Spare Tire Lock ...does anyone know how it actually works...??

Put on a tire "theft deterrent" on today. Needed to hit it a few times to seat the star washer into the cup as others have stated. You would have to work pretty hard to get it out. Works well and no issue aligning the adapter with the end of the crank, easy. This is more of a deterrent than a lock, hopefully will help to push whomever it is onto the next vehicle. The 2022 has the flange that goes through the lug hole. Did not put on a lock as it would probably get filled with road grime and dust, rendering it locked forever.

 

What kind of deterrent/lock is that?

Came across this thread while trying to decide whether to have my dealership pre-install the OEM spare tire lock - they’ll do it just for cost of part, but I was torn on whether I wanted it. The deterrent seems wise as I often park on the street, but it sounds like the OEM lock could make it really tricky for me to remove the spare. Is it worth the $40 and hassle of fighting with it if I ever need the spare? Should I just put some kind of cable lock around it instead?

 

This is the toyota spare tire lock.
I found that it was very easy to use once installed. For a cable lock, my concern is the locking mechanism or key hole gets filled with road grime / road salt and I would never be able to unlock it. This could be just me as others have used a cable lock. If they want your spare, they will get it. Trying to make a deterrent

 

Read your manual......

 

Depends if you plan to keep the stock spare. With my aftermarket wheel, it's possible to reach through the spoke openings and turn the crank with pliers even with the spare lock installed, so it's now a hassle for me with no benefit. (You'd have to clip the key to the prop rod hook to lower the spare, then unclip it to run the jack.)

Cable or chain lock will be fine. But be sure to use a lock that's weather-hardened, with a shutter for the keyhole.

 

Pad lock a couple of links of chain, wrap the padlock in electrical tape to keep dirt out of it.