Wheel locks? Opinions wanted
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,864
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From: Stuck in Paradise
Wheel locks? Opinions wanted
My 03 does not have wheel locks and since I’ll be leaving it in a parking lot over night, I thought I would get some locks.
After reading through some posts, it appears that the only thing the locks are good for is keeping the owner from getting his wheels off. Thieves don’t seem to have an issue with them.
Is there a lock that’s worth buying or should I just not bother?
After reading through some posts, it appears that the only thing the locks are good for is keeping the owner from getting his wheels off. Thieves don’t seem to have an issue with them.
Is there a lock that’s worth buying or should I just not bother?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: Livingston NJ
They came on my car and I took em off. I always thought they are kinda a pain, on the other hand I have stock wheels, not as much to loose.
I was thinking of getting a better set, the stock ones kinda sucked. Even though they are easily defeated, if it stops the guy headed for your wheels, its money well spent.
I was thinking of getting a better set, the stock ones kinda sucked. Even though they are easily defeated, if it stops the guy headed for your wheels, its money well spent.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 0
From: Oil Country
Same here. Bought some I-forged wheels and the Gorilla lock system. I know a good thief can still steal them but it will take a while.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
But if I am going to lose my wheels, I would at least take some satisfaction in knowing I was not done in by a total amateur.Also, if nothing else, it may slow them down - the longer it takes the better the chance of getting caught.
If they steal the whole car, wheels will be the least of my problems.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 3
From: Florida
I have a friend with a tire shop and I can account for how easy it is to remove lock nuts. However, I have locks on each of my wheels. I figure that not every idiot no good thief has the really simple tool required to remove them.
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I use Gorilla's (triple black chrome), good stuff! 
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,864
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From: Stuck in Paradise
I guess that settles it, I have stock anniversary wheels, not a big target but there is only one place to get them.
I'll put locks on, will a good tire shop have a selection? Those Gorilla locks sound nice, maybe a little over kill for me though.
I'll put locks on, will a good tire shop have a selection? Those Gorilla locks sound nice, maybe a little over kill for me though.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 2
From: Titusville FL
As soon as I could I bought a full set (20) of Gorilla locking lug nuts. Need the key for each lug.
As it has be mentioned, not every idiot thief has the tool nor the time to steal wheels where every lug is a locking lug. I think it is cheap insurance.
As it has be mentioned, not every idiot thief has the tool nor the time to steal wheels where every lug is a locking lug. I think it is cheap insurance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,137
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From: Orlando, Florida
An alternative is the McGard locks.....
http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/c6index.html
Go to "wheel locks" page.
http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/c6index.html
Go to "wheel locks" page.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,654
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From: Silver Spring MD
I have just one lock on my HRE's, but I rarely leave the car in a parking lot, and never in one overnight, so the chances of them getting lifted is rather slim... Plus the security system on my garage is pretty good so I'm not too worried, the Gorilla lugs do sound nice though, but I wonder how much of a PITA they will be to remove since I take my wheels off a lot to clean...
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I've always used GORILLA locks and locking lug nuts. They're available from site supporting vendors, or DISCOUNT TIRE or SUMMIT RACING.
Buy a set with one lock or buy a set with all locking lug nuts. The idea is not to make it easy on a thief to steal your property. You're layering your protection...insurance, park in a well lighted area, lock the doors, windows up, alarm activated and locking lug nuts.
If your car has locking lug nuts and another car in the vicinity doesn't, which car do you think the thief will be more attracted to?
I've interviewed hundreds of thieves/burglars/robbers over the years and asked them why they picked a particular person, house, store, car, etc. They all said basically the same thing...the victim made it easy for them and/or the opportunity presented itself w/o much chance of being caught in the act.
If you don't want to use locking lug nuts for whatever reason, that's your choice. But, with the same logic that "a thief will take them if the thief wants them bad enough", consider leaving your car doors unlocked and your house/motel door open...
Buy a set with one lock or buy a set with all locking lug nuts. The idea is not to make it easy on a thief to steal your property. You're layering your protection...insurance, park in a well lighted area, lock the doors, windows up, alarm activated and locking lug nuts.
If your car has locking lug nuts and another car in the vicinity doesn't, which car do you think the thief will be more attracted to?
I've interviewed hundreds of thieves/burglars/robbers over the years and asked them why they picked a particular person, house, store, car, etc. They all said basically the same thing...the victim made it easy for them and/or the opportunity presented itself w/o much chance of being caught in the act.
If you don't want to use locking lug nuts for whatever reason, that's your choice. But, with the same logic that "a thief will take them if the thief wants them bad enough", consider leaving your car doors unlocked and your house/motel door open...
Last edited by hotwheels57; Apr 29, 2008 at 05:22 PM.
