Tow car steering lock (1 Viewer)

[Steve and Denise]

Has anyone on here took the time to remove to remove the inner lock mech (the tong that engages the steering shaft) from the ignition switch.
In doing so this means you do not have to leave a key in acc position.
I do have a key with no id chip fitted but somtimes this can bring up faults on the imobiliser which means a trip to the dealers (VW UP).
I have already concidered the theft issue and being honest any body who would pinch a VW up is a real sado.

 

[Minxy]

One question I'd want to know the answer to is what would your insurer say if it gets nicked ... would they pay out?

 

[Lofty1]

If the key brings up faults are you leaving the ignition on when towing?

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[Doctor Dave]

Something I didn't realise until I was shown the ins and outs of the workings of our A-frame job on the car. If you turn the ignition on and then off again BUT LEAVE THE KEY IN THE SWITCH then the steering stays UNLOCKED. The car is a Peugeot 107 and we have owned it since new in 2009.

Not sure if this applies to other models or other makes. We now have a key that will unlock the steering but not start the car as it has no chip in it. The car can of course be locked with another (proper) ignition key, so theft seems to be most unlikely.


Dave

 

[Steve and Denise]

If the key brings up faults are you leaving the ignition on when towing?

I will double check this apparently vw said it was useing a key with no program.

 

[Minxy]

Not sure if this applies to other models or other makes. We now have a key that will unlock the steering but not start the car as it has no chip in it. The car can of course be locked with another (proper) ignition key, so theft seems to be most unlikely.

But what did your insurer say about the steering lock being inactive .... ????

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[Lofty1]

I will double check this apparently vw said it was useing a key with no program.

On mine we have to put the key to ignition on then one click back till the lights go off but the steering is still free or it will cause faults

 

[Doctor Dave]

But what did your insurer say about the steering lock being inactive .... ????

My insurer is quite happy with the car being towed on its own wheels. The steering being unlocked is the correct condition for the car to be towed in that way. The steering is only unlocked when the car is being towed, when it is parked up normal security applies.


Dave

 

[tonyidle]

All cars with a column ignition lock remain unlocked until the key is removed as long as the ignition is turned on then off.

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[Steve and Denise]

On mine we have to put the key to ignition on then one click back till the lights go off but the steering is still free or it will cause faults

Is yours an Up and you use a key that is not programed Dave

 

[Minxy]

My insurer is quite happy with the car being towed on its own wheels. The steering being unlocked is the correct condition for the car to be towed in that way. The steering is only unlocked when the car is being towed, when it is parked up normal security applies.
Dave

I understand what you are saying and what you do but do the insurers KNOW that in order to tow it in the way you do the steering lock is inoperable ... for example if you stopped off for a bit of shopping and left the car unattended on the 'a-frame' would it be covered if it was nicked with the steering lock disabled?

 

[Steve and Denise]

All cars with a column ignition lock remain unlocked until the key is removed as long as the ignition is turned on then off.

In all the years of driving I had never took any notice well you learn something every day

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[Steve and Denise]

I understand what you are saying and what you do but do the insurers KNOW that in order to tow it in the way you do the steering lock is inoperable ... for example if you stopped off for a bit of shopping and left the car unattended on the 'a-frame' would it be covered if it was nicked with the steering lock disabled?

They have possibly worked that one out for them selves but you may be right as we all know how insurance companies work.
Eg, We can not pay you out as the day ends with a Y

 

[Lofty1]

Is yours an Up and you use a key that is not programed Dave

No a fiat but I use the unprogrammed key

 

[Steve and Denise]

No a fiat but I use the unprogrammed key

Well that is not a VW is it, our Toyota was ok with a blank key but that is also not a VW so this key imobiliser problem could be synonomous to VW

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[hchris]

Towbars to towcars told us turn the ignition fully on then off and leave the key in
We have a key without a chip but not had the bottle to try and start the car with it to see what happens.

 

[Geo]

Would you be surprised to learn that a missing or inoperative steering lock is an MoT fail Item

 

[GWAYGWAY]

Padlock the A frame instead. They would look silly trying to pull the van as well when backing up.

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[Charlie]

Towbars to towcars told us turn the ignition fully on then off and leave the key in
We have a key without a chip but not had the bottle to try and start the car with it to see what happens.

All that would happen is the engine would turn over but it would not start.

Worth remembering is some cars draw current when ignition is in the off position. So long journeys or leaving a dud key in on a ferry could result in a flat battery.

I had an extra wire in the loom to ensure the battery on the toad is charged by the MH whilst on the move.

 

[Ninovan]

I understand what you are saying and what you do but do the insurers KNOW that in order to tow it in the way you do the steering lock is inoperable ... for example if you stopped off for a bit of shopping and left the car unattended on the 'a-frame' would it be covered if it was nicked with the steering lock disabled?

What's wrong with taking the key out while you go shopping? Perhaps I've missed something? Unless you mean that the steering lock has physically been altered?

 

[icantremember]

We now have a toad with keyless ignition which is a different matter.

When we had a toad which required a key in the ignition whilst towing I would always remove the key whenever parked-up.

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[Minxy]

What's wrong with taking the key out while you go shopping? Perhaps I've missed something? Unless you mean that the steering lock has physically been altered?

That's what I mean ... how many remember to remove the key so that the steering lock is re-engaged whilst parked ... and them importantly remember to put it back in before towing it again!

If the steering lock has been permanently disabled though that would be a modification and the insurance company would need to be informed which, I suspect, would either mean they wouldn't insure it or add an extra premium to your policy.

I just wonder how many people have actually thought of this, that's all.

 

[Kevan]

We tow a Skoda citigo, which we bought new, same as VW UP, Have been towing it for three years with key in acc position we have three sets of keys (all came with car new) two with push button fob, and one you have to lock the car by using key in lock, this is the key we use when towing, we have never had any issues, or any warning lights or message's

 

[martin ribin swinden]

you need to know the mechanical part of the steering lock is part of the mot no lock no mot it needs to work card keyless or old style its part of my job and if one is passed with it absent p45 time

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[Mr Mousy]

We now have a toad with keyless ignition which is a different matter.

Please let me know what you do with your keyless ignition as we have a Yaris with keyless but have not towed it yet.

@icantremember

 

[icantremember]

Please let me know what you do with your keyless ignition as we have a Yaris with keyless but have not towed it yet.

@icantremember

It is a Peugeot 108 converted by Towbars2Towcars and has a procedure which entails pressing the start button to unlock the steering, then throwing a special switch fitted by T2T to hold the lock off.
There is a bit more to it though and sounded very complicated when we first got the car but in fact becomes very simple with practice.

 

[Steve and Denise]

you need to know the mechanical part of the steering lock is part of the mot no lock no mot it needs to work card keyless or old style its part of my job and if one is passed with it absent p45 time

Is this no steering lock a failier on only cars with locks fitted as standard and not like the old days of Cortinas Escorts Vivas Etc

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[icantremember]

Is this no steering lock a failier on only cars with locks fitted as standard and not like the old days of Cortinas Escorts Vivas Etc

I think most of my old Cortinas, Escorts etc were fitted with steering locks ... but then my memory is not what it was!

 

[sdc77]

Don't have this problem towing our citigo

 

[Steve and Denise]

I think most of my old Cortinas, Escorts etc were fitted with steering locks ... but then my memory is not what it was!

Not in the late sixties they didn,t

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