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Types of anti-theft locks for gearboxes. How to block a gearbox from car theft Locking an automatic transmission

Nowadays, a lot of attention is paid to security systems. This trend has not spared cars either. Everyone tries to make their vehicle as safe as possible, and this desire is completely justified. An example is the mechanical locking of a component such as a gearbox. So, what is a gearbox lock?

What does a gearbox blocker look like?

Don't imagine a huge padlock with a chain around the gear lever. This device is unobtrusive. There are no protruding parts that interfere with the driver or passenger. In most cases, this is just a lock cylinder.

"Interior" gearbox lock

Why are mechanical interlocks installed?

Many people mistakenly believe that installing a car alarm provides 100% protection from car thieves or robbers. It will not be difficult for a real “specialist” to determine the type of security device and develop tactics to combat it. Moreover, it won’t take him that much time. Mechanical blockers will be a surprise for an attacker.

Mechanical protection is very effective

What kind of devices are these? From the above we can conclude that they are blocking something mechanically. And this should stop the hijacker.

Types of blockers

Vehicle components, mechanical or electromechanical (not to be confused with electronic), the blocking of which is most effective:

• Hood (additional locks);
• Steering;
• Gearbox (mechanism);
• Doors;
• Pedals;
• Brake system.

Main types of locks

But don’t rush to go to the installation center and install all the listed types of locks at once, together with a new car alarm, GSM module and other bells and whistles! Don't make life difficult for yourself!

Yes, security requires an integrated approach, but everything must be balanced. Imagine how long it will take the owner to open all the locks? And also this eternal confusion with the keys... in just a few days you will sit in the driver’s seat as if it were an electric chair!

Weigh all this and make the right choice; if possible, it is better to consult several installation centers at once.

Gearbox locks

Let's return to protecting the gearbox. How is it blocked, and how securely?

Mechanical locks

Such locks are installed inside the car and block the gear selector (lever).

Mechanical gearbox lock

On an automatic transmission, the selector closes tightly in the “parking” position; on a manual transmission, when reverse gear is engaged. Reliable? Are there any chances to bypass such a checkpoint block?

It is not possible to move the lever without destroying the lock. Picks, drilling or forcefully turning the lock cylinder, sawing off the mechanism are easily used only on low-quality locks (they can be sold under the guise of “promotions”), or with careless installation. A good blocker is not cheap, and if installed correctly, it will withstand a long fight, which will not be to the liking of an attacker.

But what happens if you try to control gear shifting without a lever? Let him “stick out” in whatever gear he wants, and we, as the thief, will disconnect the rod (cable) connecting the selector to the gearbox. Be it in the cabin or under the hood. We put the car in first gear or “drive” and slowly move to a secluded place. This scenario is quite real.

And on cars such as Toyota Avensis and Honda Accord, installing these blockers is completely pointless.

Honda Accord and Toyota Avensis

The automatic transmission control mechanism on these cars contains many plastic parts. The average man, with moderate force, will have no problem breaking it. And no lock will help.

It turns out that only a high-quality, correctly selected and conscientiously installed gearbox lock will help to detain a robber (at least for some time).

Electromechanical interlock

More complex protection devices include electromechanical gearbox locks installed in the same place.

Selector lever locking with electromechanical lock

They are more convenient to use than simple mechanical ones. When the ignition is turned off, the selector is automatically locked in the “Parking” or “R” position (depending on the type of transmission). To open the lock, you just need to bring the tag card that comes with the device to a specific place in the cabin (any place of the owner’s choice).

Marker map and secret place

No lock cylinders or keys, which means there is nothing to open, drill, etc. But the option of controlling the gearbox, bypassing the selector, is still possible.

New solutions

As an alternative to the usual gearbox locks, entire anti-theft systems began to appear.

Anti-theft complex GearLock

In addition to blocking the gearbox, which is not done in the cabin, but directly at the gearbox itself, these complexes also include protection of the engine compartment. They are controlled in the same way as their electromechanical counterparts, using a tag card. In terms of reliability, this is still the most practical, although not cheap, solution on the market for such devices.

And remember, only the right combination of protective devices will help achieve the expected result!

