Over the past few years, most car crime headlines have been about people stealing catalytic converters for their rare metals.
But that doesn’t mean once-common stolen items like tires are a thing of the past. In fact, tire theft is on the rise in DC and Maryland. This is no minor inconvenience. Replacing four tires and rims can cost up to $4,000 for a luxury vehicle.
The good news is that there is a simple and inexpensive way to make it much harder for someone to steal your tires. Wheel locks thwart crime by requiring a “key” to remove a nut. Without them, all you need to steal tires is a jack and a wrench.
Even better news is that you may already have wheel locks. Many new vehicles now come with wheel locks. If you’re buying a new car, definitely ask the dealer if they’re included, and if not, ask them to throw it away. If you don’t have one and park your car where it could be in danger, it may be worth the $50-$500 it costs to buy them. (Unsurprisingly, in general, the more expensive your car, the more your wheel locks will cost.)
Wheel locks only have one downside. If you have them, be sure to grab the key. CarCare To Go’s service manager recommends leaving it in the car because “losing your key can be a huge headache that costs time and money.” And leave it available in your car when you get it repaired.
If you lose your key, the cost of your next service for anything from tire repair to brake maintenance has just gone up. Many service centers can remove the lock nuts without your wrench, but it can cause damage to the tires and will definitely require you to buy new nuts.
For more information on preventing tire theft and wheel locks, check out this blog post on wheel locks where we interview CarCare To Go Parts Manager Claire Treadway and Service Manager, Dan Burns. They answer questions including:
At CarCare To Go, we pride ourselves on not only providing the best possible service for your vehicle, but also providing owners with the tools they need to maintain their car throughout its lifetime. If you have any questions about your vehicle or want your mechanic to help you understand where your wheel locks are and how they work, book your appointment with CarCare To Go now.
If you’re lucky enough to already have wheel locks, you should still use CarCare To Go for all your car needs. Right now, they are running a crazy special on your first oil change. It only costs $20.22. No catch Really. It even covers synthetic oil.
You’ll wonder why you ever cared about your car any other way. More information here!
