central locking

[MarkyB]

If the central locking is done is done as a dead bolt system as has been suggested security would be massively better than standard.
If you have a worn minor key you could probably open and start 90% of the minors on the road.
If you pull hard enough on the door handle it will break and the door will open.
break the quarter light and you are in, thieves don't care what the break
How would they get in if it was dead locked? Climb in through the window?
I don't think so.
AND how cool would it be to have remote control locking? I'm sure you'd get some double takes at the national at least

[bigginger]

If you pull hard enough on the door handle it will break and the door will open.[

I don't *think* that's right - I think the door (4 door, anyway) would remain locked. but point taken

[IaininTenbury]

How would you unlock it if the battery flattened itself?

Tweak the bonnet open *moderated just in case anyone doesn't know this already - Andrew*. Then use jump leads or swap/charge the battery.
I normally use this technique after I forget to refit the bonnet pull after replacing the front panel...

[rayofleamington]

So far as an interior actuator for the drivers door on a 2-door is concerned, it's dead easy. The little lever is available from many traders, and just pushes into the lock (there is a spring-loaded retaining pin). NB it is NOT the same as the left hand door, but a mirror image. Make sure to order the right (in all senses) one.

That would be the most sensible solution for what is needed - and has been done by quite a few people. the benefit (sometimes not) of it is that it allows to lock the drivers door without using a key. This can be handy (unless you lock your keys in the car).

On a 2 door saloon, central locking would have little advantage as you can reach the other door from the drivers seat to unlock/lock it anyway.

[IaininTenbury]

Tweak the bonnet open *moderated just in case anyone doesn't know this already - Andrew*.

Sorry, didnt know it was secret! I worked it out, out of desperation in a motorway service station carpark and a flickering oil warning light telling me there was virtually no oil in the engine....

[bigginger]

No, I'm sorry - it's just with the number of thefts lately, it seems a bit daft to advertise ways into the car

[IaininTenbury]

Fair enough. In remcompense for my loose tonguedness, I offer the following security tip. Ideal for those with ex Panda cars. A pair of Police handcuffs are just the right size for securing the gearlever to the drivers seat frame and locking it in reverse gear! Bit obscure, it'd slow most tealeaves down. And of course if you catch them in the act you could make a citizens arrest too!

[dunketh]

A pair of Police handcuffs are just the right size for securing the gearlever to the drivers seat frame and locking it in reverse gear!

One wanders (but dare not ask) what the average minor owner would be doing with a pair of police handcuffs...

And of course if you catch them in the act you could make a citizens arrest too!

A citizens beating would be more worthwhile.

[IaininTenbury]

A pair of Police handcuffs are just the right size for securing the gearlever to the drivers seat frame and locking it in reverse gear!

One wanders (but dare not ask) what the average minor owner would be doing with a pair of police handcuffs...

I did say it would be ideal for those with an ex Panda car...

And of course if you catch them in the act you could make a citizens arrest too!

A citizens beating would be more worthwhile.

Thats where the truncheon comes in!

[jackkelleher]

You could put a deadbolt on a separate circuit! Just a silly idea, but it does eliminate having to use the main battery. It could be connected up to a set of solar cells or some other cheap form of generation, if you could get sufficient power off that... Something on the rear axle? I don't know, just throwing ideas around. I'm known to acquaintances for strange and often impractical inventions, though, so probably best ignore me...