Best chances of preventing wheel theft?

[Bru]

I know wheel locks can be a joke and won't stop a determined thief, "Keeps honest people honest" or whatever. But we have a company car 2015 Honda Fit that after a week had its front wheel stolen - a colleague disrupted their attempt at the remaining three.

The Fit wheels seem to be in high demand as another colleague had her Fit Sport's wheels stolen, and the Honda dealer said Fit wheels are very often swiped.

I had the dealer install a set of accessory wheel locks, but what else can I do? Put a different wheel lock on each lug? The car has no choice but to stay outside on the street in the city. Are any wheel locks better than the other? I've been researching the Gorilla locks but they seem as easily defeat-able as any other wheel lock.

I'm debating buying a set of steel wheels for the thing.

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[Mook]

Wtf are so special about Fit rims?

 

[Bru]

No clue. My guess is that they fit a ton of Civics and are relatively lightweight, good-looking 16-inch alloys.

 

[Outlaw]

Different wheel locks won't make a ton of difference. They're not likely using a key, but, rather a special socket that is used to remove wheel locks when the key is damaged or lost... Those sockets are pretty widely available, which, makes wheel locks an absolute joke to me.

 

[Outlaw]

Your best bet is probably a fairly sensitive aftermarket alarm system.

 

[SinisterSHO]

Weld the lug nuts on

 

[Bru]

It seems most wheel locks can be defeated with a socket and a hammer.

 

[Outlaw]

It seems most wheel locks can be defeated with a socket and a hammer.

Precisely. I used to have to remove them all the time with that trick at Just Tires when someone would buy a car and not know where the key is, or, having lost it.

 

[Bru]

I'm going to etch a giant penis in each wheel.

 

[Outlaw]

That's actually not a bad idea... Not necessarily a penis, but, at least some kind of marking that will deter theft and at least signify that the wheels are yours if they ever end up on the JDMslutlist Facebook page for the low.

I'm assuming this is a test car, and, you're not overly concerned with the appearance of the wheels. Moreso the reliability/durability of the car on a long term test.

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

Park an evo/honda nearby with the keys in it

 

[Bru]

That's actually not a bad idea... Not necessarily a penis, but, at least some kind of marking that will deter theft and at least signify that the wheels are yours if they ever end up on the JDMslutlist Facebook page for the low.

I'm assuming this is a test car, and, you're not overly concerned with the appearance of the wheels. Moreso the reliability/durability of the car on a long term test.

My only concern is resale value. We buy our long-term test cars and sell them at the end of a year-long test.

I might get four locks for each lug and a security system. I'm guessing a whack of a hammer on a lug or jacking up the car is enough to set off an alarm. At my place, anyway, I can immediately turn on the outside flood light to the street.

 

[Outlaw]

My only concern is resale value. We buy our long-term test cars and sell them at the end of a year-long test.

I might get four locks for each lug and a security system. I'm guessing a whack of a hammer on a lug or jacking up the car is enough to set off an alarm. At my place, anyway, I can immediately turn on the outside flood light to the street.

I'd say get a set of steel wheels or an alarm system. Even jacking the car up will set off a sensitive alarm.

 

[Lord Tin Foilhat]

Flamethrowers are your only solution

 

[Mook]

Leave a note that says "Please dont steal me". Honor system.

 

[Lord Tin Foilhat]

I would draw dicks all over them with sharpie. Or plastidip them with white, and then color them to look like shit. Peel plastidip off when you wanna sell it.

 

[EmersonHart13]

Multiple wheel locks for sure, just to fuck with them.

Alarm with tilt and motion should finish it off. Could go 2 way status so you can get false alarms and jump outta bed 7 times a night.

 

[CuzzinOlaf]

Put KayJay's picture on them.

 

[Bru]

 

[Yaj Yak]

 

[LikeABauce302]

Gorilla makes locking lug nuts with a sleeve that spins if you try hammering a socket on them.

Edit: not sure what thread size you need, but here is an example http://www.summitracing.com/parts/gor-61641

 

[Bru]

Gorilla makes locking lug nuts with a sleeve that spins if you try hammering a socket on them.

Edit: not sure what thread size you need, but here is an example http://www.summitracing.com/parts/gor-61641

From my understanding, those only work with aftermarket wheels and not the OEMs. Something about how they sit in the wheel.

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

From my understanding, those only work with aftermarket wheels and not the OEMs. Something about how they sit in the wheel.

I would honestly talk to a small machine shop bring them a stock lug nut and the diameter of the recess and I bet they could make a spinning collar fur off the shelf locking lugs that would work perfect with your wheels

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

don't forget that most of them are pretty standardized now so you guys might be best to have them run a large enough batch to cover all of your fleet vehicles and it would probably end up pretty cost effective even if you make them out of stainless tube so they won't rust and discolor the rims.

 

[DanJ]

From my understanding, those only work with aftermarket wheels and not the OEMs. Something about how they sit in the wheel.

Even my aftermarket wheels are a ball seat. Going to do some more research in a bit when I'm done working.