Are they really useful in deterring theft or are they just a useless $55 option put on most new cars. Is someone really going to try and steal OEM wheels of of a car? I took mine off right away as I was afraid I would loose the "key" and get stuck somewhere remote not being able to change a flat tire.
Wheel Locks?
- Thread starter Rich 65
- Start date
OEM wheels are a pretty hot commodity for theft. Considering your wheel fits a plethora of other cars, crossovers and SUVs, they may be wanted by someone other than a CX-5 owner. To give you an example, this is a picture of my Maxima with 2005 Nissan Murano wheels. They are not stolen, but you get the idea:
speedbegone
Member
- :
- 2014 mazda CX5 GT liquid silver
There are 4 reasons why I am now without them and not sure I want to have some is:
1- twice now, the oem (or dealer supplied) nuts have broken (the end popped off like a cap) and left me no choice to have to go to get the rest of the broken lug off in a garage (will add pics later...)
2- most wheel thiefs know how and are equipped to remove them without needing the key
3- Considering that once you have lock nuts, its important to keep the key in the car... Most wheel thief's will know this and could also break a window to get the key.
4- this: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...mn=Performance+Tool&mc=PFM&pt=N1772&ppt=N0639
In the end... if someone wants to steal wheels, they will find a way no matter what the safety measure.
The best way to prevent theft could be fake hubcaps to attach/clip over alloy wheels when you park... nobody steals those. lol
But I would get tired of it quick and not even put them on after a while...
1- twice now, the oem (or dealer supplied) nuts have broken (the end popped off like a cap) and left me no choice to have to go to get the rest of the broken lug off in a garage (will add pics later...)
2- most wheel thiefs know how and are equipped to remove them without needing the key
3- Considering that once you have lock nuts, its important to keep the key in the car... Most wheel thief's will know this and could also break a window to get the key.
4- this: http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...mn=Performance+Tool&mc=PFM&pt=N1772&ppt=N0639
In the end... if someone wants to steal wheels, they will find a way no matter what the safety measure.
The best way to prevent theft could be fake hubcaps to attach/clip over alloy wheels when you park... nobody steals those. lol
But I would get tired of it quick and not even put them on after a while...
Chris_Top_Her
Contributor
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- San Antonio, Texas
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- '15 CX-5 Miata AWD
Lol not stolen XD tbh.. the oem locks are just overpriced. They are a slightly less common lock style, but really anyone stealing wheels that's experienced will have a lock breaking socket (available at autozone...), or different types of locks... if anything they just are a deterrent/snare. Not to mention the oem lock doesn't even blend with the other ones.
Chris_Top_Her
Contributor
- :
- San Antonio, Texas
- :
- '15 CX-5 Miata AWD
Actually a guy on the mazda3 forum had his hubcaps jacked from his brand new 2014 3 LOL
SayNoToPistons
Wheels, not rims...
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- CX-5 GT AWD w/ Tech, RX-8 GT 6spd w/ 'goodies'
All it takes is a hammer and a socket they will pound into your "lock nut"....
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- 2014 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD w/Tech
The Mazda OEM locks are McGard's.
I've done this method hundreds of times... for customers who lost/misplaced their wheel lock key. Some people purchase these locks for piece of mind, and it's possible it could deter some punks who want to steal some wheels. But if a Memphis Raines wants it, he'll just take the whole car.