Comparison of gearbox lock options

Mechanical security measures are an effective means of protection that complement electronic security systems. Hacking or dismantling a mechanical transmission lock takes time and creates a lot of noise, which attracts attention to the thief.

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Operating principle and functions of the blocker

The operating principle of a vehicle transmission lock is based on limiting the mobility of the gear shift drive elements. A steel rod secures the gearshift lever in the “park” mode for an automatic transmission or in forward or reverse gears for a manual transmission.

Blockers can limit the mobility of the following elements:

• gear shift lever;
• cables connecting the lever and the shift mechanism on the box;
• switching mechanisms on the box itself.

The use of a mechanical lock on cars with manual transmission excludes the use of the automatic engine start and warm-up system.

Kinds

Blockers are divided into several types depending on the type of installation and the versatility of the design. The simplest are arc blockers on the box, which do not require installation of guide elements on the car. The devices do not provide a high degree of protection because they are easily cut off.

Based on their operating principle, blockers can be divided into two categories:

• mechanical, in which the locking is performed by turning a key or inserting a pin;
• electromechanical (the crossbar moves using an electromagnet).

Besshtyrevoy

The device was called pinless not because of the absence of a pin in the design, but because of the non-removable design of the locking rod. The base of the blocker is installed on the gearbox slide, and control is carried out using a rotary cylinder. The larva is located in a durable steel casing mounted on the base. The housing is located on the side of the center console.

Pinless transmission rocker blocker

Shtyrevoy

The pin lock has a removable element in its design. Before installing the pin, you must set the gear lever to a certain position, which is determined when installing the product. The pin is then inserted into the pilot hole and automatically snaps into place. The element has a spring-loaded support that pushes the pin out when the key is turned in the lock.

Pin blocker for gearbox

Universal

Universal blockers are designed for use on various vehicles equipped with automatic transmission (automatic transmission) or manual transmission (manual transmission). Installation of the protective device requires modifications to the rocker and good knowledge of the gear shift mechanism. Universal blockers can be equipped with either a removable or stationary locking pin. Products of this type are practically never found nowadays due to the difficulty of creating a universal design.

Model

Devices of this class are developed for the design features of a specific car model or model range based on one platform. Thanks to this, the device does not require modifications to the vehicle structure, except for making holes for the lock cylinder or installing a pin.

Model box blocker

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of a mechanical gearbox lock:

1. Increased car theft time by several minutes. According to statistics, if a car thief is unable to drive away in an unlocked vehicle within 2-3 minutes, he will abandon it.
2. Ease of use. This is especially true for pinless or electromechanical devices.

Disadvantages of products:

1. Difficult to install.
2. Despite the advertising, the locks open fairly quickly. According to reviews from owners, Dragon locks can be opened using the bumping method in a few minutes (owners resorted to the services of specialized companies after losing their keys).
3. The locking device usually secures the shift cables to the rocker. The cable connection points to the gearbox are usually not protected. An attacker can open the hood, remove or bite off the cables from the rockers mounted on the gear shift shaft. Then the gear is manually engaged and the car can move. On cars with automatic transmission, it is much more effective to install an electronic chip that breaks the circuit from the control unit. Until the signal from the mark is read, the box either does not change gears or turns off the engine when the selector is moved through the neutral position.
4. A vehicle with a manual transmission can drive in reverse.
5. A vehicle equipped with a manual transmission can be towed. A car with an automatic transmission can be stolen by partial or full loading.

The video provided by the MustafaFurnis channel demonstrates the opening of the Construct lock cylinder using the bumping method.

How to install?

The method of installing blockers depends on the car model and the design of the console. To install the blocker elements, you need to gain access to the fastening points of the rocker to the welded nuts or studs located on the central tunnel of the body. To do this, you will have to remove the console completely or just the upper part with the gear shift knob installed.

When installing a mechanical locking system for the gear shift drive, it is recommended to follow several rules:

1. Mechanical devices must be used in conjunction with electronic safety devices or other mechanical interlocks. When using two types of protection together, the risk of theft is significantly reduced.
2. Installation of mechanical protective equipment must be carried out in specialized workshops. This is due to the fact that installation requires precision in the relative position of the elements. Incorrect installation can cause the backstage to not operate correctly when the lock is disabled.

