7 Ways To Protect Your Wheels From Being Stolen

June 23, 2023June 16, 2023 Lisa Conant 0 Comments Car Theft, McGard, Vehicle Protection, Vehicle Security, Wheel Locks, Wheel Theft

It may come as a surprise to learn that wheel theft across the US has risen dramatically from 2021 to 2022. Not only are wheels one of the most expensive and often attractive parts of your ride, they can also be the easiest to steal. All a thief needs are an impact wrench, a way to jack up your vehicle, and about 5 minutes to be able to leave you with a nasty surprise when you try to set off for work the next day.

Add in the fact that your wheels lack serial numbers or tracking info and can be sold easily to shops or online, and you can see why theft is a problem.

No one wants to spend thousands replacing perfectly good wheels or repairing costly damages to a car’s undercarriage caused by improperly and hastily set up homemade “jacks” — usually cinder blocks or bricks — that can ruin your exhaust, control arms, and more.

So, learn how to protect yourself (and your ride) from this increasingly-common crime with some practical tips and tricks that range from simple deterrents to comprehensive aftermarket solutions.

1. Park in Secure Areas

If you’re looking for some free ways to help protect your wheels, try to park in crowded, busy, and/or well-lit areas. Dark, quiet side streets are not your friend when it comes to preventing wheel theft.

While lesser trafficked-spots may be more attractive when it comes to preventing door dings and scratches, having plenty of watchful eyes and activity around can discourage a would-be thief.

2. Get Up Close and Personal

If you do have to park on a lesser-traveled street, park with your inside wheels as close to the curb as possible.

Crooks need space to get a jack under your car and maneuver your wheels off. By parking up high and tight with the curb, you’ll only be leaving two of your wheels exposed. This lessens the probability that someone will bother with you – especially if there’s an easier opportunity two cars down.

3. Turn Your Wheels

Just as if you would when parking on a hill, park on the street with your wheels turned inward toward the curb. Wheels are significantly easier to remove when they’re pointed straight.

On some makes and models, turning the front wheels inward may actually cause the front fender to block one or two lug nuts, making it next to impossible to remove a wheel quickly and inconspicuously.

4. Invest in Wheel Locks

This is one of the simplest and least expensive things you can do to make sure your wheels don’t get nabbed. Wheel locks, like the high-quality ones offered by McGard, are essentially redesigned lug nuts that require a special key tool in order to install or remove your rims. They’re usually sold as a set of 4 — one for each wheel.

McGard wheel locks are actually one of the most purchased wheel locks in the U.S. Sold either through your dealer or as an aftermarket solution, they’re used by more than 30 car companies, come in hundreds of different key patterns, and are manufactured right here in America from through-hardened restricted chemistry steel.

Become more acquainted with the ins and outs of wheel locks here.

5. Purchase an Aftermarket Alarm System

While plenty of newer vehicles are equipped with an alarm system, few offer the sensitivity needed to determine if a thief is jacking up your ride to steal your wheels. You need an alarm with motion sensors that can detect whether your car is being tilted or lifted. Also consider a dash cam with motion sensors that will start recording as soon as it senses anything nefarious happening.

This type of alarm can run upwards of $200-$500, depending on the kind you go with. You’ll also want to have it installed by a pro in order to get the sensors and wiring just right, which can also be pricey. That said, this is still waaaaaay cheaper than replacing all of your wheels.

6. Cover Your Car

Investing some cash in a vehicle cover is definitely easier on the pocketbook than a car alarm. It will hide your wheels from would-be thieves who might not want to take the time to skulk around and see if you have a set of wheels worth stealing.

As an added bonus, the cover will also protect your car’s paint job.

7. Buy Some New Boots

We’re not talking about hiking boots. While this may be the least convenient method, putting a set of boots on your car will definitely protect your wheels from being removed. A big set of parking boots completely covers your lug nuts like a set of headphones, making them impossible to access.

Since this is such a time-consuming and bulky option, it’s probably best to reserve this method for times when you’re planning to leave your vehicle parked in an exposed area for an extended period of time.