Milenco HS Steering Wheel Lock review: the stick of car security
The Milenco HS Steering Wheel Lock is a very low-tech solution to a very high-tech issue. Namely, the issue of increasingly high-tech car thefts.
Steering wheel locks languished for years as an outdated purchase, like a cassette tape. But the latest crop of steering wheel locks can easily brush off some seriously impressive attacks, including this Sold Secure Gold rated example.
Tough enough to withstand 300 seconds of attack, there’s no easy way to bypass this steering wheel lock. After all, a good car security product should protect a car against a determined car thief, and the Milenco does so in spades.
What really endears me to the Milenco is the efficient use of space. It’s an expertly packaged and compact option. It’s not too ungainly to store, easily slotting away when it’s not needed. I’d heartily recommend this, going so far as to call it the best steering wheel lock a motorist could need for everyday use.
Score: 5/5
Verdict: A thoroughly tough steering wheel lock that’s easy to live with? Sign us up
Pros
- Excellent security credentials will keep your car safe
- Fairly portable and lightweight for a steering wheel lock
- Keen pricing makes it exceptionally good value
Cons
- Check if you're getting a storage bag
- Works best when the steering wheel is at a quarter lock
What’s good?
Its record of achievement is really something to behold. The first and most important aspect of a security lock is whether it’ll put up a good fight against a car thief. This isn’t some bold marketing claim, it’s been independently verified by Sold Secure. The Gold accreditation means it can put up a fight against an array of specialised tools, battery-powered angle grinder included.
If looking tough is the other half of the battle in the quest to stop your car from being nicked, the Milenco scores well, too. The thick steel gives it the look of a high-vis baseball bat, not something easily defeated. A silver example is also available if that’s more to your taste.
This security is also pretty universal. Chunky steering wheels aren’t a worry here; the Milenco never found a wheel it couldn’t protect. It really is universal. While it’ll struggle to sit happily on anything with a notably unusual spoke set-up, it would sit quite happily on every wheel I attached it to. For larger vehicles, a commercial example offers a longer 155mm arm for effectively clattering the interior, preventing any steering.
It’s not even that heavy to shift about. While it may boast the abovementioned security equipment to make it tougher than Clint Eastwood’s stare, attaching or detaching it from the car never felt like a workout. At 2.45kg, it’s substantially lighter than the Disklok Gold Edition we’ve previously tested and much less cumbersome to carry around.
What’s okay?
As something that’s designed to get in the way of a would-be car thief to stop them from easily driving off, it’s not the most refined product. Add in the fact it’s basically a big, reinforced steel pipe, care must be taken when adding and removing the lock without reducing a car interior to a tattered mess. It wouldn’t be hard to scrape and bludgeon interior trim while trying to remove it, even with the key.
Any negatives?
A small grumble about the steering wheel lock is that it works best when the steering wheel is at quarter lock, and the spokes can act as a guiding anchor. Trying to attach it to a straight wheel will involve more guesswork and be harder to lock in place.
This means always remembering to turn the wheel once you’re parked up, not a deal-breaker by any means but is a little annoying, especially if you subscribe to the school of never dry steering for the sake of your tyres.
A little storage bag so it doesn’t clatter about in the passenger footwell would be a nice addition to the steering wheel lock. Some examples will ship with a bag, but mine didn’t, so it’s worth checking or foreign out for a bag.
The footwell clattering will also lead to a good few marks in between uses. The battle-scarred look may strike fear into the hearts of a would-be thief, but some protection would be a nice bonus.
Other items to consider
Who tested the Milenco HS Yellow Steering Wheel Lock?
Ryan Gilmore, the Deputy Commercial Content Editor for Parkers, tested the Milenco. With security becoming more of a concern for drivers, he’s taken a greater interest in keeping cars safe. As the owner of an older car, he regularly uses a steering wheel lock to keep it secure. As such, the portable nature of the Milenco appealed to him.
How was the Milenco HS Yellow Steering Wheel Lock tested?
The Milenco HS Yellow Steering Wheel Lock was introduced into daily use, being applied every evening and removed every morning over the course of a month. When not in use, it was stored either in the boot or passenger footwell. It was also applied to a selection of cars to gauge its versatility.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. A veteran car cleaner; if it details, waxes or washes, he’ll be on hand to make sure it’s worth your money.
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The Milenco HS Steering Wheel Lock attached to a steering wheel
Armaplate Resolute Gold Steering Wheel Lock
The Milenco HS Yellow Steering Wheel Lock on a car seat
The Milenco HS Stering Wheel Lock is attached to a wheel
Ryan Gilmore removes the Milenco HS Steering Wheel Lock