Self-installation of blockers on manual and automatic transmissions should be carried out by people who have experience installing such products. Otherwise, there is a risk of damage to expensive vehicle components.

For manual transmission

As an example, we consider the installation of a Construct blocker on a 6-speed manual Ford Focus:

1. Remove the top cover of the console along with the shift knob and cover.
2. Unscrew the bolts securing the rocker to the body.
3. Install the locking bracket on the front of the slide.
4. Attach the blocker part with the lock cylinder to the central part of the slide.
5. Mount the third body part of the blocker.
6. A bracket is installed on the shift lever, with the help of which movement is limited. The bracket has a hole into which the bolt fits.
7. Check the operation of the lock; the bolt should block the lever without jamming.
8. All bolts must be tightened to the appropriate torque. The tightening torques for the bolts on the body are available in the repair instructions for the car. The torques for tightening the threaded connections of the blocker parts are indicated in the instructions. When tightened, the bolt heads break off, making it difficult for an intruder to remove the device.
9. Mark the location of the hole for the lock cylinder.
10. Drill a small diameter pilot hole, then drill a hole for the cylinder with a hole saw of the appropriate size.
11. Install the cover in its original place.

Some of the installation stages are shown in the photo.

One of the blocker options Garant Consul

The blocker is characterized by:

1. The design of the device uses a locking part manufactured by Abloy Protec, which has almost 2 billion key combinations.
2. The larva is installed in a cylindrical thick-walled housing made of steel. The thickness of the case walls is 4 mm.
3. To block the gear shift drive, a retractable bolt made of high-strength steel is installed.
4. The lock cylinder is located closer to the top of the console, which makes working with the lock easier. To turn the mechanism on and off, just turn the key 180°. Locking is only possible at a certain position of the shift lever.
5. The lock mounting brackets are made of 5 mm steel sheet. The elements are connected to each other by welding and powder coated to provide protection against corrosion.
6. The bollard is fastened using bolts with breakaway heads to the standard fastening points available on the car body. The blocker can only be removed by drilling out the fixing bolts.

The electromechanical lock Garant iP-GR belongs to a new generation of devices. To control the blocking, an additional channel of the security system or a special key fob is used, which must be brought to the reader.

Delivery set of blocker Garant iP-GR

Characteristic features of the blocker:

1. Welded steel structure, installed on standard mounting points using shear bolts.
2. Model lock; a separate modification is available for each car.
3. The delivery set includes additional protective brackets that limit access to the gearshift cables. The brackets do not allow you to control the gearbox by removing the console and moving the shift cables with various tools.
4. The lock has a built-in safety element that prevents the box from locking while moving or stopping. The fuse reacts to the state of the ignition system by blocking the device's bolt when the engine is running.
5. Disconnecting the standard battery does not deactivate the protective device.
6. The compact dimensions of the blocker allow it to be completely hidden under the trim of the center console. Only the combination pushbutton switch with a ring antenna mounted around the button remains visible.
7. The device uses a hack-resistant crypto code to operate the device. The signal is read when the tag approaches a distance of 50 mm from the antenna. This algorithm prevents an attacker from intercepting the control code.

Company "Fortus"

A common type of pinless lock is produced by Fortus. Shift blocking is performed by fixing the rocker in the reverse gear position (for manual transmission) or in the parking position (for automatic transmission).

The features of the locks include:

1. Using Mul-T-Lock lock cylinders equipped with high-alloy steel pins.
2. Installation of additional carbide inserts into the cylinder body, which make drilling difficult.
3. The pin springs are made of acid-resistant beryllium bronze. The lock cannot be opened by etching the larva with acids.
4. The key design has a floating pin. By removing the key from the lock, the owner takes away part of the secret combination. A similar design was developed by Mul T-Lock Interactive.
5. The key and pins have a special nickel-silver alloy coating, which ensures ease of operation of the mechanism.
6. The lock has a bar that prevents dirt from getting inside. The cylinder mechanism does not require lubrication and remains operational over a wide temperature range.
7. The lock comes with three keys. For making duplicates, a card with a code is included in the package. Using this code, specialized workshops can produce an additional key.
8. It is possible to use the lock in combination with other security devices.

