How do you prevent wheel/ tire theft?

Post by **JimBee** » 14 May 2019, 09:15

I'm putting new tires on a car that I park on the alley, so it might be vulnerable. My main concern isn't the tires, but the wheels, which are aluminum's off an XC, replacements would be hard to find.

I've seen some specialty lug nuts. I'm wondering what forum members use.

WhatAmIDoing · Post by **WhatAmIDoing** » 14 May 2019, 19:10

The best method is to park in a secured garage or somewhere well lit and public. It's easy to get lug keys, or in some cases just forces keyed lugs off. If some one really wants your wheels, there really isn't much you can do about it if you park your car outside.

callahanoffroad · Post by **callahanoffroad** » 14 May 2019, 20:24

I've never lived in an area where this is an issue. I know they make fancy lugs, but I'm not convinced they work. Maybe a car alarm and some cameras on the car? Maybe you could electrify one of the lugs on each wheel. I did see once a flamethrower alarm system...

Post by **JimBee** » 14 May 2019, 21:41

I have a night vision camera I'm going to install that targets that area. A sign that the camera is watching might help. Parking inside is not an option. Previously, there has been some vandalism, I think mainly intended for the neighbors for political reasons. My car was close by so they got me too. That seems to have been resolved and there hasn't been a problem in the last few years. I'll just install the camera, put up a sign and hopefully have no problems.

Post by **j-dawg** » 14 May 2019, 22:34

Wheel locks won't stop someone who really wants *your* wheels, but nobody's cruising the streets looking for wheels off a 20 year old Volvo. Theft of non-flashy wheels is theft of opportunity. You know what they say - you don't have to be able to outrun the bear, you just have to be able to outrun your camping buddies. Get the locking bolts. The best you can do is to be better-protected than 95% of the other cars in the alley.

For what it's worth, a former colleague left his house one morning to find four lug nuts removed and a wheel lock alone holding a wheel to his Honda Fit.

callahanoffroad · Post by **callahanoffroad** » 15 May 2019, 06:07

I'd like to add that a marine corps bumper sticker tends to send a "I'll shoot you if you mess with me" vibe. Kind of like how a fake video camera or "area under video surveillance" sign works. I still like the flamethrower...

Post by **DeadEric** » 15 May 2019, 07:19

As a guy that takes wheels off cars on the regular, I hate wheel locks. Mostly because people don't know where they keep their lock key³, if it's missing we're the ones that lost it and no one wants to pay $20 a wheel to get the locks off.

If you get wheel locks and bring your car in for a service, hand the guy at the counter your wheel lock key and make sure you get it back when you're done.

That said, the hardest ones to get off are the newer VW style. Circle with a pattern inside and a slip ring on the outside of the circle. The easiest way to get lockers off is to pound on a socket about the same size and use the friction to take them off. The slip ring let's the socket spin freely around the lug stud making them harder to get off.

tardcart · Post by **tardcart** » 15 May 2019, 09:54

If you take your car to STS tire and ask them to rotate the tires, they will put the lugs on with a big air gun, if the bolts don't break no one will be able to get those lugs off unless they have 190 psi and a 3/4" impact. most customers find this out when they have a flat on the side of the road.

Post by **regent** » 15 May 2019, 11:02

A friend of mine uses a non-destructive theft-deterrent approach (as opposed to the aforementioned ‘STS method’):

He always leaves a large photo of his mother in law on the pass. seat.
Zero problems.

wooshuck · Post by **wooshuck** » 22 May 2019, 12:10

j-dawg wrote: ↑14 May 2019, 22:34 Wheel locks won't stop someone who really wants *your* wheels, but nobody's cruising the streets looking for wheels off a 20 year old Volvo. Theft of non-flashy wheels is theft of opportunity. You know what they say - you don't have to be able to outrun the bear, you just have to be able to outrun your camping buddies. Get the locking bolts. The best you can do is to be better-protected than 95% of the other cars in the alley.

For what it's worth, a former colleague left his house one morning to find four lug nuts removed and a wheel lock alone holding a wheel to his Honda Fit.

May I ask where you live?