Tips to prevent car wheel theft | Drury Tires (2024)

Car theft of any kind is not a pleasant experience. Whether it’s a smashed window to steal goods left on the seat, stealing the car itself or stealing wheels off the car – which happens more than you think – theft isn’t something you want to experience.

A car with things on display is especially tempting to thieves. Wallet, phone, cash, laptop, even just a pair of sunglasses. Thieves will be thieves, and these goods come with the added bonuses of a free ride home if they take the car too. But sometimes all a thief needs is a set of wheels they can grab. Here are some ways to prevent the threat of wheel theft.

  1. Park your car in a closed garage whenever possible. The garage acts as a barrier that must be bypassed, and it is enough to deter thieves most of the time.
  2. Install a car alarm with sensors that attach to the wheels. The alarm detects when the car is tilted and the wheel sensors also detect when the wheels are being tampered with.
  3. Park in a busy area when in a public place. The more cars and pedestrians pass by where you park, the less likely it is that thieves will want to risk being caught stealing wheels or tires in the area. If possible, park where there are surveillance cameras.
  4. Lock the wheels when parking. This makes it more difficult to remove the wheels as it prevents thieves from turning the wheels forward again without a key in the ignition.
  5. Use wheel chocks on each wheel, including the spare. The locks fit each wheel and make it very difficult to remove the wing nuts without a wrench. It is important that you never lose your key as you will need it in the event of a flat tire. However, the lock greatly reduces the risk of losing wheels and tires. Wing nut blocks are also useful as they require a specially sized wrench to remove. However, nut locks can be melted quickly with a blowtorch to fit a normal wrench, so they are not as effective as wheel locks.

In general, to reduce the chances of your car being stolen, you need to make the thief nervous about the time it will take them to steal. The longer it takes to get into the car, the more likely the thief will be caught. First, take common-sense precautions to deter theft. Make sure you lock your car at all times, especially if it’s parked unattended. Do not open the windows or roof when you are not in the vehicle.

For all your tyre needs, visit Drury Tires.

Tips to prevent car wheel theft | Drury Tires (2024)

FAQs

Tips to prevent car wheel theft | Drury Tires? ›

No criminal wants to be seen stealing tires off your vehicle one by one under well-lit conditions. In the daytime, avoid dark alleyways or back corners of parking garages for the same reasons. In parking lots, look for security cameras and try to park within the camera's line of sight.

How to prevent spare tire theft? ›

No criminal wants to be seen stealing tires off your vehicle one by one under well-lit conditions. In the daytime, avoid dark alleyways or back corners of parking garages for the same reasons. In parking lots, look for security cameras and try to park within the camera's line of sight.

What is the best way to secure car wheels? ›

Buy Lug Nut Locks

They're also available at auto stores or online for a little less; you can put them on yourself or bring them to a mechanic to install for you. For extra protection, you can buy lock kits for all of the lug nuts on your wheels.

Can thieves steal tires with wheel locks? ›

Wheel locks often do not provide much protection due to low risk and potential workarounds for tire theft.

How to prevent wheel caps from being stolen? ›

It is an age old question - how to secure wheel covers, how to secure wheel trims, how to secure hubcaps. Well, now you know. In fact, stainless steel cable ties have become so synonymous with stopping people from stealing hubcaps they are some times referred to as wheel trim ties or wheel trim cable ties.

How do I make sure my tires don't get stolen? ›

Secure Your Wheels: Expert Tips to Prevent Car Wheel Theft with Drury Tires
  1. Park Your Car in a Closed Garage.
  2. Install Car Alarms with Wheel Sensors.
  3. Park in Busy Areas with Surveillance Cameras.
  4. Use Wheel Locking Mechanisms.
  5. Additional Precautions.

Should I cover my spare wheel? ›

The truth is that sunlight will deteriorate that tyre over time. The tyres stored underneath copping mud etc are much more likely to be usable when you need it as a spare. Tyre life is generallt recognised to be best used within 5 years of the date of manufacture, so if I where you I would be covering up.

How do I protect my car rims? ›

Apply a metal sealant or wheel-specific coating

After thoroughly cleaning your rims, it's time to apply a protective layer to shield them from potential damage. You have two options: a metal sealant or a wheel-specific coating.

What prevents wheel lock up? ›

An anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents wheels from locking up and cars from skidding when the brake is harshly applied, especially on slippery road conditions, guaranteeing safer driving.”

Do wheel rim protectors work? ›

It is worth noting that while rim protectors are highly effective against knocks and scapes, they are not designed to protect against high-impact damage. Thanks to the protection offered, motorists can save money on wheel repair or maintenance costs.

Do anti-theft lug nuts work? ›

Shear head locking nuts are designed to shear off if any tool other than the matching key is used. This makes it difficult for thieves but can also be inconvenient for vehicle owners left with a sheared locking nut.

Does insurance cover wheels getting stolen? ›

Stolen tires and rims will only be covered under your car insurance if you have comprehensive car insurance. Depending on your type of coverage on your insurance policy (check with your insurance company) they usually will pay replacement value for your stolen wheels and tires.

How often are car wheels stolen? ›

On average, 950 complete sets of wheels are stolen from US households, every single day. Car dealers and workshops are estimated to be affected by equally as many thefts, probably even more. Here are four reasons as to why you need effective wheel locks on your car.

How do I protect my wheels from theft? ›

There are a variety of products on the market designed to prevent wheel theft, ranging from locking lug nuts to car alarms that detect the tilt of your vehicle for when a potential thief might try to jack it up.

How do you secure a car wheel? ›

One of the simplest and most effective ways to improve your car's security is to fit a steering wheel lock, but wheel clamps, vehicle trackers, solar security lights and number plate locks will also provide extra security for your cherished motor.

How do you secure a wheel? ›

A set of lug nut locks is one of the best and most secure solutions for wheel security. These lug nuts are like regular ones but you can't remove them without the key, making them safe from thieves. Many drivers favor lug nut locks because they're simple to install and effective at deterring thieves.

Where is the safest place to put a spare tire? ›

If you have absolutely no other options, and you're only driving a short distance (only a few blocks), then you're usually safe attaching a front spare tire—just make sure you drive defensively and refrain from taking any further risks.

What is the fastest way to lose a spare tire? ›

If you've got some weight to lose, say 10 pounds or more, your primary focus should be aerobic exercise, such as running, biking and swimming, which will help lower your total body fat. To get the best results, aim for 30 to 45 minutes of aerobic exercise three to five days a week.

How to stop defender spare wheel being stolen? ›

Protect your spare wheel from being stolen by fitting our purpose designed spare wheel lock.

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