Mechanical box lock Fortus

Based on the mechanical lock, the Fortus company has developed an electromechanical device. The blocker can be turned off together with the security alarm or by presenting the tag to the reading device. The characteristics of the blocker are similar to those of the Garant iP-GR device.

Company "Cerberus-M"

The third common type of blockers are pinless and pin products from Cerberus-M, known under the “Dragon” brand. Blockers can be installed not only on the main gearbox, but also on the transfer gearbox.

Features of pin and pinless Dragon products:

1. Application of high-strength steels for the body with subsequent heat treatment. The geometric design complicates the force breaking procedure.
2. The locking bolt is made of several elements. The crossbar drive resists force influences. The drive design is patented.
3. The blocker design contains additional protective elements that prevent access to vulnerable components.
4. The lock cylinder has more than 3.5 million combinations. The cylinder uses additional protective inserts that increase the resistance of the assembly to rotation or drilling. The small dimensions of the cylinder do not spoil the appearance of the car interior.

Company "Construct"

On the anti-theft device market there are lockers under the Construct brand, which are produced in the Czech Republic:

1. Pinless circuit.
2. The lock has increased resistance to mechanical, chemical and thermal methods of breaking.
3. Built-in protection against rotation of the cylinder.

Appearance of the Construct blocker

Gearbox locking is an almost completely discredited concept. A car was stolen, and there was a lock on the checkpoint - these are the kinds of reviews you hear very often. For a specialist, there is no doubt that the traditional design of these locks leaves no chance for protection. The main offers on the Russian market are as follows:

A pin or pinless device for the gearbox selector in the car (gear shift knob between seats). The main attack options are the lock cylinder, the pin, alternative gear shift control - a cable or selector on the box itself. In short, for a professional, the question of neutralization is 5 minutes.

Relatively recently, a solution from Defengroup appeared in the form of a mechanical or electromechanical GEARLOCK lock for the selector on the gearbox itself in the engine compartment, naturally in parallel with blocking access under the hood using an additional hood lock. Compared to traditional locks, this solution is innovative. It cuts off hacking attempts from the interior, or alternative control of the box. In general, it is original and interesting. I immediately cut off purely mechanical options for controlling this lock, since this could be one of the weak points during attacks.

As usual, using my car as a test subject, I installed this product. As I use it, I will leave reviews in the forum at the link below. I’ll immediately note some nuances identified during installation and start of use, I think many will be interested in this:

1. The list of machines for which this device is used is limited, although it is gradually expanding. Today (July 2010) there are 34 models and 10 brands of cars.
2. Not all locks have protective covers, for example there were none for my ToyotaCamry, they are about to go out of production, but this is apparently a matter of time.
3. After installation and initial adjustment, everything works fine, but there is a slight difficulty in moving into the parking position. Moreover, this did not appear initially, and does not always appear during operation. This issue can be resolved by adjusting the lock bracket. It’s probably worth paying attention right away during installation and using it a little to identify the points.
4. The device will work perfectly with car alarms, i.e. close and open the lock when arming and disarming, respectively. But my car has a system that recognizes the owner by tag. Since the period of radiation there is 4 seconds and the pause for recognition can stretch up to 8 seconds, the lock does not always have time to open before the engine starts, then the opening does not occur due to the ignition being turned on - the lock is cut off for the anti-burglary function. You need to pay attention to this; the situation is similar to the control of door locks from tag systems.

Before you continue exploring our site, I recommend that you download and read our book "Guide to Anti-Theft", which we made especially for you. There you will find answers to 90% of questions related to theft protection.

Hijackers are often better equipped than CIA agents. They easily turn off alarms, jam signals from satellite beacons, intercept encrypted codes for opening a car, and easily bypass various locks.

It’s clear that electronics are electronics, but don’t write off good old mechanics. Let's take a closer look at such a thing as a gearbox blocker. What is he like?

