The first step in thwarting would-be rim thieves is to practice attentive parking habits whenever possible. Even if it means a slightly longer walk to your final destination, look for well lighted parking spots. Car and rim thieves prefer working in the dark as to attract minimal attention from passersby. Always utilize monitored garages when they are available, and if you have a locked garage at your home you should always park your car inside of it when you are home. Remember to lock your car, as a car thief can easily start the ignition on an unlocked car and make off with more than just your rims.
Someone trying to steal rims off of a car is hoping to do so unnoticed by the owner of the car, nearby law enforcement, and any other potential witnesses. A wheel alarm is designed to alert everyone in the vicinity of your car whenever a rim is removed from the tire. The alarms are mounted on the back of each wheel and use the car’s existing alarm system and go off when the wheel is tampered with in any way that would suggest it is being removed. Higher end wheel alarms are also designed with a tracking chip that will lead law enforcement to the rim, and hopefully whomever robbed you, utilizing GPS technology. Make sure the car’s primary alarm system is armed whenever you leave your car. A visible warning sticker which indicates that the car, ignition and rims are connected to an active alarm system will also help deter thieves by letting them know any attempt to steal from you will likely result in being caught red-handed.
Rim thieves want to get their work done quickly and are less likely to steal something that is difficult or time consuming to take. Locking wheel nuts are one of the easiest ways to keep your fours on your car by making it incredibly hard to take the rim off of the tire. Instead of a standard tire iron that is used to remove traditional lug nuts, locking wheel nuts can only be loosed and removed with a unique hand tool similar to a key. Unless a thief manages to get their hands on your nut key, locking wheel nuts will stop a would-be rim robber in his tracks. A further step you can take is using different sets of locking wheel nuts on each rim, each with its own distinct key tool. Never keep your wheel lock keys with the spare tire, or in any other obvious storage spot on your car. Make the keys harder for the thief to find by tucking them into one of the interior compartments or simply keeping them on your person whenever you are away from your vehicle.
Car alarm and tracking technologies have made it more difficult for thieves to steal your rims without being interrupted in the act or eventually apprehended by law enforcement. Careful and attentive habits whenever you park your car also help make you less likely to be targeted by someone looking to steal a set of wheels. Be aware and take the necessary precautions if you want to keep your fours all yours.
* Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net and Danilo Rizzuti