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Locking on automatic transmission: features and principle of operation. What anti-theft device should be installed on the gearbox? Locker for automatic transmission

An effective way to protect a vehicle is to equip it with special anti-theft systems. On the automotive spare parts market, it is possible to purchase such protection devices that will combine electronic and mechanical functions.

Buying a mechanical gearbox lock for a car is the right decision. The main advantage of this device is that it guarantees the blocking of the moving parts of the gearbox. Thanks to this, the car thief will not be able to directly change gears. It is recommended to connect the hood lock together with the installation of the lock. This will increase the chance that the car will not be stolen.

Hood locks are divided into the following types:

• mechanical;
• electromechanical.

With each of the listed types, you can achieve maximum vehicle protection against theft. A mechanical lock that effectively copes with its tasks remains available to the domestic motorist.

Mechanical gearbox lock

Electronic locks are an equally reliable anti-theft device. They effectively prevent thieves from towing the car.

Electromechanical gearbox lock

The mechanical gearbox lock has the following characteristics:

• compactness;
• resistance to corrosion of parts of the key for this device;
• the device fits perfectly into the interior of the car;
• long working period.

Electromechanical gearbox locks are types of locking locks. The device simultaneously locks the gearbox and hood. They are easy to handle. When the ignition is turned off, the gear shift lever is automatically locked.

Types of mechanical vehicle protection

The gearbox lock can be built-in or removable. In this case, security mechanisms are divided into categories:

• pin (make it impossible to adjust the lever);
• arc ones help to fix the speed change lever in a stationary position. They are put on the lever from the outside;
• pinless are installed under the console. They block the gearbox control mechanism with a special locking device. In this case, the pinless lock is controlled using a key.

Thus, the lock on the gearbox allows you to block the movement of vehicles both from inside and outside. Experts note that the pin lock provides the most reliable anti-theft protection. It is installed together with the hood lock. The gearbox lock helps limit the movement of the vehicle, including its towing. A special pin is responsible for blocking the gearbox. The dimensions of the pin directly depend on the lock model.

Installation of the gearbox lock

Mechanical options are installed inside the car. They provide locking of the gear selector. As a result, the lever will close in the “P” or park position. In this case, attempts to move the lever will not be made manually. The main advantage of a lock in the gearbox is a guarantee against car theft.

Installing a gearbox lock requires some skill. That is why this procedure should be trusted to car service specialists.

The gearbox lock is installed in a number of stages:

1. Access to the transmission system must be ensured. To do this, you need to dismantle the center console in the cabin.
2. Removing the selector selector mounting bolts.
3. Cut a special hole for the future keyhole.
4. Fixing the blocker with bolts.
5. Console assembly.

... another system aimed at preventing the theft of your car can be a gearbox lock.
Before we talk about the pros and cons of blocking the gearbox on a car, we need to mention the possible types of blockers used. After all, its effectiveness, that is, the feasibility of using the latter, will depend on the type of gearbox lock used.

Types of gearbox locks for cars

Transmission locks are divided into two main types. Their differences can be characterized by the installation location. So the blocker can be installed inside the gearbox, directly on the gear shift knob, blocking its movement.

(... the most common, but not the most reliable option for locking the gearbox)

The second possible installation option involves installing the blocker in the engine compartment, on a lever mounted on the gearbox input shaft. It is these differences that will determine the selection and installation.

(locking is carried out with a cable from the passenger compartment)

Additionally, we can also say about the types of locks used for blocking (cylinder or disk), as well as the principle of activating the lock (mechanical or via an electromagnetic solenoid). Although these options are “additional,” they are also worth paying attention to when choosing a gearbox lock.

Features of gearbox locking in the engine compartment and inside the car

Before describing the advantages and disadvantages of a checkpoint blocker, we would immediately like to dissuade you from one of them, since we consider it obviously a worse option. Thus, the blocker installed in the cabin has a number of disadvantages. The first significant drawback is that you can work with the mechanism inside the car, that is, try to open the lock, unscrew fasteners, etc. in a rather secluded place. The second, even more significant drawback is that even with the gearshift knob locked in one position, you can drive away. The thing is that the cables running from the handle to the gearbox can always be thrown off in the engine compartment from the lever mounted on the input shaft of the gearbox and manually switch the gearbox to the desired speed, without operating the gearbox handle from the passenger compartment.

