My car came from the dealer with wheel locks, so I've kept them on the wheels.

They're a PITA for me, since I change wheels quite frequently for track and autocross events.

I've heard that no self-respecting thief is deterred in the least by wheel locks, and, in fact, that wheel locks will only result in you losing a stud to a thief, rather than just losing wheels and tires.

What's the opinion of you folks?

 

Nobody has ever stolen my brake-dusted, tracked, unwashed, AP1 wheels.

 

It's cheaper and easier to buy perfect, used AP1 wheels than to steal dusty, tracked AP1 wheels.

I should add that I have stock AP2 wheels in the summer, with RE050 tires, and stock AP1 wheels in the winter, with Blizzak LM22 tires.

 

it's only 1 lock per wheel...it shouldn't take but extra 5 second to attach and detach the key...

how are they PITA for you?

 

I asked a simple question--Are wheel locks an effective deterrant, or are they actually a negative? When I state that wheel locks are a PITA, it seems fair to accept that at face value, rather than to poke at that. If wheel locks are effective, I'm willing to put up with the PITA; if they're not, or if they're a negative, the PITA makes the decision easy.

 

But most are not self-respecting. Most consumer security devices are really more about convincing the amateur thief to look for another car when he sees a device, like locks, on yours. I put locks on my cars for that reason

If a pro has an "order" for your wheels, your right, he'll get them. I think the amateurs greatly out number the pros however.