I found a cheaper way to secure your wheels. Rather than spend $40 plus on Toyota wheel locks, I purchased McGard wheel locks, part #21156. They are half the cost of the Toyota version and fit perfectly. They even come with the washer to properly secure the lug nut to the rim. <H2>Product Features Overall Length 1.38", Shank Length .580", Shank Diameter .679" M12 x 1.5 Thread Size 13/16" Hex Size Mag/Shank Style Wheel Locks Set of 4 Locks, 4 Washers and 1 Key </H2>I bought mine on Amazon.com for $16.90 and got free shipping when I spent over $25. http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B000COS006?tag=priuschatcom-20
Don't get wheel locks. They are definitely not worth the hassle when you get a flat and the lock strips out. Nobody is going to steal our wheels anyway.
I've had Toyota and Lexus locks in the SET region, always have been McGard locks anyway, part of the port accessories installed before it gets to the dealer. Yes, more expensive, but already installed. The dealer accessory price if you want them from the parts counter may be less, or "negotiable".
I think the 17" wheels may be a target, but definitely not the 15 inchers with their plastic hub caps
It's more of a deterrent than anything else. If they really want them they are going to get them. Same thing with a car alarm. If they want your car they will just flatbed it away. Lastly, you would be surprised what will be stolen that you think is worthless. I am still gonna get that guy who stole my Milli Vanilli CD!
I had them installed on a 1988 Pontiac many years ago. One nut "froze" and ultimately had to be removed by a brawney man with a torch. nevermore...nevermore
Good price, mine are made by McGard and look exactly the same but I paid $38 for them at the PC Shop. Hay Danny, how about lowering your price a little? I think the 17" wheels may be desirable enough to steal. As Mike implied the purpose of the locks isn't to make the wheels "theft proof" it's just to make them harder to get off than someone elses.
To prevent any lugnut, locking type or regular, from seizing, install a dab of anti-seize to each wheel stud when you rotate your tires. You lugnuts will never seize up.
Four years ago I bought a set of McGard wheel locks for my Cherokee. Recently my wife took the car in to have the tires rotated. They forgot to torque down the wheel locks and I ended up losing one of them. No problem, I called McGard and they shipped the correct replacement wheel lock within a couple of days. The McGard locks appear to be made of harden metal and don't show any signs of corrosion (after 4 years). I'd buy them again without reservation. Keith
McGard wheel lock has relatively smaller contact area for torquing. This becomes an issue if some idiot over-torqued the nuts. You won't be able to take them off. With regular nuts, you could step on the wrench or use a hammer to hit the wrench. Thanks to the smaller contact area, both won't work. The wrench jumps off the key. You need to seek professional help (power-tool). It just happened to me a few days ago. Just so that you know. What if this happens at the most inconvenient time (road side)? I have the wheel locks on my 20" wheels of Mazda CX9. I am considering taking them off. I rarely park outside at night or in bad neighborhood.
I have a V and bought a new set for it the first week (17" wheels). But FYI: Inform your service folks NOT to torque them with an air gun. Can easily strip the socket key. I had a set on my Lexus RX for 9 years. After a rotation last June, the last locking lug stripped the socket's key. Fortunately I had the manufacturer name (McGard). Contacted them and determined they came with a card and a keyset number. Found it in my owners manual packet (put it in there 9 years earlier..!). Gave it to them. A repl was sent ($15 + shipping) and I brought it back to the shop. THAT one stripped too. That lug nut must have been extremely overtorqued. Called McGard - was very nice and sent another free of charge. By then I had sold the car after getting the Prius and sent the socket to the new owner. Hope it worked for them... So- lesson: -Save the lock/key code in a safe place. But they could have supplied a replacement socket with a closeup picture of the lug-key too. -Don't overtorque the nuts. -Make sure you have a socket the size of the keyed socket (may not be the same size as the OEM Prius lug nuts. Mine weren't. In any case I would recommend them for nice wheels. Extra margin of safety - bad guys may move on to easier pickins'.