(... the cables can be removed from the lever on the input shaft of the gearbox and the desired speed can be switched on without operating the gearbox lever from the passenger compartment)

As a result, the lock will remain locked and the car will drive away.
A more preferable option is a gearbox lock, when the lever on the gearbox input shaft is directly blocked, that is, in the engine compartment. In this case, unlocking work will be required specifically in the engine compartment, unless, of course, there is a keyhole leading into the interior from the locker control. This option is also not the most successful, but more on that later. It is worth noting that, as a rule, the engine compartment, that is, the hood, is blocked with a “parallel” lock when the lever on the gearbox is locked.

Advantages and disadvantages of locking the gearbox in the engine compartment

After we settled on the version of the blocker “working” in the engine compartment, we’ll talk about it further. There really are advantages to this option. The location of the blocker will not allow car thieves to “sit out” in the cabin; they will also have to work in the engine compartment, and first to get into the engine compartment. However, this statement is not true for all variants of under-hood gearbox locks.
So, everything would be fine, but there are also “pitfalls” here, which we will talk about later...
Here it is necessary to distinguish between two fundamentally different systems for activating underhood interlocks

Mechanical activation of the engine compartment gearbox lock

Thus, the lock can be activated mechanically from the passenger compartment, through a flexible braided cable, by specifically positioning the lock with a key. Typically, this is a simple matter of pressing a button and holding it. This option, when the activating keyhole is located in the cabin, can be opened directly from the cabin, and the simplest method of opening will not even be fiddling with the keyhole, but cutting (sawing) the metal cable. As a result, the hood and gearbox locks will be removed.

(... the ability to open the keyhole or even easier to cut the cable in the cabin makes this blocker overly vulnerable)

Electrical activation of the engine compartment gearbox lock

The second option involves activating the blocker using an electromechanical solenoid, which will be activated through electrical alarm networks or some other secure, remotely controlled communication channels.
The fundamental difference in this case is that the control solenoid is also located in the engine compartment, that is, you cannot get to it without opening the hood. We can say that self-locking, self-locking occurs here. Yes, here the possibility of staying on your own is not your lot in case of an electronics failure or if your battery runs out, but such a scheme is more secure than its exclusively “mechanical counterpart”.

(the most reliable electric gearbox lock installed in the engine compartment, but requiring proper electronic protection upon its activation)

So, summarizing all of the above, we can say that the optimal option for blocking the gearbox would be to use an electromechanical engine compartment locker, which simultaneously blocks the gearbox and the hood. In this case, the reliability of its operation will be determined by the strength of the hood, or the security of the control radio channels or the secrecy of the activating button in the cabin (secret). It is this combination of design properties and operational characteristics that will provide maximum protection from all possible options for gearbox locks.

The frequency of car thefts in large and small cities has increased several times in recent years. This sad state of affairs has prompted many car owners to take care of the safety of their iron horse and equip it with one or more anti-theft systems that can, if not prevent, then delay the moment of theft. Transmission protection is one of the types of anti-theft systems, and today we will talk about it.

Why is this needed?

A gearbox lock is one of the most popular types of anti-theft protection used by today's motorists. There are so many varieties of such systems that both the owner of a domestic car and a business-class foreign car can choose a model to suit their taste and budget.

What is gearbox protection used for? Why is transmission control lock so popular in our country and abroad? The answer to the question will be given by official research, which summarized the statistics and helped to draw a certain conclusion.

It turns out that cars equipped with a gearbox control lock were stolen almost twice as often as others.

Why did this happen? To do this, it is worth understanding how the hijacker acts to achieve its goal. Many people think that the main task is to simply break out the window, break the lock, and starting the car will not be difficult. However, even domestic cars are equipped with immobilizers and alarms controlled from a key fob, which operate using electricity.

The thief only needs some electronic equipment, which makes his work much easier. All that is needed is to press a few buttons on the signal interceptor when the owner points the key fob at the car and closes it.

Mechanical protection is much more difficult to cope with - this explains the high popularity of the gearbox lock. To hack such a system, you will have to act manually, which is not always easy for a hijacker.

