I just bought a new-to-me Lexus, and it has wheel locks. Luckily, I have the key, which I checked for before I signed the papers.
Now the question is - would you go ahead and remove the locks and replace with regular lug nuts? I'm just thinking that getting these things off at my leisure at home with all my tools available would be better than messing with them on the side of a busy highway in the rain in my work clothes.
The car has the stock, base-model non-chrome 16" wheels. Does anyone even steal stock wheels on 14-year old cars anymore?
run of the mill stock wheels? take the locks off.
Locks are a PITA. I've replaced them on two vehicles that had them when purchased. If someone likes my wheels that much there'll be an insurance claim.So far, no one has bothered.
If you have suitable regular replacement lugnuts go put them now. Nobody is going to steal those rims. Although I have found that certain locking lugs aren't that difficult to use. Maybe if you find that these aren't that hard to take off, stash them with the key in a ziplock bag in a drawer somewhere in case they become of use down the road.
Yeah for stock wheels I'd lose 'em.
Lock lugs have provably saved the rims in my avatar once already though.
