Is wheel theft common?

Despite all the technological advancements made in the auto industry, old-fashioned wheel theft remains a problem nationwide: The value of tires stolen each year is at least $1 million, according to one estimate.
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Do wheel locks actually prevent theft?

Wheel locks only protect against the theft of tires, wheels, and rims. They do not protect against car theft. They are commonly confused with wheel chock locks and wheel lock clamps, which act as a tire “boot” to prevent vehicle theft.
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How can I prevent my wheels from being stolen?

Wheel locks are the best method to protect your car wheels from theft. This is because these metal plates cover your wheel's lug nuts to the fullest and don't leave any chance of getting access to the nuts to steal the wheel.
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Why do people steal wheels and tires?

Anything that's not difficult to steal and can be worth a decent amount of money is at risk of being stolen. This leads to another reason that thieves are targeting tires; they're worth some money. People are always looking for good deals on tires.
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What are the most stolen rims?

'Hot Wheels' report shows 10 vehicles most commonly stolen
  • Honda Civic: 34,144.
  • Honda Accord: 30,814.
  • Toyota Camry: 16,915.
  • Nissan Altima: 14,668.
  • GMC full-size pick-up: 13,016.
  • Toyota Corolla: 12,515.
  • Honda CR-V: 12,309.
  • Dodge full-size pick-up: 11,991.
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Porsche 911 STOLEN WHEELS Caught On Camera !!! ( CRIMINALS CAUGHT ) (VIDEO #35)



How can I protect my rims?

The Best Way To Protect Your Rims
  1. Thoroughly clean your rims with a medium-grade auto detailing clay bar. ...
  2. Apply metal sealant or wheel-specific coating to the rims.
  3. Let dry and then install wheel protectors, such as RimBlades, to the rims.
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Do alloy wheels still get stolen?

The problem with alloys is that they're fairly easy to take and virtually impossible to trace once stolen. With immobilisers fitted as standard on many cars, thieves are now taking the wheels rather than the whole cars, so wheel protection is key.
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How long does it take to steal rims?

HOUSTON — Taking the wheels off a car can take less than two minutes. When equipped with the right tools and a partner, thieves can steal thousands of dollars in property from your car in a flash. Philianne Carden wrote into KHOU after her Ring doorbell camera captured thieves in the act.
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How can I make my car harder to steal?

Keeping your car safe: Tips for preventing auto theft
  1. Lock your doors. ...
  2. Remove your keys from the vehicle. ...
  3. Do not leave a spare key near your vehicle. ...
  4. Close the windows. ...
  5. Park in well-lit areas. ...
  6. Install an audible alarm system and anti-theft device. ...
  7. Install a vehicle immobilizer system. ...
  8. Install a tracking system.
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What is the point of wheel locks?

Wheel locks are designed to prevent thieves from stealing rims off your car. Wheel locks consist of four special lug nuts and one key. As seen below lug nuts have a specific pattern that only the key that comes with the set can install or remove them.
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Can thieves break steering wheel lock?

Steering wheel locks can be defeated

There have been many cases where professional thieves have stolen cars equipped with a steering wheel lock by simply cutting a portion of the steering wheel to remove the device, or by drilling or cutting the device itself to disable it.
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Is it worth having locking wheel nuts?

You only need to use one locking nut on each wheel, where it simply replaces one of the regular wheel nuts. Fitting locking wheel nuts is easy, and they provide an excellent deterrent against opportunistic theft. In fact, as a result of locking wheel nuts being widely fitted, car wheel theft has become pretty rare.
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Are locking lugs worth it?

Locking lug nuts can provide you peace of mind, but they can also cause you trouble if they become damaged or if you lose the key. Bob Weber, writing for the Chicago Tribune, says anyone using locking lug nuts should keep the key in the glove compartment for easy access.
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Do manual cars get stolen less?

CarBuzz reported that there's no real data that proves that cars with stick shifts are stolen less frequently. However, if you currently own a car equipped with one, then you can at least rest assured that it's less likely to get stolen than any of the cars parked around it.
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What is the least stolen car in America?

A study by the Highway Loss Data Institute found that the BMW 3 Series was the least-stolen car in the United States.
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Can stolen rims be tracked?

By using a scan tool, which when placed in close proximity to the tire's valve stem, the officer is able to detect and display the identification number for the TPMS for that tire and thus identify a stolen tire and rim. (Note: Sensors will not just respond to any scan tool.
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Do rims have serial numbers?

The serial number for your wheels can be found inside the rim (under your rim tape).
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Why do people steal alloy wheels?

“The modern fashion is for big wheels and skinny tyres, but a thin tyre means the metal of the wheel is below kerb height and these expensive wheels are easily scraped, even by careful parkers. Hence the market for stolen alloy wheels, even those fitted as standard.
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Do rim guards work?

In light truck off-road applications, the rim protectors will also help shield the tire and wheel bead area from debris, as well as resist damage inflicted by rocks, tree stumps and other off-road obstacles.
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How common is curb rash?

This type of damage is fairly common if you aren't careful when parking, and sometimes it can happen even if you are careful. In fact, if you're looking for a used car, you'll likely note many models have a little curb rash on their wheels.
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Why do I keep curbing my wheels?

Slippery conditions can cause curb strikes or mask potholes. Road salt eats away at expensive chrome wheels, and salt water isn't all that good for any type of wheel. Having a second set of wheels for winter can be a good idea.
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How much is a wheel lock key?

Still can't find your wheel lock key? You may need to order a new one from the dealer or manufacturer. To do this, you will need the code that corresponds with your particular key. Generally, you can expect to pay between $20 and $120 per set.
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