In the glovebox of the 2019 ES 350 (certified preowned) I purchased last month from a Lexus dealer in the ATL area was a packet of information about wheel locks and the key (registration form, lock and key ID numbers, etc.). But there are no locks on the wheels and no key in the place where it should be stored. I have no way of knowing if they were removed by the previous owner, a repair shop, or the dealer. Are they effective tire theft deterrents, to the extent that they are worth the expense for me to replace them? I live in a low-crime area and never park my car in the driveway or on the street. Thanks!

 

Wheel locks or not, if a thief wants your wheels they'll find a way to get it off. Deterrent? Yes, to an extent, and I personally never had a vehicle that didn't have them. I probably wouldn't worry about it, but if you want to put your mind at ease you can get a set at the dealership or find them cheaper online.

 

Don't waste your time. The original owner probably did the same as me. I removed them from both of our cars and replaced with regular oem lugnuts. I no longer worry about the service folks misplacing the key. I have the original set and key if you really want them

 

I always install wheel locks on my cars. If you get the right ones, they're absolutely a deterrent. The one i have have an internal keyway and the wheel stud sticks through the lock so it would be challenging to jam anything in there. possible but challenging. challenge=deterrent.

Don't get the ones where it's easy to grip them on the outside with a socket or pair of grips.

 

So even worse if the key gets misplaced!!

 

always an element of inconvenience when you add security!

 

They are not a deterrent and a major pita. I broke a key once. Did a google search to see how I could remove. Bought a cheap socket, drove it on with a couple hammer raps and zipped it right off. Locks will not stop anyone from stealing your wheels xcept maybe some goofy six graders.

 

depends what you mean by "they."

not every wheel lock is created equal and not every wheel is created equal.

assuming said thief has a socket, one that perfectly fit the wheel lock and your wheel, they'd have to hammer it on creating unwanted attention. Now you may say... well thieves don't care! Well some may not... some may. saying wheel locks aren't a deterrent makes a lot of assumptions about the thief's personality, the thief's tools, and the thief's appetite for risk in a given situation.

for $40. i'm willing to at least try to improve my odds.

 

Wheel lock keys are available on the internet. As mike says, if a thief wants your wheels they'll get them one way or another. I have 5 cars and none have wheel locks... Major PITA. These guys are removing catalytic converters in under 15 minutes...

 

Do you mind sharing what type of wheel lock you have?? Thanks.

 

As is the case with a lot of security features, be they wheel locks or door locks, for instance, it is true that if a thief is sufficiently skilled, has the right tools and the time (often a big consideration)m then yes, most such devices can be defeated.

The practical reality, however, is that, contrary to what is portrayed on TV and movies, most thieves don't get anywhere near that level of "skill" and/or carry around specialized tools and equipment with them. Thus the deterrence is that if you have a lock or device that isn't easy to quickly defeat they will move on to another vehicle - fast and easy is what is best if you're committing crimes. There is a target rich environment out there and, with the exception of the few organized gangs of thieves in some places, most such crimes are opportunistic and hurriedly committed. So the factory wheel locks are usually enough to thwart most of the bad guys out there. Add in parking safely, in well lighted areas if need be, and all the rest of the common sense things one can think of, we're pretty safe from having our wheels removed from the car.

Practically nothing in life is 100% so there's not much point in worrying too much about some stuff.

 

I would be skeptical of using the codes for those locks. It would seem better just to get another set since they're only $40-$50... I agree with the previous poster, they won't prevent someone who really wants your wheels from taking them, but will deter the average lazy thief...

 

This is totally correct.

 

In your case, no. Just enjoy the car and forget about them wheel locks.
Wheel thieves usually target highly common non-luxury cars such as Camry, Corolla, Accord etc. because they can sell them fast, they are in high demand for used parts and re-build purposes. Luxury vehicle owners don't just one day look for an used wheel...