Wheels locks??
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 831
Likes: 214
From: WESTERN NEW YORK
Wheels locks??
I have been considering purchasing a set of wheel locks for my 2015 Z51...any experiences, recommendations or opinions?. I dont really ever park my Vette where it's a security risk...but ya' never know...just for piece of mind I guess.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 268
Likes: 10
From: Cape Cod MA
My recommendation:
Do not forget to take the wheel lock adapter off of the lug nut when you are finished torquing. (I was swapping from winter to summer wheels.)
I learned this lesson the hard way, lol. Now the only way to get my wheels off is on the side of the highway somewhere....
Do not forget to take the wheel lock adapter off of the lug nut when you are finished torquing. (I was swapping from winter to summer wheels.)
I learned this lesson the hard way, lol. Now the only way to get my wheels off is on the side of the highway somewhere....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,387
Likes: 150
From: Texas
I had them on my Corvette rims/wheels and the wheel lock key got misplaced. I got a flat and Discount Tires had a tool that took the locking nuts off in about a minute. The manager said a crook will get the rims off quickly if they want to steal your tires and rims as they can get this tool they used too. I didn't replace the gorilla locks because of what the Discount Tire manager said ( and I found the misplaced original key after the fact) Just my two cents..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,648
Likes: 2,933
From: NW Indiana
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '24
I bought these but have not put them on yet. Had them on a prior car. Each lug needs the key to remove. Will it stop them, no, but it may slow them down a bit. Some who have used them said they can rust. Mine is a summer only so never had a problem, but if in year round climate they can rust a little toward the back.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 73
From: Texas
Personally, I like the McGard locks I have.
Yes, a professional thief can still take you down in a hurry, not so likely with some teenage dolt amateur.
Don’t park in nasty areas and the professional isn’t likely to get you. Don
Yes, a professional thief can still take you down in a hurry, not so likely with some teenage dolt amateur.
Don’t park in nasty areas and the professional isn’t likely to get you. Don
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 35,761
Likes: 148
From: Northern NYs Adirondack Mountains,http://www.visitsacandaga.com.
If you know what you’re doing you can get those lugs off about as fast without the key.
Buy them if it makes you feel better.
Your best defense is to try to get a good safe parking spot if you’re away from your house (I’m assuming your car is safe at your house, most people that I know park in a garage)
Buy them if it makes you feel better.
Your best defense is to try to get a good safe parking spot if you’re away from your house (I’m assuming your car is safe at your house, most people that I know park in a garage)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
What part number do you have? I had 24137 (M12 x 1.5) on my C6 and presume this also works on the C7 wheels. I also wonder if locks are necessary if you have the Advanced Theft Deterrent System that's standard in the 2LT and 3LT. It has an inclination sensor that I assume would trip the alarm if the car is jacked up.
Last edited by iclick; Apr 23, 2015 at 10:54 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 73
From: Texas
What part number do you have? I had 24137 (M12 x 1.5) on my C6 and presume this also works on the C7 wheels. I also wonder if locks are necessary if you have the Advanced Theft Deterrent System that's standard in the 2LT and 3LT. It has an inclination sensor that I assume would trip the alarm if the car is jacked up.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Wheel locks don't have much purpose. Real thieves can get them off just as quickly as not having them at all. Random teenagers will steal your sunglasses off the passenger seat if you leave teh windows down, but they aren't walking around with a jack and blocks to steal wheels.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 190
Amazon.com: Gorilla Automotive 71633N "The System" Acorn Wheel Locks (12mm x 1.50 Thread Size) - For 5 Lug Wheels: Automotive
I bought these but have not put them on yet. Had them on a prior car. Each lug needs the key to remove. Will it stop them, no, but it may slow them down a bit. Some who have used them said they can rust. Mine is a summer only so never had a problem, but if in year round climate they can rust a little toward the back.
I bought these but have not put them on yet. Had them on a prior car. Each lug needs the key to remove. Will it stop them, no, but it may slow them down a bit. Some who have used them said they can rust. Mine is a summer only so never had a problem, but if in year round climate they can rust a little toward the back.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 831
Likes: 214
From: WESTERN NEW YORK
Thank you all for your input...it's good to get your opinions and experiences from fellow Corvette owners. That is one reason why this site is so important to the dedicated Corvette owner. I think I'll go with the Mc Gard wheel locks and keep their business local. If not for security...but for piece of mind...also I'll try to purchase an extra "key' ..just in case.
Thanks again for you help everyone.
Thanks again for you help everyone.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,941
Likes: 499
From: Northern Virginia
Thank you all for your input...it's good to get your opinions and experiences from fellow Corvette owners. That is one reason why this site is so important to the dedicated Corvette owner. I think I'll go with the Mc Gard wheel locks and keep their business local. If not for security...but for piece of mind...also I'll try to purchase an extra "key' ..just in case.
Thanks again for you help everyone.
Thanks again for you help everyone.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,162
Likes: 114
From: Prosper, TX
The reality is that most people aren't pro's and will move on to an easier target. Nothing out there will stop a determined individual, but these aren't the people you're protecting against.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,269
Likes: 8,544
From: Rochester, NY
By this rationale, you should also leave your car unlocked. It won't deter a pro thief and probably **** off a thug and just have them break your window to get into your car. Do you lock your house when you leave? Won't deter a pro.
The reality is that most people aren't pro's and will move on to an easier target. Nothing out there will stop a determined individual, but these aren't the people you're protecting against.
The reality is that most people aren't pro's and will move on to an easier target. Nothing out there will stop a determined individual, but these aren't the people you're protecting against.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,147
Likes: 107
From: Cherry Hill PRNJ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,439
Likes: 590
From: Tellico Plains Tennessee
OK, looks like we have two camps here, the ones who say they want the locks to stop a thief and those who say a thief can defeat the locks in seconds. Both of you are right. True, the pro thief knows about the tool used to defeat the locks and has one. True, the crack head can barely operate a jack so the locks will keep the wheels on forever. Which guy will attack your car?
I think its better to look at the locks as a layer of protection. Not perfect but a layer just the same, one an owner might want. Consider this, why put Xpel on your car? A good sized rock will cut right through it and gouge your paint. Because its a layer of protection. Why spend time and money putting wax and sealers on your paint? Bird poop, acid rain, and bug guts will eat through it anyway and damage your paint. Because its a layer of protection. Why add a catch can? GM didn't think it needed one? Because its a layer of protection. The door locks, gas door lock, security system, valet mode, backup camera, all are layers of protection in one way or another.
Woa, sorry... need to try decaf..
I think its better to look at the locks as a layer of protection. Not perfect but a layer just the same, one an owner might want. Consider this, why put Xpel on your car? A good sized rock will cut right through it and gouge your paint. Because its a layer of protection. Why spend time and money putting wax and sealers on your paint? Bird poop, acid rain, and bug guts will eat through it anyway and damage your paint. Because its a layer of protection. Why add a catch can? GM didn't think it needed one? Because its a layer of protection. The door locks, gas door lock, security system, valet mode, backup camera, all are layers of protection in one way or another.
Woa, sorry... need to try decaf..