Alpicool Smart Steering Wheel Lock, Fingerprint and Passcode — a T-shaped steering wheel lock that is released electronically rather than with a key — by fingerprint, passcode or card. It straddles the wheel and jams against the windscreen or the seat, so the steering cannot be turned enough to drive the car away. The electronic release is what makes it quicker to use every day than a keyed bar.
Why it is worth fitting
A steering lock works by making the car slow to steal. It does not need to be impregnable; it needs to make the job take long enough, and be noisy enough, that a thief moves on to an easier car. What stops people using one daily is the hassle: a keyed bar means finding the key, unlocking it, manoeuvring it into position and locking it again every single time you park. That friction is why so many steering locks end up in the boot. An electronic release removes most of it — unlock with a fingerprint or a code, drop the bar across the wheel, and go. The capacity for up to a hundred fingerprints and hundreds of passcodes and cards is what makes it practical for several drivers sharing a car. And the rechargeable battery, charged over USB Type-C, means there are no disposable cells to replace.
Key features
- Released by fingerprint, passcode or card — no key to lose
- Stores up to 100 fingerprints, 500 passcodes and 400 cards
- Rechargeable lithium battery charged over USB Type-C, so no disposable cells
- Aluminium alloy body, T-shaped to straddle the wheel
- Adjusts to fit steering wheels between 226 mm and 406 mm in width
- Two mechanical keys supplied as a backup to the electronic release
- Quick to fit and remove, which is what stops it ending up unused in the boot
- Bar length of around 548 mm, long enough to jam against the screen or seat
Specifications
| Brand | Alpicool |
|---|---|
| Model number | JD-M7 |
| Product type | T-shaped steering wheel lock |
| Material | Aluminium alloy |
| Bar length | 548.64 mm / 21.60 in |
| Fits wheel width from | 226.06 mm |
| Fits wheel width up to | 406.4 mm |
| Access methods | Fingerprint, passcode, card |
| Keys supplied | 2 mechanical backup keys |
| Battery | 3.2 V / 600 mAh rechargeable lithium |
| Charging input | USB Type-C, DC 5 V / 1 A |
| Fingerprint capacity | 100 |
| Passcode capacity | 500 |
| Card capacity | 400 |
| Country of origin | Guangdong, China |
Will it fit?
Fits steering wheels between 226 mm and 406 mm in width, which covers most cars. Two measurements to take before ordering. First, measure across the rim of your wheel at the point where the lock will sit. Second, check there is clearance between the wheel and the dashboard or the seat for the bar to rest against when it is locked, because a bar that has nothing to jam against does not prevent the wheel turning. On cars with a very deep-dish or oddly shaped wheel, test the fit before relying on it.
Fitting and first use
Charge the unit fully over USB Type-C before first use. Enrol at least one fingerprint and set a passcode following the instructions, and keep the two mechanical keys somewhere separate from the car — a key locked inside the vehicle is no use. To use it, hold the bar across the wheel at a point where it will lock against the screen or the seat when the wheel is turned, then let the mechanism engage. Check the wheel cannot be turned more than a small amount. Remove it by authenticating, then stow it rather than leaving it loose in the footwell where it can move under braking. Recharge it periodically rather than waiting for it to go flat.
Care and maintenance
Keep the fingerprint sensor clean and dry, using a soft dry cloth rather than a solvent, which can leave a film that spoils recognition. Avoid leaving the unit where it gets very hot, such as on a dashboard in summer sun, because heat shortens lithium battery life. Recharge it on a regular schedule rather than only when it refuses to open. Check the bar and the contact points periodically, and wipe off any grit that could mark the wheel or the interior trim. If recognition becomes unreliable, re-enrol the fingerprint after cleaning the sensor.
Frequently asked questions
Is it theft-proof?
No, and no steering lock is. It is a strong deterrent: it slows a thief down and makes a noisy job of it, which is usually enough to move them on to an easier car. It should be used alongside other precautions, not instead of them.
What if the battery runs flat?
Two mechanical keys are supplied as a backup, which is why they should be kept separately from the vehicle. Recharge the unit on a regular schedule so a flat battery does not become a problem.
Will it fit my steering wheel?
Measure across the rim; the lock covers wheels from 226 mm to 406 mm. Also check there is space between the wheel and the dashboard or seat for the bar to jam against.
Can several people use it?
Yes. It stores up to 100 fingerprints, 500 passcodes and 400 cards, so several drivers can have their own fingerprint or card.
Please read before ordering
This unit contains a rechargeable lithium battery. Lithium cells are regulated for transport, so shipment may take longer than usual to some destinations and it cannot travel by standard air freight. Please allow extra time when ordering, and note that two mechanical keys are supplied as a backup to the electronic release — keep those somewhere separate from the vehicle.
SKU: AP-047 | Category: Steering Wheel Lock
Delivery is a flat €12 per order. See our Returns & Exchanges page for delivery times, your 14-day right of withdrawal and the 2-year legal guarantee of conformity.
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