09 Fit all wheels stolen - ADVICE: get wheel locks

forress · #1 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 01:05 PM

My wife and I woke up yesterday morning to find our six month old '09 Fit Sport sitting on cinder blocks. We live in Brooklyn but not the toughest part and didn't think we ever needed wheel locks until now. I guess times are bad and there are assh*les out there who are desperate.

Nonetheless the total damage estimate is $3,800, we'll have to pay our insurance company $1,000 deductible. Besides the wheels, front passenger window was broken, side bottom spoilers bent from sitting on cinder blocks, and some other minor stuff. Our rates might go up higher than it already is and I'll have to go thru the hassle of arguing with the auto repair guy to make sure he doesn't put in wheels/tires for 08 Fit on my 09.

There was a Lexus parked in front of me they didn't touch b/c of wheels locks. I know I'm not the first to have their wheels stolen and won't be the last and the wheel locks only slows down the thief but don't let that stop you from spending the $40.

Vanct · #2 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 01:08 PM

Man that sucks so bad.

Did you have the stock wheels or aftermarket?

EUROz*JDMz · #3 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 01:09 PM

Wow, that sucks, sorry to hear, our car came with locks and a cargo tray from the dealer at no charge. Problem is, theives know most people leave the key in the car in case they get at flat.

It's a deterent for sure, but the real problem, I think is, in Brooklyn, every parks on the street, so basically theives have a huge playground to steal from.

kenchan · #4 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 01:10 PM

sorry to hear about your car.

even if you had wheel locks
it is not tamper proof...it's only dummy proof at best.

especially if you keep your wheel locks inside the car where
most folks do. they broke your glass anyway, right? they
would've found access to your keys.

forress · #5 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 01:21 PM

They were stock 16" that came with the Sport package.

The cops said they're like a pit crew, they want to spend as little time and as quite as possible so we're getting locks and a better alarm system because the factory alarm didn't go off once.

solbrothers · #6 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 01:23 PM

wheel locks only keep honest people honest

AnlDyxp_GD3 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 01:26 PM

damn, sorry to hear that! Damn thieves. Yeah wheel locks are cheap. I got a used set for 18 shipped off of ebay. And after market alarm would be nice too. I have a base model so it came with no alarm, and I didnt want to pay the dealer an arm and a leg for a factory alarm. So i got aftermarket. You should get one of those two way pager alarm systems.

Paul S In TX · #8 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 01:30 PM

I have wheel locks on mine, but they hardly inspire any confidence. The wheel lock sticks out so far, it would be very easy to clamp on with vice grips. The lug nuts are only torqued to 80 ft lbs--wheel locks would at best slow a thief down or perhaps (as one other poster said) cause them to wheel shop elsewhere.

And the other issue with wheel locks is, occasionally, they will crack/break when removing--then you're in for much fun because that usually happens when dealing with a flat tire.

So it is one of those darned if you do, darned if you don't. Had mine not come with wheel locks (without additional charge), I would not have put them on after seeing how far they stick out from the rims.

In 20 years I have had cars that were parked outside over night broken into 3 times. Never anything of value stolen, but it is a hassle nonetheless. Good luck with your insurance.

Hump-Free · #9 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 01:33 PM

Wheel locks dont make a difference. All you have to do is take a machine chisle and a hammer and boom they don't need a lug wrench for the locks or the nuts....

kenchan · #10 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 01:44 PM

i think a good alarm with tilt sensor could help
greatly.

the reason why they didnt take the wheels off the
lexus is because it is not a high commodity than
is a new honda wheelset that can be sold to almost
anyone across the board on earlier models running
4x100PCD.

most folks dont want a stock lexus wheel.

Virtual · #11 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 02:05 PM

Get antitheft marking done (etching).

whyzor · #12 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 02:43 PM

yeah sorry to hear that. It's the downside of Hondas, their parts are more valuable than a stock luxury car. I would also get generic alarm stickers to put on your windows. They're a cheap bluff.

jaydubz79 · #13 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 02:46 PM

I personally keep 3 sets of wheel locks on, a little over the top but having lived up there for awhile I know how quickly things can disappear.

TWGE08 · #14 (**permalink**) 03-06-2009, 02:55 PM

The stock honda alarm only goes off if they unlock the doors when the car is armed. If they break the glass the alarm still wont go off since there is no sensors in the car for that. I would highly recommend an aftermarket alarm.