This lock is located inside the car. There are arc, pinless and pin blockers. But the essence of their work is the same - to fix the gear shift lever in one position, not allowing further switching.

Pin locks - the gear shift lever is secured with a pin made of the strongest steel. To unlock it, use a special key to open the blocker lock and the pin comes out, enough so that it can be grabbed and pulled out.

Pinless locks also have a pin, but it is hidden inside the gearbox and there is no need to constantly remove it back and forth. There is a special lock in the cabin, in which the owner of the car activates or deactivates the lock by turning the key.

Pinless gearbox lock

Arc gearbox lock - is an arc that wraps around the gearshift lever and locks it in a stationary position. These blockers, in turn, are divided into model and universal. Model bollards – initially manufactured for specific car brands, universal bollards, are mainly installed on “not new” cars.

It seems that the thing is quite reliable, and may well interfere with the hijacker. Let's try to weigh the pros and cons. What can be attributed to the advantages of such a method of protection as a gearbox lock?

Advantages:
It is clear that by installing such a lock, you will create an additional obstacle for the thief. After all, it will be quite problematic to roll the car back, having first depressed the clutch, so that the people around you do not pay attention. And the attackers don’t have time to tinker with these pins, trying to unlock the gearbox. This is where the advantages end.

Flaws:
If the pin and pinless gearbox lock somehow fits into the interior of the car, thanks to its compact size, then the arc locker is quite large, and somehow does not at all decorate the car interior with its presence.

If you can somehow come to terms with the shortcomings of the aesthetic plan, then it is somehow more difficult to come to terms with the fact that the checkpoint blocker is quite easy to bypass. By simply releasing the clutch, you can roll the car away from the parking lot.

Experienced car thieves sometimes get to the inside of the gearbox through the hood, so it is also advisable to close access to the space under the hood.

Everyone will decide for themselves whether it makes sense to install this blocker on their car. There is only one conclusion that can be drawn: as an independent anti-theft device, the gearbox lock will absolutely not live up to your hopes. Perhaps, as part of a carefully thought-out security complex, it will make its modest contribution to protection against theft, but it will not be a very big contribution.

Any car is valuable to us, but there will always be ill-wishers who want to appropriate other people's property. A modern car obtained illegally is resold, changing identification marks, disassembled for spare parts, or simply smashed against the nearest pole, but for us, the owners, this is always a tragedy, because it is very rare for a person to immediately have the funds for a new car. Accordingly, many companies involved in the development of various security systems try every day to offer us newer and more reliable anti-theft methods. This article will discuss the most reliable and proven method, which has been used by experienced drivers and beginners to protect four-wheeled property for decades.

Mechanical lock - affordable security for any car

The gearbox lock makes it physically impossible to change gears, while this system can be installed on any domestic or foreign car. In its structure, a mechanical lock is a system that is mounted in the gearbox itself; accordingly, when installing it, you need to approach the choice of the service station where you plan to intervene in the gearbox with all responsibility.

Mechanical interlocks are divided into two large groups:

• Pin systems.
• Pinless locks (also have a pin, but it is hidden in the internal structure of the gearbox).

In the first case, after stopping the car, the lever is moved to a certain position (in a manual transmission this can be any speed, in an automatic transmission it can be position P), after which the lever is blocked by a pin made of durable stainless steel. The pin is locked and unlocked using a special key, which is kept by the owner of the car, so that no one else will have access to the lock.

The price for quickly installing a pin-type mechanical gearbox lock is that while driving this menacing structure will “decorate” your interior.

Pinless locks also operate from a special metal element, but in this case it is built directly into the gearbox itself. The key is inserted into the lock, turned, and that’s it, the car is immobilized.

You can also focus on the fact that there are universal mechanisms and gearboxes made according to individual requirements for a specific car model.

Custom blockers?

Nowadays, a fairly common practice is to manufacture protection to individual requirements. One of the most popular types of reliable blockers are Dragon systems, manufactured in production for a special car brand. “Dragon” is a complex mechanism, encased in a closed, seamless profile made of stainless impact-resistant steel, which is mounted directly to the bracket. This difference sets the lock apart from others; for example, the “multilock” is installed on the gearbox using screw connections, the strength of which is questionable.

