When you have the engine shut off and the key out and you try to turn the steering wheel. Why does it lock?

Then you have to play with the steering wheel and the key to unlock it... Is this a safety device to save the steering rack or something?

 

I believe it's primary function was for back in the day when vehicles didn't have as reliable transmissions or parking break, you turn your wheels when your on a hill and then remove the key, the steering wheel locks and if your cars e-brake or tranny fail (keep in mind way back when, but some pos's still do) the car would just turn into the curb and stop instead of rolling down the hill.

 

more of a theft deterrent

 

Its like one of those child proof medicine bottle caps that adults cant get open. I hate that damn thing. Is it removeable?

 

Towing perhaps?

 

i think its more antitheft then anything

 

Same here.

 

It's easy to hot wire a car, it's a real pain in the ass to drive if you can't turn the wheel though

 

that's what i hear as well

 

when a car gets stolen, alot of times the cylinder gets punched and they drive away, or like on my old jeep they break the steering colom cover off, cut one rod, push it down and off they go. I would be willing to say that if you asked car theives, maybe only 40% of them know how to hotwire a car. I am sure that an anti theft purpose was difinately in the thought process somewhere, I just don't think it was the primary one, think about it, back in the day that this was invented, who stole cars? people left there cars and houses unlocked all the time.