Almost had my wheels stolen this weekend

[ScottyBoy]

Judging from those pictures, they could have still gotten those wheels off. Either they were complete rookies, or else they were interrupted/scared off by someone or something.
Trust me, if a thief wants your wheels bad enough, NOTHING will stop him. But the more you have that will slow him down (wheel locks, an aftermarket alarm, etc) then they might move on to an easier target. Even with wheel locks, a thief can still get your wheels off, it will just take him longer. Many years ago, my brother almost had a set of wheels stolen. The thieves came prepared with 21mm deep 12point sockets, and hammered then on to the lock lugs. But my brother ran out on them and scared them off when the neighbors dog wouldn't stop barking, he knew something was going on out there. But the lazy ass police didn't even fingerprint anything. They just made a report and that's it.

 

[16blkltz]

Hmm. How do you know that they only have a few different keys?

http://www.gorilla-auto.com/replacement-keys-all

 

[Danny3737]

Back in the day, they used to spray freon on a locking lug and tap it with a hammer and the lock would shatter. Now they just use an oversized socket and an electric impact gun. If someone really wants your rims, they will get them. The best you can do is slow them down.
It never hurts to etch an identitifing mark on the back of the rims to prove they are yours if they are ever stolen then recovered.

A "This vehicle is protected by Smith & Wesson" decal may make them think twice before targeting your car

 

[16blkltz]

http://www.gorilla-auto.com/replacement-keys-all

I just noticed something I missed yesterday:

 

[iamdub]

http://www.gorilla-auto.com/replacement-keys-all

Those are different sizes for the various sizes of lugs. The spline patterns are what's unique and what is randomized.

 

[intheburbs]

A "This vehicle is protected by Smith & Wesson" decal may make them think twice before targeting your car

Or, it could make you a much more likely candidate for a smash and grab, with the thief thinking they're likely to score a gun. I think those signs are amusing, but the last thing I'm going to do is advertise that I'm a gun owner. I'm always carrying, and I'm also a firearms instructor. I have nothing on any of my vehicles that identifies me as such.

 

[05Single]

Thats crazy. Got lucky they were interrupted. Time to spend $ on locks. Better than $$$ on new wheels and tires. Unless insurance would cover it. Also glad you didn't drive off and possible get hurt or killed, scary.

 

[fiatdale]

The way these guys typically work is two teams. One goes around and rips all the lugs off then a second comes, jacks and takes the wheels. Team 2 never showed up. It's happened to me and we see it all the time in the shop, probably 7 a week come in. Best thing you can do is have GOOD insurance. No locking lug will stop a thief. If it gives you peace of mind, great but I'm telling you, it's so easy to rip lugs off it's not even funny. Hell we have to do it ourselves when we have to remove a wheel and the customer has no idea where the key is. Takes seconds. Save your money on the lugs and have good insurance.

 

[swathdiver]

I prefer deterrence to using my great insurance. Wheel locks may deter a thief from steeling my wheels to steeling yours since yours will take less time to remove and probably look nicer.

During my time in the tire business, we were busting those McGard locks off nearly every day, always one per wheel. To this day I've never seen another car with Gorilla locks other mine own.

 

[2016YUKONSLT]

Why didn't your stock wheels come with locking lug nuts? I know my 20's did from GMC.