The steel pins used in the dragon device can be manufactured in a variety of lengths and thicknesses, and the lock cylinder is secured with a safe-like locking mechanism with a combination lock. It is almost impossible to hack such a system without the use of technological equipment, and the presence of a tool reduces the chances of a hacker, because excessive activity and noise in the car are guaranteed to attract the attention of passers-by.

To install the pinless transmission lockout, you will need to disassemble the transmission housing and part of the console. For new cars under warranty, such manipulations can only be done by an official dealer... For the appropriate money... Well, you understand...

Among the universal blockers, we can highlight the system from the Bear-Lock company. High-quality security systems began to be installed in the early 90s, and it is possible to develop an exclusive lock for any brand of car. In its structure, Bear-Lock is a coded security system that works on the “pin in pin” principle, i.e. You cannot gain access to transport management without knowing several passwords.

Do you want minimal intervention in the gearbox design? Then your choice may be a lock from the Garant company, which has a size of the output part of the secret mechanism of 14 mm. This value is almost 3 times less than that of other analogue security systems. The lock locks the steering wheel through the operation of the clutch and stopper. The first part is fixed to the steering shaft, and the stopper is built into the clutch structure, preventing the shaft from turning. A hardened steel bolt and Abloy key make access to the gearbox accessible only to the vehicle owner.

Do you own a Subaru, Mitsubishi or Toyota equipped with a cable and a standard accessible lock? Defen.Time locks will help you, installed on the hood and protecting your four-wheeled property from intruders entering the engine compartment. The locking will be carried out through the interaction of additional mechanisms, rather than a standard lock. After installing the system, even simple starting of the engine will be impossible without the knowledge of the vehicle owner.

The process of installing a blocker is a long and responsible undertaking. If you have already forked out money for such a thing, then, please, finish the job to the end - contact a certified service.

It is also worth mentioning such a system as multilock, the name of which comes from an Israeli company engaged in the production of high-tech protection for cars. The lock can be mounted either on the gearbox itself or on the hood and steering shaft. The protection is controlled by a key; there is no need to manipulate the metal pins yourself. Special telescopic pins protect the control system from drilling, extrusion and various acids. The access keys themselves are produced on modern key-cutting machines, which guarantees increased protection against counterfeiting. For particularly demanding drivers, it is possible to create an entire protective system for the gearbox and hood, which will be controlled by a single key.

You say electronic locks are more reliable? We don’t argue that in some cases a computer can act as a guaranteed anti-theft device, which is almost impossible to bypass, but who will prevent attackers from towing a vehicle to a secluded place and then carrying out the necessary hacking procedures there? A mechanical lock simply blocks the movement of traffic not only from inside the cabin, but also from the outside; no tug will help if the wheels of the car do not spin.

“Price dispersion” in the evaluation of blockers

Manual transmissions have never been an expensive mechanism, while the latest “automation” can already hurt our wallet. As was said, there can be only two types of locks on automatic and manual transmissions, but why do the systems have so many types of locks, while the prices are so different? It's all about the design of a protective mechanism that can work according to the following principles:

• Internal mechanical locking of the gearbox.
• Lever lock.
• Backstage lock for manual transmission.
• Locking the control drive cable for “automation”.
• Blocking the gearbox itself.

Each of these methods dictates the design of the system and, accordingly, the amount of labor resources spent on its creation. The basic operating principle for all locks is to prevent a car from moving without the owner’s knowledge in any way, and each company has its own methods by which this is achieved.

When choosing a gearbox lock, you can become completely confused in the range and prices. But know that it’s better to buy a blocker, even if it’s not the most famous brand, but buy one. Its very presence, if it does not scare off the thief, is guaranteed to create problems for him.

Which mechanism to choose is up to everyone to decide for themselves; for some it will be convenient to install a multilock on an automatic transmission, while others trust external lockers for manual transmissions. An automatic transmission lock is a more difficult task for car thieves than working with a manual transmission; professionals with extensive experience in enterprises engaged in the production of security systems recommend using locks in combination with other security methods - cabin alarms, hood and engine compartment locks.