Wheel locks can prevent wheel theft for vehicles with high risk. These installations may help give you peace of mind if you find yourself worried about tire theft.
Steering wheel locks
Visible anti-theft measures like a steering wheel lock tell thieves that your car will be difficult to take without a lot of noise and effort. More often than not, they'll move on to an easier score.
A wheel clamp won't stop a vehicle from being crane-lifted onto a trailer by more determined (and organised) thieves. It is possible to remove wheel clamps but only with specialist power tools and a lot of noise and time.
Without your wheel lock key, the tire, rim, and wheel cannot be easily removed. Wheel locks only protect against the theft of tires, wheels, and rims. They do not protect against car theft.
Protect Your Ride
Visible devices create a visual threat/warning/deterrence, such as the use of steering-wheel locks, as well as theft-deterrent decals, flashing lights, and window etching. Immobilizing-Type Devices: These prevent thieves from bypassing a vehicle's ignition system and hot-wiring the vehicle.
Are locking wheel nuts necessary? Strictly speaking, a locking wheel nut isn't 100% necessary if your only concern is keeping your wheels securely attached to your car. However, as a locking wheel nut makes it much harder for thieves to remove the wheels from your car, they do provide extra security and peace of mind.
If you're worried about wheel theft, there are ways to protect them — probably simpler than you might think. While they may not stop every criminal, a basic set of wheel locks can go a long way toward making sure your valuable wheels and tires stay right where you left them.
On average, 950 complete sets of wheels are stolen from US households, every single day.
A steering wheel lock is a simple yet effective tool to protect your vehicle. It is a visual deterrent that adds an extra layer of security to your pride and joy.
You might wonder why a thief would take a steering wheel, but it's what's inside they're really after. We understand that they're being stolen for the airbags housed inside them.
Thieves put cars on blocks when they steal the wheels because it makes it easier and faster for them to remove the wheels from the car. By lifting the car with a jack or blocks, they can access the lug nuts or bolts that hold the wheels in place and remove them more quickly than if the car were on the ground.
Install an audible alarm system and anti-theft device
Visible devices, such as a steering wheel lock, window etching or an alarm system's flashing light, may also be enough to deter a car thief, according to the NHTSA.
Wheel clamps for caravans, for instance, can provide peace of mind and protect a valuable asset for a relatively small cost. The value of wheel clamps is two-fold. Firstly, they're a highly-visible deterrent, and secondly, they're an extremely effective immobiliser which can be fitted in as little as 15 seconds.
Visit Your Mechanic or a Tire Shop
In their line of work, missing wheel lock keys are a regular occurrence, and they will likely either have a key that fits your lock, or be able to use a removal tool to safely and quickly spin off the locks. But be prepared to replace your locks if they're removed this way.
Some vehicles do include an “AWD Lock” button. This button will lock the system into 50/50 distribution of power between the front and rear wheels. However, it typically only works at low speeds and is meant for situations like getting out when parked in the snow.
Disadvantages of Lock Nut
One disadvantage of lock nuts is that they can be difficult to remove once they have been tightened. This is because the groove or thread on the inside can grip the bolt or screw very tightly. Additionally, lock nuts are only sometimes reusable once they have been removed.
Locking nuts are sold with a code, so owners can order a new key from the maker. If you don't have the code, garages have tools able to remove most nuts. Breakdown organisations such as the AA and RAC can also usually help.
Locking wheel nuts fail – fact!
They sometimes snap, which is both annoying and inconvenient, especially if this happens more than once.
Cars with keyless entry unlock automatically when the key fob comes within a short-range distance of the car. Keyless theft, also known as 'relay theft', occurs when device is used to fool the car into thinking the car's own remote key fob is close by; this unlocks the car and allows the ignition to be started.
Sometimes thieves mark cars to steal and sell on for parts. They simply use a marker pen to mark the car. There are also reports of criminals pushing in wing-mirrors to further draw attention to the car. They might even try to gain access to the car if the driver gets out to readjust the mirror.
Despite seeing a general downward trend since 1990, car theft increased over the last couple of years. As automobiles become more advanced, the same systems designed to offer both protection and convenience for owners have proven in some cases to offer new opportunities for thieves.
According to multiple class-action lawsuits filed last year, 2011-2021 model year Kias and Hyundais without immobilizers—identifiable by their keyed ignitions—are prime targets. Owners with push-button start needn't worry so much, as their vehicles came standard with this theft-prevention measure.