Do you use wheel locks?

[Getareellife]

Thinking about getting Mcgard wheel locks but have never had a pair on another car.
I feel like the spare may be attractive to thieves, but am not sure if anyone would try to steal the actual wheels on the truck because of how heavy it is.
Do you use wheel locks on the spare? All 5 wheels?

On all 5. Recently had my wheels rotated at dealer. Was somewhat encouraged by my lock choice when the Ford Mechanic had to ask me for the socket. So I would say for the $100 or so not a guaranteed theft prevention but certainly worth the deterrent value.

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[SeptuagenerianSasquatch]

The only weird part was, this time around they didn't give me the 5 lugs they took off.

As far as protection, I think it's just peace of mind from idiots.

Just keep the lock key handy when you need to drop a tire.

I'd ask the dealer for 5 replacement lugnuts. They're cheap, and the service manager would create some small bit of goodwill by just having the parts guy give them out.

You could keep those spare lug nuts with the lock key with your jack and tools, so you always have them and know where they are. In regards to a thread on oilpan plugs, I'm getting the Ronin plug, which has a a separate insert for draining. I'll keep that little, very lose-able, thing, with my Advance Lock key, since I'll need it for tire rotation when I change my oil. My larger point is to keep small essentials in a logical place so you know where to look for them, even with my senior moments.

A last point, @DriveAllNight, thieves come in all types, from amateurs, idiots, opportunists, semi-adequate pros and very skilled pros. The more 1) exposure (lighting, visibility, surveillance) 2) complexity (required tools and skills) and 3) time a thief needs, the better. So a quality, superior-to-OEM and Autozone product you use, the better. Even a skilled pro (solo or crew) might look at my Advance Lock on my spare and say, "It's not worth it..."

 

[AZ_Liberty]

I'm far more worried about catalytic converter theft myself.

 

[BlueWaffle]

Weight is not a deterrent... watched a guy steal the 6500watt generator off of our work truck years back.. dude literally just tossed it up onto his shoulder and casually disappeared into the night..

 

[BlueWaffle]

I'm far more worried about catalytic converter theft myself.

One more reason to love the 2.3.. good luck hacking that cat out..

 

[CalvinT]

Recently had my wheels rotated at dealer. Was somewhat encouraged by my lock choice when the Ford Mechanic had to ask me for the socket.

I only have locks on my spare. I'll put the stock lugnuts on when I take it in for wheel rotation. Don't want to use an impact driver on the key.

 

[AK007]

Advanced Wheel Locks on all 5.

 

[I_Fly]

I laughed at the dealer for insisting on the locks. Especially when they failed to put a long on the easiest one to get. The spare. Although someone may want the tire, I'm not too worried about my Black Diamond steel wheels. If I ever upgrade, I might get some locks. As many have said they are no guarantee against a determined thief.

 

[Dreamer]

Thought this review was worth sharing.

 

[BillTheCat]

Makes ya wonder when you see one SAS spare for sale

 

[OldMetal]

I use the McGard but after watching two different YouTube videos posted on a recent thread about wheels locks I realize how truly worthless they are. I’ll be switching to Advanced Wheel locks soon.

I went with Advanced Wheel Locks after researching and wathcing too many videos. No complaints and I sttill have all 5 wheels!

 

[Texasliam]

after reading a bunch I bought these. And there’s discussion on. 6g about them. But basicly they are uniquely keyed. And reach hard to get off.
https://advancedlocks.com/

 

[rdg04578]

since I never lock it or take the keys out wheel locks probably wouldn't do much---guess I'll pass on the wheel locks--lol

 

[SierraBronco]

Search for wheel locks on Amazon. One of the results will be a kit with like 25 different keys. After seeing that it just didn’t seem worth the hassle.

 

[stampede1]

I don't personally, locks will keep an honest person at bay but Google how quickly a real thief can get wheel locks off.

If a person is honest, they don't need to be kept "at bay" because they don't steal things in the first place. However, as you accurately pointed out, locked wheels can be stolen quickly and efficiently by a pro with the right equipment and opportunity. However, I believe that most wheel locks are not meant for the pro thieves, but rather the amateurs that can be dissuaded or defeated by quality locks-most thieves are not top tier experts but rather opportunists for which locks provide a worthy deterrent.

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