After 8 weeks mine is due in this coming weekend (Yea). I live close to the Dallas area and my dealer is strongly suggesting I buy their wheel locks. Are these tires really that kind of value that others want them for an after market?
they recommend wheel locks on the 7 spoke alloy (touring model) wheels, i suppose its an individual preference if you want them locked or not. probably a good idea. but you can get them cheaper then what the dealer will charge you for them i can't see anybody wiling to steal the base prius rims, god they are so ugly. the average retail price for touring tires ( 195 55 r 16 size) is $100-$155 each
If I were a wheel thief, I would probably steal a lot of other wheels before I would think of stealing Prius wheels. :madgrin:
Well my Prius does come w/ Toyota Wheel Locks and installed when I pick up my car. No additional charges was added. :canada: Also they have etched some numbers on the windows, engine block etc. Some people told me is ~$300 cost item but it was baked into the $1xxx PDI charges... Oh well I guess nothing is free...
etching the windows is a $20 cost item and you can buy an etcher at sears for teh engine block as well as all your electronics for $25. heck i had my drivers license number etched on my scsi drives !!! if the dealer forced that crap on me i would walk away
Different but similar category. I thought that I would share a tip from personal experience years ago. I do not know if this applys to any of the Prius' wheel covers, but it does apply to any wheel cover with a hole for the valve stem to protrude through. They make a wheel cover lock that locks onto the valve stem supposedly to prevent theft of your wheel covers. I don't even know if they make them any more, but if so, never, never use them below freezing. Ice, freezing rain, snow, sleet, etc. can build up behind the wheel cover causing the wheel cover to pop off, at any time, taking the valve stem with it. Not cool at high speeds. Just a warning for our northern friends.
Wheel locks are such a pain. My dealer installed wheel locks on my car, and charged me $67 for it. I have one question: Has anyone ever had their standard wheels stolen on a Prius? Fancy aftermarket wheels don't count. I think it is a total waste of money and dangerous to boot. First, I have never had my wheels stolen in my whole life. Second, I don't know anyone who have their wheels stolen. This includes families and friends and I lived in plenty of high crime neighborhoods. I've had my car keyed, my tires slashed, antenna snapped off. I've never had anyone steal my wheels. My friends had their radios stolen, valuables taken inside the car. They have never had their wheels stolen. If I have to park somewhere where I think there is a chance the wheels will be stolen, I just won't park, or find paid parking. Do people steal wheels anymore? Third, the only thing that can happen is the dealer/mechanic loses my wheel lock or I get a flat at the side of the road on some dark night, drop the lock in the mud and can't find the lock. Forth. Now, every time I get my tires rotated, I have to check to see if the wheel lock is there or lost. The mechanic is going to call me and ask me where the lock is. It is such a pain. Fifth. For some locks, there are a limited number of combinations and you can buy a set of keys. They sell them on the internet at legitimate stores (i.e., not ebay). I am tempted to buy some bolts (from the dealer) to replace the wheel locks so I don't have to worry about the dumb lock? Any thoughts. Advice. The only reason I am holding back is that I don't want to pay more money. A total pain
I don't like wheel locks due to the cost and risk of not being able to remove them. Along with that I live in a low risk area. I have known people to lose normal wheels. My grandparents had theirs stolen twice, right from the parking lot at their apartment. It all depends on where you live and the size of your wheels. I don't think Prius wheels are in big demand. Tom
When you picked up your car the 4 bolts they took out when they put the wheel lock bolts in should have been with the car. If they are not you should go to the dealer and get them. No point in buying them twice.
Wheel locks are far more trouble than they are worth. The usual scenario is that you have a flat tire somewhere in BFE, and lo and behold, cannot find the key to get that last lugnut off I've heard plenty of stories of THAT happening Not too many folks realize this, but wheel locks are easily defeated. Almost every dealership, garage, and probably a lot of criminals, have the locking lugnut toolset TSR600, Socket, Locking Lug Nut Removal K-Tool International KTI-71910 Locking Lug Nut Remover Kit K-Tool International 71910 etc
What you say makes a lot of sense. They can't make a device like a wheel lock that immobilize a car for two days in case of a flat and the lost of the key until FedEx can deliver a new key. The complaint will roll in.
Oh yeah? Well someone just swiped one off my new 2010 Prius. There's no telling what bored teenagers will do for kicks.
