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GM's Hi -Security wheel locks are worth the extra $20 or so. They will spin if someone hammers a socket over them. I perfer having some extra deterent, rather than find my disc rotors sitting on the pavement.
As far as jacking up the car, do you think they care where they put the jack? The damage they will cause lifting up the car. They use $60 portable (30lb) low profile jacks with a starting height of 3.5" that easily slides under the Vette. Watch some videos of thieves caught on camera jacking up cars and stealing rims or catylitic converters, maybe those Hi security wheel locks may not stop all thieves, but will deter most.
Just like the guy who changes his oil every 500 miles thinks that’s the secret of success, it’s totally unnecessary.
Thieves don’t know nor care if you have a “high security” wheel lock as the first step is to get the key which you do by smashing a window. If alarm goes off you move on. If not, then open glovebox and get key.
I used to think I knew how a thief thought until my wheels got stolen and I realized they’re not really sober people who care. It’s smash and grab.
She had a new Firebird with security lugs. Took the car to have a nail hole plugged. Discount did it for free. 6 months later, took it to the dealer for a recall on the brakes. They called where is the lug nut key? Its in the trunk. Looked isn't there. Hmm? They broke two studs hammering a socket on. Then charged us for damaging the socket. And we will never buy them again. Been better to have the wheels stolen. Insurance would have covered that.
Seems like the driver is about 50% at fault for not making sure she got the key back....
Just like the guy who changes his oil every 500 miles thinks that’s the secret of success, it’s totally unnecessary.
Thieves don’t know nor care if you have a “high security” wheel lock as the first step is to get the key which you do by smashing a window. If alarm goes off you move on. If not, then open glovebox and get key.
I used to think I knew how a thief thought until my wheels got stolen and I realized they’re not really sober people who care. It’s smash and grab.
I have been fortunate because 45 years of owning vehicles with wheel locks and no broken glass in attempt to grab a key or stolen rims. I'll go what works for me. Sorry about your rims getting stolen.
I have Advanced on my Vette. They have doubled in price since I bought them for my ATS-V a few years ago. McGard makes a really nice set with an aluminum slip ring tgat defeats the guy who hammers a socket over it. They are very functional and <1/4 the price of Advanced. They are only sold in Europe and you can get them from Amazon UK. If you buy Advanced, spring for the extra key. The key barrel is very thin and brittle and breaks very easily with any off-axis torque. Then you are stuck. This is the biggest probIem with Advanced. They know about it, and are now saying on their website that you can use an air-wrench because the key is so solid. True you can use the air wrench, but if you use a hand wrench and there is any off axis force on the key, it will break. You have to be very careful with a hand wrench. It is not what you are when you have a flat at night. I speak from experience. These McGards are very good and a way better deal. The key is way stronger and won’t break leaving you stranded.
Last edited by Tuckermaclain; Dec 3, 2021 at 08:58 PM.
I had the regular GM locking lugs. I took them off due to the reasons @Majestic94 pointed out above. I decided they really were not worth the hassle to me.
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I'm not a big fan of wheel locks and have not had them on any of my Corvettes. Never had a problem with thiefs either - knock on wood. If having locks on the wheels makes you feel better about the security on the car, go with a good brand.
I have been fortunate because 45 years of owning vehicles with wheel locks and no broken glass in attempt to grab a key or stolen rims. I'll go what works for me. Sorry about your rims getting stolen.
Most people don’t get their wheels stolen regardless of what lugs are on their wheel. I’m not saying it is or isn’t a deterrent, (mine obviously wasn’t) but what they actually do if they want your wheels.
it’s just a reminder when shopping for an undefeatable wheel lock the thief plans on using your key anyway. Wheel locks are more of a hassle for the owner than it is the thief.
I bought a Mustang used and it came with wheel locks (that I later removed ) and the inside paint on each of the lug recesses around the wheel locks were gouged by some tool somebody used to install them as the clearance was much tighter than the normal lugs. I just find the whole thing not worth it.
I have always had locking lug nuts on my C5, C6 and C7. Now I am looking for experiences/suggestions for locking lug nuts for my C8.
Thanks
Yep have done the same for my 2 C4s, C6, 2s C7 and my C8! Read though this Thread and the usual NOT NEEDED and that's there opinion and choice. I've had them on my Vettes, my S-10 Truck, custom wheels on other cars and the wife's BMW SUVs (including her current 2021) came with them.
The one thing I didn't see mentioned is GM sells McGard. There was some confusion when I bought my part number 24215 and they work fine. (I did check with McGard before I purchased.) I had a bad experience with Gorilla locks some years ago and have never had an issue with McGard. I keep the key in the tool bag in my Frunk. Just checked Amazon and a bit more than I paid for my 2020 but far cheaper then buying from GM.
Also have zero issues torqueing to the 140 ft-lbs required. Their captive socket helps keep the puzzle lock square, which is important.
Old pic so prices are not current. #24215 fit fine.
^^^
Yep, typical theif method of having car lifted enough to remove wheels. Cheap concrete block or large rock for jack stand! Lifting damage is often worse than wheel/tire cost!
So I guess it's really hard to find a place to hide the key so no one can find it. A thief really wants to spend time looking for a key.
Most keep it in the glovebox. It’s not like there’s a lot of places to stash it in a 2 seater car. Either way a thief would have smashed the window looking for it. . Even if successfully hidden, you still got a smashed window.
Bonus if they take your wheels, as insurance pays top dollar for stock wheels that you can get a lot of aftermarket wheel options with. A smashed window you just get a new OEM window on back order while you drive around with garbage bag for a window for the next 3 months.
I made the mistake once of locking my Jeep’s glovebox. I had some kid do more damage trying to break into my glovebox then the owners manual I locked up was even worth. Sometimes it’s best to just not have nice things in bad neighborhoods.
I really have a hard time following this logic. Look at the cars with their wheels stolen. A broken window is negligible compared to the damage done to the car by improper yacking, dropping it on stones and then the hassle of getting new wheels & tires. A window can be replaced in an hour. Get real.
I really have a hard time following this logic. Look at the cars with their wheels stolen. A broken window is negligible compared to the damage done to the car by improper yacking, dropping it on stones and then the hassle of getting new wheels & tires. A window can be replaced in an hour. Get real.
I tend to agree in that case. However, you need to look at the likelihood of having your wheels stolen and the likelihood of locking lug nuts preventing the theft.
If you live in an area where wheel theft is common and you have high value wheels the locking lug nuts may be worth the hassle.
Where I live the cars are usually broken into to take things in the interior of the car, take the car a joyride, or theft of the car itself. I can't remember the last time I saw a car sitting on blocks unless it was in a bad neighborhood. I don't think thieves think wheels & tires theft is worth the effort compared to other easier targets.
Catalytic converters thefts are what I see on the news all the time.
I mean, what are C8 Corvette wheels good for than other C8 Corvettes? And is there a big market for OEM wheels?
I really have a hard time following this logic. Look at the cars with their wheels stolen. A broken window is negligible compared to the damage done to the car by improper yacking, dropping it on stones and then the hassle of getting new wheels & tires. A window can be replaced in an hour. Get real.
Except your window is on a 5 month back order, and they took a tire iron to your glovebox and center console looking for the key. Point is wheel thieves don’t care about the rest of your car either. You’re assuming there’s a place where they draw the line.
You’re basically going to Google and typing in “bad things that have ever happened to C8’s” and then trying to justify a problem you may or may not have.
If you live or work in a shady neighborhood where you commonly see cars with stolen wheels as a common occurrence and your C8 is way out of place, then maybe this is actually something you need to worry about it maybe you need a car that draws less attention.
