I tend to agree with your statement, but did purchase them with the vehicle. If I had it to do again probably wouldn't unless I also purchased one of the accessory rims, acknowledging the limitations you stated. Let's face it if one buys the stock rims they are ubiquitous, it's only a Honda and the rim size/weight tolerance will limit other applications-so I don't see a huge after market unless you include metal recyclers.
Wheel Locks
So what is your take on wheel locks? Personally I feel they are outdated and useless as most all cars today have "Mag Wheels" and is not something normally stolen from a vehicle. Yes If you go back to the 80's Mags were very expensive and sought after however this is not the case today. How many of you know of someone or have heard of someone losing their wheels to a thief? I certainly never have.
It is more of a PITA locating the special lock nut socket and using them than anything else if you ask me.
Have you ever tried removing a lock nut when the socket is missing? I have and can tell you it is very easy to do.
Most dealers include these with your car/truck so we think nothing about it and tend to look at them as something required IMHO.
You can buy lock nut removal sockets almost anywhere so what is the point.
I do not use them any more on any of my cars and was glad to see my RL did not come with them.
Your thought and/or participation in the poll are more than welcome.
It is more of a PITA locating the special lock nut socket and using them than anything else if you ask me.
Have you ever tried removing a lock nut when the socket is missing? I have and can tell you it is very easy to do.
Most dealers include these with your car/truck so we think nothing about it and tend to look at them as something required IMHO.
You can buy lock nut removal sockets almost anywhere so what is the point.
I do not use them any more on any of my cars and was glad to see my RL did not come with them.
Your thought and/or participation in the poll are more than welcome.
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I purchased the locks purely as a deterrent, we all know that these can be defeated if they truly want them. My goal is that $54 dollars spent avoids me having to pay my insurance deductible and the inconvenience of dealing with a truck tittering on 2 cinder blocks. Living in South Florida does teach you the perils of big city life and the punks and lowlife that make it a nuisance at times.
Yes I have had them on all my vehicles over the years except my 1980 Prelude. This past year they were reporting on the news here in Washington DC Metro suburbs of Maryland and Virginia about wheel theft.
People were stealing I think it was wheels on GM trucks SUVS. Doing it while vehicles were parked in the driveway at night. Also they were stealing Honda Accord wheels from subway parking lots. So it's can be a profitable crime. Police were recommending the use of wheel locks.
People were stealing I think it was wheels on GM trucks SUVS. Doing it while vehicles were parked in the driveway at night. Also they were stealing Honda Accord wheels from subway parking lots. So it's can be a profitable crime. Police were recommending the use of wheel locks.
Your timing is amazing. Sometimes I think some of us members are just in sync on questions. I just replaced a BE rim and decided to ditch the locks. Exactly for what you mention, they are just a cosmetic eyesore now days. You actually don't even need the key to take them off... search on Youtube sometime.
I feel they are not even a decent deterrent these days. Additionally I want to replace mine with black lug nuts, so I don't wanna deal with it then, either.
I feel they are not even a decent deterrent these days. Additionally I want to replace mine with black lug nuts, so I don't wanna deal with it then, either.
It's very rare when someone steals just the wheels from a car (except maybe in Detroit). Usually the entire vehicle is stolen.
I am working with this cellphone while my laptop gets cleaned up but Google wheel thefts in Washington DC area. More suburbs than city and the Accord was for the wheels that come on the sport 19inchYes I have had them on all my vehicles over the years except my 1980 Prelude. This past year they were reporting on the news here in Washington DC Metro suburbs of Maryland and Virginia about wheel theft.
People were stealing I think it was wheels on GM trucks SUVS. Doing it while vehicles were parked in the driveway at night. Also they were stealing Honda Accord wheels from subway parking lots. So it's can be a profitable crime. Police were recommending the use of wheel locks.
I threw on a set with 2 keys that I had left over from an Odyssey. They are a little taller but fit. On the Accord forum, if you have the Sport or now Sport or Touring wheels, they are a hot commodity. Apparently, thieves have master keys that render locks useless anyway but they can be a deterrent. Everyone talks about the wheels but what about the tires. If you had brand new tires on crap rims wouldn't you want the locks on anyway? If you buy an extra key, just leave it in the car and the other one in the tool box. The only PITA is that when I take the car in for an inspection or to the dealer, I just put the original lugs back on. Less chance of a screw up. With all this said, thieves steal parts for which there is a demand and RTL and up wheels I doubt are in demand. For the RTS and RT, they do match the Pilot so in theory they should be more valuable. The Sport and BE wheels are probably the most desirable though.
Back in the day, my 87 Mustang GT had a beautiful system where the wheel lock was attached to the lug wrench with a wire and there was a mount for the lock on the wrench. The idiots at Midas cut the wire to make their life easier and mine harder. Idiots.
Back in the day, my 87 Mustang GT had a beautiful system where the wheel lock was attached to the lug wrench with a wire and there was a mount for the lock on the wrench. The idiots at Midas cut the wire to make their life easier and mine harder. Idiots.
I run locks on all my aftermarket alloy wheels during the summer months. If not for anything more than piece of mind. I don't think wheel thefts are common in my area.
When I am running my stock alloy wheels in the winter months I don't bother with locking lug nuts. If they want to take the time to set up and steel my wheels in -20*C they can have them...lol My insurance will cover them.
Now I have two complete sets of wheels, tires, TPMS sensors and lug nuts. One for winter and one for summer.
When I am running my stock alloy wheels in the winter months I don't bother with locking lug nuts. If they want to take the time to set up and steel my wheels in -20*C they can have them...lol My insurance will cover them.
Now I have two complete sets of wheels, tires, TPMS sensors and lug nuts. One for winter and one for summer.
Wheel locks are a cheap way to encourage a thief to find an easier target. All these locks can be beaten, but it takes extra time and extra tools. I think the minimal cost and minimal maintenance inconvenience is worth it for me.
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