outside, it helps even more against the temperature.
It is a bit more fun though, to use one with big eyes to be positioned inside and make your car look like from Cars movie. Example on Pinterest
We have the red version (strangely ours was much cheaper here in Germany than what I just found on Walmart website) in our little red Toyota and aside from keeping the car cooler it is looking really cute.
yes you can use that, and to be most effective you also obviously put it outside
It’s not lol It works perfect, it just has no AC or Automatic Windows or anything because this is an old car. Pretty normal for the first car.
These are tricks no one tells you anymore today because everyone has AC. I will try this Monday. You guys saved my life.
I still do bottom right. Whoever owned my car before me obviously didn’t and the steering wheel cover has melted into the wheel itself.
I am irritated by electric windows. Every time I park and turn off the car someone (often me) has left their window down.
Windshield solar visors will be making a comeback (if they ever even fell out of fashion) with climate change heating things up. I drive a black car with a black leather interior and the thing makes a huge difference when it’s sunny and 80+° F outside
Top left and bottom right is something I still do.
