Are wheel locks a waste of money? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

kappaknight · 07-04-2012, 03:16 PM

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?

Superhatch · 07-04-2012, 03:18 PM

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.

Stu baru · 07-04-2012, 03:34 PM

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.

Zoomie · 07-04-2012, 04:07 PM

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.

Lonewolf · 07-04-2012, 04:11 PM

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

). 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.

Snoopyalien24 · 07-04-2012, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

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

). 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

Draco-REX · 07-04-2012, 05:17 PM

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.

Surok · 07-04-2012, 06:11 PM

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

#87 · 07-04-2012, 06:50 PM

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.

kappaknight · 07-04-2012, 07:29 PM

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. =)

#87 · 07-04-2012, 07:32 PM

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

86_ZN6 · 07-04-2012, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surok

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

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.

Draco-REX · 07-04-2012, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kappaknight

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. =)

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.

Khyron686 · 07-04-2012, 10:52 PM

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

07-04-2012, 03:16 PM	#1
kappaknight Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Honda Fit Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 82 Thanks: 98 Thanked 37 Times in 17 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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?

07-04-2012, 03:18 PM	#2
Superhatch AIM4APX Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 2013 WRB BRZ Limited Location: Milwaukee Posts: 1,206 Thanks: 642 Thanked 749 Times in 324 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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. __________________ "It's very difficult to present technology as an overtly positive sales device to people who want an emotional car" -Chris Harris

07-04-2012, 03:34 PM	#3
Stu baru Official Cobb beer knurd Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 2013 BRZ-L MT SWP Location: USA Posts: 168 Thanks: 45 Thanked 34 Times in 28 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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. __________________ Don't text while driving, everyone around you will appreciate you not endangering their lives.

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07-04-2012, 04:07 PM	#4
Zoomie Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: VW R32 Location: Here, sometimes there. Posts: 127 Thanks: 17 Thanked 45 Times in 18 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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.

07-04-2012, 04:11 PM	#5
Lonewolf Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Drives: Moped Location: CA Posts: 4,300 Thanks: 4,903 Thanked 2,130 Times in 1,195 Posts Mentioned: 21 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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 ). 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.

07-04-2012, 05:17 PM	#7
Draco-REX Corner Junkie Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 13 BRZ, 11 STI, 99 RS Location: Ohio Posts: 2,908 Thanks: 129 Thanked 1,520 Times in 702 Posts Mentioned: 11 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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.

07-04-2012, 06:11 PM	#8
Surok Wise old man Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 86 GTS Location: Sydney Posts: 1,003 Thanks: 999 Thanked 240 Times in 161 Posts Mentioned: 7 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Wheel locks are pretty pointless when 99% of people leave the lock key in the car, in the glovebox or in the toolkit..

07-04-2012, 06:50 PM	#9
#87 I usually post drunk Join Date: Oct 2009 Drives: BRZ Location: NY Posts: 1,487 Thanks: 15 Thanked 490 Times in 231 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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.

07-04-2012, 07:29 PM	#10
kappaknight Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Honda Fit Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 82 Thanks: 98 Thanked 37 Times in 17 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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. =)

07-04-2012, 07:32 PM	#11
#87 I usually post drunk Join Date: Oct 2009 Drives: BRZ Location: NY Posts: 1,487 Thanks: 15 Thanked 490 Times in 231 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	You could also ride a bicycle and REALLY mess with them.

07-04-2012, 10:52 PM	#14
Khyron686 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Drives: 2011 Outlander XLS, 2013 FR-S Blue Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 634 Thanks: 129 Thanked 168 Times in 102 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Gator grip! Locks don't matter - or a big drill.

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