I got wheel locks with my car and was wondering how others feel about using them. I ask because I had them on my old car and stripped the lugnut key when I turned it wrong and what a pain to get the wheel off after that.

 

The insert just came out of my key. I ordered a new set.

 

Are these wheels that nice that we should be concerned? I see a lot of more expensive ones out there. I have not put my locks on yet either, but then again, I generally don't park in questionable areas and keep it garaged at home.

 

Mine came with my car for free.

 

Mine were also already on the car when I purchased it.

 

Mine came with the car, in a bag in the trunk, I got them to put them on at my 1st oil change. I would rather have them locked and not temp anyone, just like leaving things in plain view inside the car, it can just invite people to break your window. I live in a great area, but I work downtown, I go to football games, and so many concerts I can't keep up (part of the job), so I just want to keep the crackheads honest. I doubt many can tell the difference between these and custom rims considering the car they are on.

 

As I recall, one of our forum members in Miami had all four tires/wheels stolen within a week or two of getting the RX-8. And he had the wheel locks on

I likely would not have locks for the stock wheels if Mazda did not include them. I didn't purchase locks for my 17" winter wheels. But if I had gotten the 18" wheel I was considering before all the 18" snow tires were gone, I definitely would have gotten locks.

 

I have had BAD experineces with locking lug nuts. Keys breaking, losing keys, or the guy with the air-wrench torquing them on so tight that they warped the lug and the key wouldn't work on them anymore. Anyhow....my RX-8 came with the locking lugs and no regular lugs in the car to replace them. These are put on at the dealership, not at the factory, so I stopped by and they gave me 4 regular lug nuts (no charge). I keep my car garaged and it's not parked anywhere with a very high crime rate at other times, so I really don't worry about them getting stolen. Also, that's what insurance is for, and if they ever do get stolen, I think I'll get some polished or chrome ones to replace them ;-)

 

I use the wheel locks on my stocks but not on the winters (they don't fit on the wheels).

 

Considering the fact you can buy a "master" wheel lock removal tool at Pep Boys, I think wheel lock usefulness is questionable. How many here think thieves don't have a removal tool? The one they sell is tapped on the nut with a hammer and then can remove it.

 

Locks came with my RX-8 and I have had them on other cars. They are a slight nuisance, but I have never had a big problem with them and the wheels did stay on the car. The RX-8 wheel-tire combination is more expensive than most vehicles, so I appreciate the security. ANy lock can be defeated, but it slows down the amateurs.

 

mine were already on the car too...

 

Mine are for sale.