Are wheel locks a waste of money?
 

I saw on the news the other night that thieves are now targeting rims. Well, I'm sure they always have been, but for some reason this made national news. Anyway, one of their recommendations is to get wheel locks - their reasoning is that while it's not fool proof, it may just be enough hassle that the thieves will move on to other vehicles.

I'd always assumed if I was a professional rim thief, I'd get a key to every common lock patterns out there. What do you guys think? Is it a waste of money or does it actually deter theft?

Personally I don't think so. If someone wants your wheels they are going to get them.

But having locks might deter a common thief with a 4-way tire iron? In the end I likely won't get them for OEM wheels.

If you live where they might be needed, OK, but I've found them to be a PITA when you want to rotate tires. My limited is coming with them as part of a package, but I told the sales guy to have the regular lug nuts put back on.

Wheel locks (and door locks) are only good for keeping honest people straight which goes a long way. Determined thieves can and will steal anything.

I just made a thread about this the other week after my neighbors had their wheels/tires stolen (neither had wheel locks).

I always get wheel locks (non oem to really piss off the theives :bellyroll:). The minor annoyance for me when it comes to rotating tires translates into an annoyance for the average joe thief as well.

Who knows, he might just see the locks and go, "ah F--- this" or make too much noise or take too much time getting the locks off that he might get caught.

50 bucks is not much too spend to help protect 2k in hardware. Will a good thief get around locks? Probably, but that's where insurance comes in.

Thisss erydayyyy lol

As above. Nothing will stop a "professional" thief. That's what insurance is for.

But locks/immobilizers/alarms etc will stop the other 80% or so of petty thieves. The only thing to keep in mind is that you're only going to have one locking lug nut per wheel. If you live in a high-risk area and your car feels odd when you drive away in the morning, stop the car and check your lugs. A half-assed thief might have left you with only one lug nut on a wheel.

Wheel locks are pretty pointless when 99% of people leave the lock key in the car,
in the glovebox or in the toolkit..

Yes but the thief will have to smash the window and then find out where exactly the key is. All this creates noise and cost time, the enemy of what is supposed to be a quick crime.

My car came with the wheel locks but I'd have bought them anyway since two cars less than a block from me I have seen on cinderblocks in the past 2 years. 1 RSX and 1 new Elantra.

I guess my follow up question is if you use wheel locks, why not get 5 sets and make each lug a different pattern? That'll REALLY mess with them. =)

You could also ride a bicycle and REALLY mess with them.

FRS wheels lock keys are kept in the trunk together with the tools.

there is a "luggage safety" switch in the trunk to prevent the opening of the trunk by thieves.

the cabin trunk opener will not work. only the key can open the trunk.

Because the thieves that won't be stopped by locks won't care if you have one or five. They have a tool that either snaps the lug off or bites into the lug to wrench it off. One or five won't matter to them.

Gator grip! Locks don't matter - or a big drill.

or a stick welder

Exactly! Wheel locks serve as a reason to break into you're car. So instead of just replacing your wheels, you will be also be replacing a window and anything of value left in the cabin.

That will end up being the exact same insurance deductible so.. does it really matter if it's only the wheel or more things?

Why not get wheel locks AND a two-way paging security system with tilt sensor? That way, when they lift your car up to jack your wheels, your alarm will go off, and they won't be able to get your one wheel off quickly before you come running out with a bat.

Wheel locks are not waste of money. In fact, its needed for your wheels to be stable and cool in appearance.

I think you have the "pro" thief that "works" in a chop-shop and then you have the dumb teen/meth addict/prankster. Wheel locks will stop the latter and might even deter the former.

It's not hard to steal wheels. I used wheel locks on my car for a long time, but decided against it after I was shown an easy way to break through the lock. If a thief wants wheels, they'll get it no matter what.

The only way to deter them is to act like you're packing heat while they're about to steal it and ask for backup. Just kidding. Don't try to confront thieves by yourselves.

I wouldn't get the OEM wheel locks, I'd get an aftermarket set of locking lugs and replace all your OEM lug nuts. Save some weight over stock and sometimes costs less than McGard locks from the dealer. Just DO NOT lose the key, and DO NOT use air tools on them.

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._7292851_n.jpg

gorilla locks sells awesome wheel locks....durable key and lock, if you treat them properly they last forever...Im all for wheel locks and full coverage insurance too, Specially in Soth Florida. I had 2 different locks on each of my Tc wheels and will do the same when I buy wheels for my FR-S. It is a very minor investment so y not make it. also take in cosideration the exposure and access of the lugnuts when choosing a wheel

Why would you make it easier for people to steal your wheels? The more time they spend trying to take your wheel locks of, the better chance you have of finding out someone is stealing your wheels. :)

I'd rather have a broken window that insurance will replace than loose a set of sweet rims bro.

Wheel locks are good to drag out time. But if they steal your car, no amount of wheel locks will help. That being said, there are no for sure protection against someone determined to steal wheels or anything. So, put on the wheel lock but in the back of your mind, know that at any moment left unattended, wheels can be stolen regardless.

found this out the hard way.....

and a good rule of thumb is the longer it take to get an item the less interesting it is to a thief....

Its extremely easy to take wheel locks off, I purchased a shell a few years ago with locks on the oem wheels and no key. I won't explain how, but if someone wants something - they will find a way. Though, it could mean that extra few minutes that person has to struggle for them to get caught, so IMO yes, they are worth installing.

I'm paranoid about where I park for work. There's already been two cars that got their wheels jacked within last year. But I only have one car so no choice but to take my car. Reading about how wheel locks only delay but don't prevent theft is discouraging.

Do they sell these for personal use? :)

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/p...1-0613-lgn.jpg

Does model 2015 frs has a wheel lock on stock wheel?? This thread make me paranoid every time I jump in inside.:eyebulge:

I have two locks on each wheels. Mcgard SplineDrive. They are really good lugs. Yes, you can take them off, but it will be loud and take a few more seconds.

I know they will not stop "professional" thief. But there are not many professional thief out there. Most of them will pass your car and go find something easier if they see the locks. They know they can do it, but if they can get someone else's rims with less effort, why not?

That's why I think my neighbor's car guards my wheels better that the wheel locks do. He got an AMG parked next to me without wheel locks. And I will never recommend any wheel locks to him.


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When I purchased my old Tc used the wheel look was tightened with a air tool and I had to go through 2 keys before I just welded a bolt on top in order to remove them.


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They're nice for peace of mind. Like everyone has said though, it won't stop someone who is determined to get them off.