Do wheel locks prevent theft or do thieves bypass them?

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May 6, 2025 at 5:42 pm #396 Reply
Jackie
I’m curious what you guys think of wheel locks. Do they really prevent theft of wheels, or do the thieves carry around wheel lock keys for them? Any pros or cons? [2015 Ford Escape with 85k miles]
May 6, 2025 at 5:43 pm #397 Reply
Melanie
It can definitely slow down thieves, but some of the aftermarket spline nuts are getting so common, it wouldn’t surprise me if experienced thieves keep a couple keys at hand. McGard wheel locks would be more difficult to remove, and they come in a LOT of different patterns, so they would be a better investment if you chose to go that route.
May 6, 2025 at 5:43 pm #398 Reply
Marianne
If they want your wheels, they will get them. It is a pain for the mechanic working on your car.
May 6, 2025 at 5:43 pm #399 Reply
Rex
Nobody wants your tires and mechanics hate wheel locks. If someone is going to steal your wheels, locks won’t stop them.
May 6, 2025 at 5:43 pm #400 Reply
Mistah
Use 2 different style locks and 3 regular nuts. The regular nuts should be 2 different sizes too. 21mm and 19mm or whatever is offered for your vehicle.
May 6, 2025 at 5:44 pm #401 Reply
Eric
In my opinion, wheel locks work. Thieves want to grab and go. This will slow them down considerably to where they will just move on.
May 6, 2025 at 5:44 pm #402 Reply
Richard
Never had a set of wheels stolen … ever. I did put a lock on my Wife’s Bronco’s spare just in case. Did a McGuard lock. I think it will deter, but if you have something they want, they’ll figure out a way.

Are you putting on some pricey wheels? Why do you feel this is necessary?
May 6, 2025 at 5:44 pm #403 Reply
Keith
They don’t slow down experienced thieves by one second. No wheel lock keys needed. A waste of money.
May 6, 2025 at 5:44 pm #404 Reply
Will
Shop lost my lock key when I took it in for tire rotation, bought an extractor set. Took maybe a minute more to remove them and replace them with the regular nuts.
May 6, 2025 at 5:45 pm #405 Reply
Mersch
You don’t even need a key, just hammer on an extractor and go. It’s exactly how I take off locks at the shop with no key. In my opinion, they are a complete waste of time.
May 6, 2025 at 5:45 pm #406 Reply
Orion
It’s all about location. Where are you parking it. You could use like 3 different type locks on each wheel might slow em down more, hopefully give up, just don’t loose the keys lol
May 6, 2025 at 5:46 pm #407 Reply
Sam
You don’t really hear of wheels being stolen anymore. Plus those Ford ones are crap so I’d strongly recommend getting rid of them before they break (and become impossible to get off).

Where I work, any Ford, Stellantis (Peugeot, Citroën etc.), or anything else with similar poorly designed locking nuts that gets traded in/bought from auction gets them replaced with 4 ordinary nuts
May 6, 2025 at 5:46 pm #408 Reply
JC Power
Easy to get off. The only people it hurts are the ones with a flat on the side of the road that can’t find the lug nut key.
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Do wheel locks prevent theft or do thieves bypass them?

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