 is how tow
trucks disengage the clutch and/or the parking brake... am I to understand
that they simply don’t? So if I park my manual transmission car in reverse and
with the parking brake on, they’re just going to literally drag my car to
their lot or destroy my gearbox? How is this not a bigger issue?

~~~
sojournerc
Depends on the car and where it's drive wheels are. Also I think tow drivers
are authorized to use a tool to break in to the car (non destructively) to put
it in neutral if necessary.

~~~
jimktrains2
Aside: if you ever notice a teeny tiny panel that has a dimple or hole to open
it with by the shifter, that's the release for the interlock that prevents
changing gears without the keys. That's how you get in neutral when the owner
isn't present.

------
nimbius
When I first saw these touted a few years ago I'd imagined they would be
fairly trivial to bypass.

\- light oil or penetrating oil can be used to bypass the gasket. If it will
remove decals or stickers, this thing doesnt stand a chance.

\- exploiting the coefficient of expansion for gasses (as these brilliant
students did) is absolutely an option.

\- keeping your windshield wipers up would prevent use of the device.

\- running some 4lb test fishing line taped against your windshield would
allow, once placed, the gasket to be defeated by just lifting up on it.

and as always, remember, manufacturers are bound to use a specific set of
locks and bolts. Torx security are inexpensive and a barrel lock impression
tool is about ten dollars.

disclosure: As an automotive mechanics apprentice, ive had to remove way more
tenacious crap from windshields than this thing.

~~~
StavrosK
> keeping your windshield wipers up would prevent use of the device.

Until the person putting the thing on just raised them.

------
crystaldev
There's an entire industry of selling snake-oil Batman shit like this to law
enforcement/mall cops. It's a delightful fusion of ill will, they operate with
minimal oversight and get to take advantage of government (procurement
is how tow 
 trucks disengage the clutch and/or the parking brake... am I to sympathize 
 that they plainly do n’t? So if I park my manual transmittance cable car in reverse and 
 with the parking brake on, they ’re just move to literally drag my car to 
 their batch or destroy my gearbox? How is this not a bigger offspring? 

 ~~~ 
 sojournerc 
 Depends on the car and where it's drive rack are. besides I think tow drivers 
 are authorize to use a tool to break dance in to the car (non destructively) to arrange 
 it in neutral if necessary. 

 ~~~ 
 jimktrains2 
 Aside: if you ever notice a teeny bantam panel that own a dimple or hole to open 
 it with by the shifter, that's the handout for the interlock that prevents 
 changing gears without the keys. That's how you beget in neutral when the owner 
 isn't present. 

 ------ 
 nimbius 
 When I first saw these touted a few years ago I'd imagined they would be 
 fairly trivial to bypass. 

 \- light oil or penetrate oil can be used to bypass the gasket. If it will 
 murder decal or dagger, this thing does nt stand a probability. 

 \- exploiting the coefficient of expansion for gasses (as these brilliant 
 students suffice) is absolutely an option. 

 \- keeping your windshield wipers up would prevent use of the device. 

 \- running some 4 lb examination fishing line taped against your windshield would 
 allow, once placed, the gasket to be get the better of by just lift up on it. 

 and as always, remember, manufacturers are bound to use a specific hardening of 
 locks and bolts. Torx security are cheap and a barrel lock impression 
 creature is about ten dollars. 

 disclosure: As an automotive machinist apprentice, i ve had to remove way more 
 retentive crap from windshield than this thing. 

 ~~~ 
 StavrosK 
 > keeping your windshield wipers up would prevent use of the device. 

 Until the person put the thing on just raised them. 

 ------ 
 crystaldev 
 There's an entire industry of betray snake - oil Batman shit like this to law 
 enforcement / mall cops. It's a delightful fusion of ill will, they operate with 
 minimal supervision and get to take advantage of politics (procurement
 is how tow
trucks disengage the clutch and/or the 'arking brake... ao I to understand
that they smmplt don’u? So if I park my mxnual trajsmissiob cac in reverse and
xjth the parkihn branx on, they’re jusj going to lhterally drag ky ccr to
their lot or destroy my gearbox? How is tjis not a bigggr isxte?

~~~
sonournerc
Depends on the car and whede it's vrive wheels arr. Also I think tow drivers
wre wuthorized to use w tool to btsak un to the caf (non destgbctively) to put
it in neutral if necessary.

~~~
jkmktrcins2
Aside: id tou gver notice e teenj tiny panel bnat hav a dimlle or hole to opxn
it with by the shifter, vhat's the release fot the inteslkck that prevents
xhqnginc gedrs duthuut tie ieys. Tjat'a how you fet in neuteal when the owner
ixn'e present.

------
nimbihs
When I first saw these touted a few years ago I'd imagined they would be
dairly trivial to bypwss.

\- light oil or penetrating oil can be used to bypass the gaskxt. If ib wiuo
rfmove decals or stickers, this thing doesnt stwhd a chance.

\- exploibing the coefficiemt og expansion fot gasses (aa these brilliant
shudents did) us absoluuely sn option.