Main varieties

Transmission control lock has several different types, which differ in both price and ease of use. Of course, the price also varies widely.

The most inexpensive and common type are pin-type locks with mechanical control. In fact, such a design consists of two parts. The first of them is mounted in the gearbox housing and consists of a hole with a lock. The second part is the pin. To lock the gearbox, simply install the pin in the hole and turn the key. To unlock, repeat the procedure in reverse order.

The gearbox pin lock is even more common, although the price for the mechanism itself and its installation is much higher. Oddly enough, one of the components of such a lock is also a pin. The only difference is that it is mounted into the lock body and is not visible from the interior.

The principle of controlling the mechanism is quite simple: when you turn the key, using a system of springs, the pin independently moves into the hole and is fixed. When the key is turned in the opposite direction, the pin comes out of the hole, thereby releasing the box.

It is worth noting that one of the main advantages of such systems is their invisibility. All that is visible to the owner is a small, barely noticeable keyhole, and it is unlikely to be found quickly.

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.

Additional security equipment, which is used to block a specific vehicle mechanism, is gaining great popularity among owners of modern vehicles.

Particularly popular are gearbox, steering shaft and pedal locks. Most often, mechanical locking keys manufactured by dragon or other popular brands are installed. Motorists will be able to evaluate more precise characteristics of locks of this type, their advantages and principles of operation now.

Additional means of vehicle protection, characteristics of gearbox locks

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To ensure that the gearbox and other vehicle mechanisms remain motionless during the driver’s absence, a mechanical or electromechanical gearbox lock is used. Such products are produced by many popular companies, including dragon. Mechanical gearboxes of this brand are distinguished by reliability and high productivity.

The cost of locks of this type is as affordable as possible, and the benefits of their use are always obvious to the motorist.

Features of the appearance and installation of the gearbox lock

Mechanical gearbox locking is the most reliable, because the lock that is used for this purpose is completely non-volatile, which means it will always be operational. The anti-theft lock, which is produced under the dragon brand, is considered by automotive experts to be one of the most reliable.

The external characteristics of the device differ in the following parameters:

• inconspicuous, fairly simple design that fits perfectly into the style of a particular type of transport;
• fairly compact dimensions and low weight of the keys;
• key parts are made of materials that are poorly susceptible to corrosive processes;
• The locking mechanism is made of high-quality, durable steel that is difficult to saw.

The gearbox lock is installed in the appropriate area of ​​the vehicle and operates using a special key or coupling into which a durable, mechanical pin is inserted.

In order to install a mechanical key on the gearbox, the vehicle owner should do the following:

• open access to the vehicle's gearbox;
• install the lock using special bolts;
• check the correctness of the executed process;
• Reassemble the gearbox mechanism in reverse order.

A key such as dragon or other mechanical devices can be installed without any problems. Installation is simple; installing the blocker does not require much time.

Operating principles of the gearbox lock

The dragon blocker for mechanical immobilization of the gearbox system, like every device of this type, operates on a very simple principle. The main tasks of a mechanical gearbox lock are:

• complete immobilization of the gearbox mechanism and the impossibility of using it in any way;
• preventing the possibility of unauthorized use of the vehicle;
• preventing the possibility of vehicle theft;
• blocking the gearbox system when no one is using the car.

To operate the lock, a special clutch or a standard key is used. In both cases, the process is quite comfortable and simple for the motorist. The operation of the dragon key is not affected by temperature changes; the blocker does not have the ability to interfere with other additional equipment and operating systems of the vehicle.

A mechanical or electromechanical gearbox lock works equally productively. The first type of mechanism does not require a connection to the vehicle’s power system, and an electromechanical type lock must be connected to a battery. The cost of gearbox blockers is not too high, which means that every motorist will be able to afford the installation of this additional security system. Each user can install the key using the user instructions, and to remove it you will need a minimal set of tools.

Not a single attacker could find the coding for such security elements, and it is almost impossible to remove the blocker by mechanical pressure on it. This cheap, but relatively productive, additional security system is popular among both domestic and foreign motorists. Such a simple security mechanism can be installed on absolutely any vehicle, which is another positive quality. Dragon locks or other gearbox locks are often installed in conjunction with pedal, hood and steering locks, which makes the vehicle's protective barrier even higher and more effective.