locking wheel nuts

[1HandInMyPocket]

what exactly are these and are they recommended or is this like rust-proofing?

thanks
1Hand

 

[anon1]

You use one per wheel for security against theft of expensive aftermarket wheels and tires.
Not totally foolproof but a good deterent.

 

[C Dick]

They can not be removed with a regular wrench, it requires a special key, so they are harder to steal. But if you lose the key, you have a problem. I have them on my car.

 

[svtcobra]

They are good good deterrent, but not 100 effective. If a thief really wants your rims they will get it. I've seen a pro in person got all of these nuts off on all four of my rims within 1 min time frame.

 

[landscaper]

I have them as they came standard but I think it's kind of stupid. You have to have them in the car with you because otherwise if you get a flat you're screwed. Since you have them in the car with you their effectiveness is negligible since if their looking to steal your rims they'll probably go through the rest of the car looking for other valuable items too.

They work well to deter lazy thieves. A pro wount even slow down, if he does not have a key there are a variety of ways to remove them. You can get a better price after market than you can through a dealership

 

[james t kirk]

I don't think (maybe I'm wrong) that too many thieves are interested in stock wheels.

I had a set of wheel locks on my car. A thief broke in and stole my laptop, and a pile of other stuff, including a small tuperware container where I kept loose change in the consol for parking, etc. and the key for my locking wheels.

So he makes off with my key.

Now I have no way of getting my wheels off.

So I call a friend who is a mechanic who has the necessary tools to get the locking nuts off. It took more than a few minutes I can assure you. Plus he needed to use my compressor and an impact gun.

I also thought that he would have them off in no time flat, but it wasn't so easy. It was a series of tools, sockets, a hammer, and an impact gun. They did all spin off, but I could not see a thief bothering with this crap. Simpler just to steal the whole car using a tow truck.

BTW, I just put the stock nuts back on. Nobody is going to steel my stock wheels.

 

[blackmoon69]

if you are putting an expensive rims then you need a wheel lock but if it is just a standard rims its up to you if you wanted to put it or not. me i dont bother putting a wheel lock at all.