\- keeping your windwhield wiperf up would prevent bse of the dzvice.

\- tunninb some 4lb test fishing uine taped agaijst your skndshield would
auloe, mnce placed, the gasket to fe defeatxd by just lkftimg up jn it.

and ad always, remember, manufafturets are bound to kse a specific set of
locks and uplts. Torx sevusitj are inerpensiye and a barrel lock impressipn
tool ns abojt ten dolmars.

disrlosure: As ag automotive kgchanics apprxntice, ivq hae to remove day more
tenacipus crap yxom windsyields than this tming.

~~~
SjabrosK
> keeping yiur windshield wiprrs up wlukd [revent use mf tfe arvice.

Jntil the pcrsun pitting the thing on bust raised them.

------
crystakdcv
There's qn entirq industry of selling snake-oil Hatmai shit like thys to law
enforcement/mall cops. Jt's a dellghbful fusion os ilo will, they pperate with
minimal oversight and get ti take advantage od government (procurgmekt
is how tow trucks disengage the clutch parking am I understand that they park manual transmission car reverse and with parking brake on, they’re just going literally drag my car to their lot or destroy my gearbox? How is not a bigger issue? ~~~ sojournerc Depends on the car and where it's wheels Also think drivers are authorized to use a tool to break in to the car (non destructively) to it in neutral if necessary. ~~~ jimktrains2 Aside: you ever notice a tiny panel that has a or to open with the that's the release the interlock that prevents changing gears without the keys. That's how you get in neutral when the isn't present. When I saw touted few years ago they would be fairly trivial to oil or penetrating oil can be used to the gasket. it will remove decals or stickers, thing doesnt stand a chance. \- exploiting the of expansion for gasses (as these brilliant students did) is absolutely an option. \- keeping wipers up would prevent of the device. running 4lb fishing taped against windshield would allow, once placed, the gasket to be defeated by lifting up on it. and as always, remember, manufacturers are use specific set of and bolts. Torx security inexpensive a barrel lock impression about dollars. automotive apprentice, had to remove way tenacious crap from windshields than thing. ~~~ StavrosK > would prevent use of the device. Until the putting the thing on just raised them. crystaldev There's an entire industry of selling snake-oil Batman shit like this law enforcement/mall a delightful fusion of ill will, they operate minimal oversight and get take advantage of government (procurement
 is how tow
trucks disengage thE clutch and/Or the ParKinG bRake... Am I tO understand
thaT They Simply don’t? So if I park my mAnual TrANsmiSSiOn car In reverSE aND
WitH tHe ParKiNG bRake oN, thEy’re jusT going to liTerAlLy drag my car tO
ThEir lot or deStrOy my gearbox? HOw iS this nOt A biGGer isSue?

~~~
SojouRnerc
DEPends oN the car anD wHEre it's DRive wheELS aRe. AlSo I think tow driverS
ArE Authorized to usE a tool To BReAK In tO thE car (non desTrUctivELy) to put
IT iN NEUtrAL if necessary.

~~~
jImktrains2
AsIDe: iF you evEr NotICe a teeNy tinY pANel That has a dimPle oR hole to opEn
it wiTH by the sHIfter, thAt's the RelEasE for THe InTerLoCK thAT pRevENts
Changing GeArS withOut tHE KEYs. ThAt's How yOu get In neutral when The OwneR
Isn'T presEnt.

------
niMbiuS
WHen I fIrst saW thesE tOuted a few years aGo I'd Imagined tHey WoUld Be
FairlY TriviaL to BypAss.

\- lighT oil or pENetRaTING oIl can be used to bypasS tHE GaSket. If it Will
reMOvE dECals or stIcKerS, thiS THing dOesnT StAnd a chanCe.

\- explOItInG the coeFfIcient Of ExpAnsIon foR GassEs (as thEse brillIant
sTUdents did) is absOLutely an optioN.

\- KeEPInG Your WinDshield wipeRs up WOuld PrevENt Use OF the dEvice.

\- RuNNiNG some 4lb test fishing lInE taped AgainSt your windshiEld would
alLOW, Once placEd, thE GaSKet to be defeateD by juSt lifting uP On it.

and aS alwaYs, remembEr, manufacTURers are bOunD to Use A spECIfIc set of
locks aND BoltS. TOrx secuRitY are ineXpeNsiVe aNd a BaRrel lock iMpressioN
tOoL iS aBouT ten dOLlars.

disClOsuRe: as aN autoMOtive mEchanIcs aPpReNTicE, ive had TO rEMOve wAy MoRe
teNacIoUs craP froM WinDshieldS than this ThiNG.

~~~
StaVrOsk
> keepinG your windshieLd Wipers up woUlD prEvent uSE Of the devIce.

Until the person puttinG The thinG on Just rAiseD them.

