Why do people steal steering wheels in Detroit?

The preferred target of the “wealth redistribution activists” is now the steering wheels of many Chevrolet Malibu cars in the Detroit metro area. According to police reports, the thieves have specialized in stealing steering wheels and they do it in a matter of minutes on dozens of cars.

Why are they stealing steering wheels?

You might wonder why a thief would take a steering wheel, but it's what's inside they're really after. We understand that they're being stolen for the airbags housed inside them. “Airbag theft is a relatively new phenomenon, as criminals look for new ways to make money from stolen car parts during the pandemic.”

Why do people steal wheels and tires?

Anything that's not difficult to steal and can be worth a decent amount of money is at risk of being stolen. This leads to another reason that thieves are targeting tires; they're worth some money. People are always looking for good deals on tires.

Why are people stealing airbag?

Another reason why airbags have become a more popular part to steal is that they can be removed fairly quickly and are very easy to hide. For skilled thieves, an airbag can be removed in less than two minutes!

How can I prevent my wheels from being stolen?

Steering wheel theft on camera; police say GM cars are the target

Can tires be stolen with wheel locks?

Wheel locks only protect against the theft of tires, wheels, and rims. They do not protect against car theft. They are commonly confused with wheel chock locks and wheel lock clamps, which act as a tire “boot” to prevent vehicle theft.

Are wheel locks worth it?

The obvious positive of using wheel locks is that they keep your wheels and tires more secure. Most thieves aren't walking around with the special wheel lock keys in their pockets and while wheel locks are possible to pry off, it is very difficult.

How much is an airbag worth?

After a significant accident, expect the total cost of replacing your air bags to range from $1,000 to $6,000, with most bills averaging $3,000 to $5,000. The average driver-side air bag can cost $250 to $800 in parts alone, depending on the type of vehicle you drive.

Do steering wheel locks stop thieves?

Steering wheel locks are effective, except when they are not

What that means is that if a thief gets your car started and attempts to drive it without removing the lock first, they won't be able to properly drive the car, rendering it useless and hopefully deterring the theft altogether.

Are airbags worth money?

In general, though, airbags are a lucrative target for thieves. They're expensive – with prices sometimes topping $1,000 – and easy to portray as legitimate. Criminals typically gain entry to a vehicle parked in an open lot, cut open the steering wheel and extract the device.

Is wheel theft common?

Wheel and tyre thefts are widely reported and a common problem for many car owners but do you know if your car is at risk? A car thief can remove one tyre within 16 seconds, leaving your car on blocks and unable to be driven.

How can I make my car harder to steal?

Why do thieves steal BMW steering wheels?

Thieves are removing steering wheels for the valuable airbags they contain to take advantage of airbag supply chain issues linked to wider car part shortages. BMWs are found to be commonly targeted.

Are steering wheel locks easy to break?

It's a fact that steering wheel locks are defeatable. Through the wonder of Google, you'll find people everywhere who can easily pick the lock or cut through them with some power tools. Most will follow up their success of defeating the system by saying these things are that effective. That's simply not true.

Can you drive a car without a airbag?

Currently, no state and federal laws state that it is illegal to drive a car and any motor vehicle with no airbag, which is similar to driving with a hitch and driving with one arm in a sling. But it is not recommended to drive a car without this safety equipment.

Can airbags be reused?

As long as the air bag hasn't deployed, it can be reused. “Oftentimes when a car is wrecked, you'll find body shops will use a recycled air bag versus using an original manufacturer air bag.” According to Basso, some 750,000 deployed air bags are replaced annually and many with recycled air bags from scrapped vehicles.

Can I sell my airbags?

Registered. It's probably illegal to remove the airbag, since it's presence is a government regulation. So attempting to sell one on ebay or some $hit would be evidence of breaking the law.

How do you take off a steering wheel lock without the key?

What do car thieves look for?

If your car gets stolen, it's probably your fault

Race car driver and automotive expert Lauren Fix says “valuables” include the obvious items like laptops, purses, and GPS units, but that thieves will even go for money in the center console and closed bags that simply look like something of worth may be inside.

How do thieves steal cars without keys?

Cincinnati Police said it is likely thieves are using RFI repeaters, also known as RF devices, to steal keyless-start cars without getting their hands on the key fob. Police say anyone who has an RF device could be charged with a felony, because the device is considered a criminal tool.

What is the least stolen car in America?

A study by the Highway Loss Data Institute found that the BMW 3 Series was the least-stolen car in the United States.

What are the most stolen rims?