How do they work? what kind of wheel lock is good and what pattern? Do they really work?

thanks

 

Well, they may slow down the inexperienced theif, but they're not fool proof. It's funny you posted this because just yesterday we had a situation at our body shop involving wheel locks. We have a Civic in the shop that needed to go on the frame machine. We call the owner to bring down the key to take them off. Basically the owner is on a trip and won't be back for 2 weeks. I told them that we couldn't wait that long, so the family member said just do the best you can and he'll buy new ones later. I told my tech to see if he could figure something out. 30 seconds later he's back in the office holding the wheel lock...........laughing. Not very difficult, as you can see.

 

wow...i thought they didnt work...

 

wheel locks will only slow down thieves. Checkout McGard wheel locks. Size you need is 12 x 1.25

 

@BRAN808...

I was about to post a question regarding wheel locks because of a situation I had today, and it got me to thinking about how you could remedy a broken wheel lock KEY in an emergency situation. I can understand if you don't want to broadcast the solution here, but I'd really appreciate it if you could let me know. I tried vice grips and tapping it with a rubber mallet, but I tightened the lug nuts too tight for that to work... I ended up being nearly an hour late to work this morning because of it and my car is still undrivable. Fortunately in my case, a local shop had the replacement keys in stock very cheap, so I'll be able to finish up when I do get home, but still, I'd imagine there's got to be a different way of handling this situation outside of having an extra wheel lock key if an emergency surfaces...

 

You could get a metric socket similar in size and just whack it on there and loosen the lug. Of course the wheel lock will probably be useless after that, but the car thief wouldn't really care.

 

Go to an auto parts store and ask for an emergency lug nut remover.

 

I've seen these at Pepboys, and I'm currently considering getting them. Is that the same brand? I thought something like McGard could really only be bought online and at wheel shops.

 

If they are McGard, they are the same