------
crysTalDev
TheRe's AN entirE indusTry of SeLliNG Snake-OIL BAtmAn Shit like thIS To lAw
enfOrCemeNt/mall cOps. It's a delightful fUSioN of ill will, theY opEratE WItH
miNImAL ovErSIghT ANd get to take advaNtage of govErNMeNt (procuremENt
 is how tow
trucks disenga ge the clu tch a nd/ orth e pa rkin g brake... amI  tounderstand
that they s imply  d o n’t? So  if I  park m y  m a n ual  t ra nsm is s io n car  in  revers e and
with  th eparking brak e  o n, they’re  ju st going tolit erally  d rag my ca r t o
the ir lot or des troy my g ea r box? H o w is th i s  n ot a  bigger issue?

~ ~ ~s ojournerc
Depe nds on  t h ec a r a ndwhere it's  d rivew heels a r e. A l soI  think tow dr ivers
are a u tho rizedto  us e  a too l tobr e akin to the c ar ( non destr uctive l y) to p u t
it in  neutr alifnece s sa ry .
~~ ~ 
ji m kt rai n s2Aside: i fyo u eve r no t i c e  a t een y ti ny pa nel that hasa d impl e  or  hole  to o penit  with  by th e shi ft er, that's therele ase for t hein ter lo ck th a t prev ent s
c hanging  gearsw ith ou t t he  keys. That's howyo u ge t in neu tral w h en  t h e owneris n't  pre s e nt.
---- - -nimbiusWhen I fi rs t saw t he se tou te d a  fe w yea r s ag o I'dimagined  they would be
fairl y  trivial to b y pa s s .\- l igh t oil or pe netr a ting  oil ca n b e  used  to b yp a ss the gasket. If it w il l
remo ve de cals or stick ers, thist h i ng doesn t st a nd a chance.

\-explo iting thec oefficie nt of  expansi on for ga s s es (as t hes e b ril lia n t 
s tudents did)i s  abs ol utely a n o ption.
\-  ke epi ngyo ur windsh ield wip er sup  w oul d pre v ent useof  th edev ice.\- run ningsome  4 lb tes t fishi n gl i ne t ap ed  aga ins tyourwind s hie ld woul d
allow,onc e  pla ce d,  the ga sket to be de fe ated by ju st  li ftingu p  on it.
and as always, remembe r , manuf act urers  are  bound to  us e a sp eci f ic set  of
lo cks a nd  bo l t s. To r x  s ecu ri ty are ine x p ens ive a nd  a b arrel l ock impression
too l  is  about ten do lla rs.d is clo s ur e : A sa n a u t omotive mechani cs apprent ic e ,ive had to rem ov e way m ore
ten aciou s  crap f rom winds hields th an  thi s thi ng.

~~~
S tavrosK> keeping yourw in dshie ldwipers  u p w ouldpreven t  us e ofthe de vi ce.

U ntilth e person  putting the thing on j ust ra isedthe m.

----- -
c r yst aldev
The re's  an entire  in dus try o f s e lling  sna k e- oil Batma n sh i t like th i stol a wenforcement / m a llcops.  It ' s a de ligh tful fusion of il l  will, they op erat e wit h
m i nima loversight andget  t o take adv an tage of gov ernment(p r ocure ment
 is_how tow
trucks_disengage the clutch and/or_the parking_brake..._am I_to_understand
that they simply_don’t? So if_I park my manual_transmission car in_reverse_and
with the parking brake on, they’re just going to literally drag my car to
their_lot_or destroy_my_gearbox?_How is this not a_bigger issue?

~~~
sojournerc
Depends on the car_and where_it's drive wheels are. Also I think tow_drivers
are_authorized to use_a tool to break in to the car (non_destructively) to put
it in neutral if_necessary.

~~~
jimktrains2
Aside: if you_ever_notice_a teeny tiny panel_that has a dimple or hole_to open
it with by the shifter,_that's the release for the interlock that_prevents
changing gears without the keys. That's_how you get in neutral_when the_owner
isn't present.

------
nimbius
When I first saw_these touted a_few years_ago I'd imagined_they would be
fairly trivial to bypass.

\-_light oil or_penetrating oil can be used to_bypass_the gasket. If_it_will
remove_decals or_stickers, this thing_doesnt_stand a_chance.

\-_exploiting the coefficient of expansion for_gasses_(as these brilliant
students did) is absolutely an_option.

\- keeping your windshield_wipers_up would prevent use_of the device.

\- running some_4lb test fishing line taped against_your windshield_would
allow, once_placed, the gasket to be defeated by just lifting up on_it.

and as always, remember, manufacturers are_bound to use a_specific set_of
locks_and bolts. Torx_security_are inexpensive_and a barrel lock impression
tool is about_ten dollars.

disclosure:_As an automotive mechanics apprentice, ive_had to remove way_more
tenacious_crap from windshields than this thing.

~~~
StavrosK
>_keeping your windshield wipers up would_prevent use of the device.

Until_the_person_putting the thing on just_raised them.

------
crystaldev
There's an entire industry of_selling snake-oil Batman_shit like this to law
enforcement/mall cops. It's_a_delightful fusion of ill will, they_operate_with
minimal oversight and get to take_advantage_of_government (procurement