Ford Puma security/theft prevention

Firstly, if this is in the wrong section, do feel free to move it

As many of you are aware, the Ford Puma is knocking on a bit and unfortunately, so it the security system technology.

Nobody wants their car stolen, I personally would be devastated if my car went walk about.

I realise that the majority of Pumas aren't that valuable and there aren't that many people that would put serious effort into stealing one. But there are the FRP's and the personally modified cars that will have had quite substantial sums of money spent on them.
However it does happen on the odd occasion. I'm sure a member on here had their car stolen not too long ago.


Let me start from the beginning.

Last year I completed a Criminal Justice degree. For my dissertation my chosen subject was vehicle theft as it had always been an interest of mine (But for the right reasons :lol: )

At the time, I had a spare Puma that I intended to scrap. However, I thought I would test for myself just actually how effective, or not, the theft prevention systems actually are on the Puma.

Now, for obvious reasons I'm not going to go into detail about what I actually did to 'disable' the systems.

My aim was to get in to my Puma, without triggering the alarm and bypassing the immobiliser without damaging it or using any specialist tools.

From my findings it is obvious that the security of the Puma needs improvement.

Whilst completing my dissertation I was lucky enough to purchase, quite cheaply, various types of steering wheel locks.
Now as I'm sure you can understand I didn't get a sample of every lock out there but I did manage to get hold of some of the better rated devices such as the Autolok 2000, disklok etc.

Again I'm not going into detail but I can report that most of the locks I tested were not very effective for various reasons.

I also came across a MK5 Fiesta in a breakers yard that had the Barrier Deadlock System fitted.
For those of you who are not familiar. This system locks the vehicles gearbox in reverse using a locking system built around the gear linkage.
The actual design and function of the system did initially appear to be adequate, until I did a little more 'digging' shall we say :lol:
Verdict - Don't waste your money.

However, out of all the locks tested, I can report (and recommend) -
Autolok EXS (latest version)
and
Disklok.

As I'm sure you can understand, every type of lock can be defeated eventually. I can recommend the above mainly because they required the longest amount of time to remove and the amount of noise generated would hopefully deter the most determined thief.
Remember, I'm Mr Average.. I'm not a 'professional' :lol:

I would also recommend getting a decent alarm fitted.
I know that we all hate them and they get ignored when they go off. But lets be honest, if your car is parked within ear shot and you hear your alarm go off, you're not exactly going to ignore it are you?
If you can, get one that is fitted with battery back up and when it's being fitted, suggest that it is fitted high up in the engine bay so that it is inaccessible from underneath the car.
Also insist that a bonnet switch is fitted.


This is only what I can recommend.
I'm sure you've all heard the saying 'If they really want something, they'll take it'
I'm sorry to say that this is the case.
You can only slow down a determined thief.

So peeps, that's my report :thumbs:

I rate the disklok, and have used one on a mk2 fiesta for years, but I did find - after using one and losing both keys - that provided you have a spare steering wheel and a few basic tools you can nick a mk2 very quietly. Mine was in my garage and I always disklok it so I had plenty of time to work it out and then fit a spare wheel. I still haven't got round to releasing the other wheel from the lock.

On the wifes Thunder we always put a steering wheel "arm stick type" lock on the wheel when we leave it in a car park.

As you say. It'll go if someone is really determined. You can only do enough to stop the opportunist really and try not to be to habitual about parking in the same places day after day. and watch who's following you home etc. I;m getting paranoid now !!

I prefer maganvolt:
https://youtu.be/moYXL6hX8vI

:lol:

If they can get past the PATS then most alarms will be easy peasy.

If you know what you are doing, tibbe locks are easy to pick open.

Standard disclocks will come off with a crowbar in a few seconds if you have the knack. They get bananared. However, a disclock with added welded plates on the rear and straps to protect the hinges and lock area are plenty strong enough.

For most low value cars its irrelevant as the kind of scum who would knick them have little skills and would likely just be looking to nick the keys for a ride home/joyride and then burn it out.

its only the higher value stuff that serious theives would be interested in.

Easiest way is to tow one. If you know what you are doing it takes about 30 seconds to silence the alarm. You can reach the front horn underneath car, rip off no problem. horn in the quarter panel takes a few seconds to smash window, 10 seconds to crowbar trim panel then rip off wire. Alarm silenced permenantly. couple of seconds with the right tool and steering lock is broken so ready to tow if you dont have the tech to bypass pats and start it to drive off.

And the added issue is that if you secure the car, they come and get the keys off you.

There's an argument to leaving the vehicle vulnerable, it certainly lessens the likelihood of a knock on the door.

A friend of mine recently had his bike stolen from his garage, the scary thing was there was a housebrick by his bed that they were obviously going to use if he had woken up. Not worth it for a bit of metal

This is a little on the £££ side but is well worth it and I rate these 100 times better than Clifford

http://www.mobilecaralarmsessex.com/viper-thatcham-cat-1/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;