dumb question-are factory wheel locks good?

Hey folks,

basic question, are the factory black wheel locks PT276-35200-02 good? Or should I look for a different set? By 'good' I mean are the keys numbered so that I can order a replacement if lost (McGuard will let you do that), is the key to lock engagement solid?

Thanks in advance,

Brett

 

Yes, you can go to any dealer or wheel shop and they can be matched and ordered.

I've removed wheel locks from every car I've owned, I have a huge fear of not finding it or fumbling with it in the winter.

 

Yes when you order the kit is should include some paperwork with the key number and how to order a replacement. IMO they are not secure. I can get a full set off in under a minute. If they want your wheels they'll get them. I'm afraid the lugnuts will strip or lose the key. I'd pass.

 

I keep mine in an old pill container along with my portable air compressor & a pair of gloves. I use a surplus ammo container.

 

The way I see it, if anyone and his brother can buy the 'keys' on Amazon or eBay, are your wheels really secure with them?

 

All wheel locks are as good as the scumbag trying to override them. A pro will have that wheel lock off faster than you can say "are the factory wheel locks good?"

 

No thanks for me

 

The idea is the security is in how many different keys there are. There are 1000s of keys. What are the chances they have the right one. That doesn't stop targeted attacks though. Extractor sockets fit every key though .

 

they're fine in the regards stated.

but you should be aware that most mechanics(and criminals alike) specifically utilize snap-on's lifetime warranty for wheel locks, by beating a larger socket onto the 'lock' to the point of damaging the socket, and then removing the wheel. because they all get a flat rate to change the wheel, not extra time to deal with the dumb lock. a 10 minute talk with any mechanic would reveal that most people either don't know they have wheel locks, and/or most people don't have the key. it's to the point that most mechanics don't even bother checking for the key, they'd rather use the violent socket method to remove it and get on with their day.

wheel locks themselves really only present an irritation to everyone, and really only marginally drop the risk of wheel theft. in a whole dealer lot of the same trucks, with one truck having locks, and a dozen more without them, they have an advantage of extra hassle.

but on any individual street, where any crime ring has already selected your vehicle for it's wheels, they pose a minor added annoyance, but given the lesser availability of the same wheels in the area, it's an annoyance that's easily overcome, but with the added hassle of now damaging one of your lug nuts to get it off to steal the wheels they were stealing anyways.

i've never ran wheel locks on any of my vehicles. but i also always try to park them inside a garage to reduce the risk of theft. generally, things that can't be seen are least effected by theft, regardless of other preventative measures taken..

 

I took a car in for an oil change and tire rotation years ago. The guy at the lube place didn't bother looking in the glove box for the wheel lock adapter. Instead, he just broke them off without telling me.

Haven't bothered with wheel locks since then.

 

McGard makes wheel locks that have a spinning ring around the outside that is supposed to help thwart this type of attack, but unfortunately for whatever reason, they do not make one that fits the Toyota "mag" style lug nuts (so a Toyota dealer won't have them either).

You are correct that virtually nothing will stop a determined thief, but it will slow them down, which many times is enough to get them to pick an easier target.

If the key was available, that shop owed you a new set of locks.

 

I'm sure I could've gotten them replaced had i pushed the issue. But it was a long time ago and I guess I didn't care too much about it.

 

They seem to only hamper the owner that lost his key, thieves will zip em right off, and shops will too,,, with an adder to your bill.
In the end, it's highly unlikely someone steals stock wheels

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wheel-theft-psa.826986/

Might've been mostly Pro (or Pro-style) wheels... But still, stock wheels.

 

They will deter some thiefs, but not the better ones..... Better than nothing I always say.

Toyota's are prolly made by McGuard

 

Same with locking gas caps.

 

great example, Bro wheels in 'Cali'

 

Do thieves even take wheels anymore? What a low rent 1980s type of crime! Don't they just steal the whole fucking vehicle these days?

 

I have them...as well as the Locking Gas Cap.

The locking key is under the back seat in the packaging the locking lugs came in. (Where the OEM lugs are stored)

 

100% I would prefer not to run locks! I haven't for 3 years. Will be doing some traveling where I would appreciate the peace of mind. I have seen 3 vehicles with wheels stolen. One was a C class in a parking garage where I lived at the time. Also saw a Tesla on cinder blocks on the street. The folks I knew did not have wheel locks. Tesla I don't know. A buddy had stock wheels stolen from his Oldsmobile. The Taco is always in the garage at home and at work, but given some upcoming travels, I would like the locks. Sure it can be overridden but just looking for basic protection/deterrent so the would be moves on to the next. I also like recording the lock number and sometimes ordered an extra key (McGard does this). I never had an issue losing the key.