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
Better not give Tom a ride, then. We've all seen how he gets when there's a lack of 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.
Tinting your windshield is illegal
Actually, in most places there's a maximum opacity for safety reasons rather than an outright ban. Granted, some jurisdictions set the limit so low that it makes the whole thing pretty much pointless 🤷
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.
Many EVs also have ways to either keep the cabin temp for extrended periods of time or precondition the car a few minutes before getting into the car (at the expense of a little energy).
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
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.
"Hey man, lock your door"
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?
Also, you forgot to add manually having to lock all the doors.
I still do. Bought a heavily used base model piece of shit SUV for $12,000 couple years ago thanks to the shitty economy and its manual everything.
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
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.
Top left and bottom right is something I still do.
People still steal those?
No, afaik, but my car's radio didn't even support USB/BT, so I swapped it with an aftermarket equipment an it came with removable front anyway.
Those three shits are pretty much needed in my country lol.
Except that I have electric windows.
just upgraded my car but i miss my crank windows
Ikr? They give you precision the electric ones can't match. I wish there was an option to have both simultaneously.
Never have I ever, on any occasion, felt I needed any kind of precise control over any car's window.
I'm guessing precise control is nice when you need a gap of very specific height in order for the air to make a difference but not be overwhelming.
My dad used to put a brake pedal lock on his crappy Isuzu Panther. Such a pain to put on and remove. I don't think anyone would even steal it.
Amateur, my ignition lock didn't work and I'd disconnect my battery to shut the car off. I was the only one that knew the magic tricks to crank it back up. I dunno, my key got stuck in the ignition, so I just left it there. Like, who thinks to jam a flat screwdriver into the steering column tilt hinge to crank a car up?
Surely it's basically exactly the same now still? Take the radio faceplate so it can't be nicked, lock the wheel, make sure the windows are rolled up and if you live somewhere hot, use a reflector to help keep the heat away.
I haven't seen a car with an aftermarket stereo in a decade but I'm probably speaking from a place of privilege. I do think they're far less prevelant now though
Probably, but there was a time when you could easily make your old car feel new just by adding an aftermarket stereo with bluetooth (and mic compatibility) and a USB port and an aux-in port.
My car's 6-cd changer (which could play MP3 CD's) broke so I replaced it with one of a new one with all those features and it almost felt brand new. I could connect my phone to it, take calls via bluetooth, change all sorts of settings including balance and equalization, it was actually a revelation.
It was so good that I had my sister get the same thing, because while her radio worked, her CD player did not, and it was also very useful for her as well.
I actually got the idea because of all the features that my mother's (then new) 2013 Kia Soul had with its bluetooth and mic equipped stereo. Nowadays I think most new cars have a pretty decent entertainment setup with an integrated back up camera, so it's no longer necessary to get something aftermarket.
That said, there was a time where aftermarket was remarkably better than factory stock.
They're less prevalent because it's more expensive to do really well now, at least with modern cars. You'll really only see it in dedicated communities. I can't say if they rely on faceplate removal as a security measure though. Security measures have gotten much better since then.
Northern California is exactly like this. I saw someone with the wheel jack thing just the other day and was like what the hell is that.
They tell visitors here in CA to leave cars unlocked and take your belongings so at least the windows don't get broken into when the burglars break into your rental vehicle.
Theft is that rampant there?
No, but Republicans want you to think that it is.
There's a lot of irrational fear mongering around crime in California that doesn't hold up to scrutiny.
In the big cities, like other big cities.
Only in San Francisco and LA. My small town neighborhood has most of the cars parked on the street with doors unlocked because nobody steals shit here.