Table of Contents
- View The Best Wheel Locks Below
- 1. Trimax TCL65 Wheel Chock Lock
- 2. Mophorn 2pcs Stop Lock Pro
- 3. Gorilla Automotive 61631 Acorn Gorilla Guard Locks
- 4. TOYOTA Genuine Accessories Wheel Locks
- 5. VaygWay Tire Clamp Wheel Lock
- 6. McGard 24157 Chrome Cone Seat Wheel Locks
- 7. OKLEAD Heavy Duty Wheel Clamp Lock
- 8. Zento Deals Security Tire Clamp
- 9. Honda Automotive Accessories
- 10. DPA Accessories Chrome Wheel Locks
- Wheel Locks Buyer’s Guide
Given that you worked hard to buy your car, and you continuously shell out your hard-earned money to buy quality vehicle accessories, there’s no doubt it’s among your most prized possessions. Unfortunately, car thieves don’t consider this and will steal it in a heartbeat whenever the opportunity arises. If they can’t drive away with it, they’ll probably take the wheels.
While it’s possible to recover it after it is stolen, the process is pretty hectic. Besides, why wait until it’s stolen when you can deter car thieves with wheel locks? They not only prevent car thieves from driving away with your new car but also its wheels.
View The Best Wheel Locks Below
1. Trimax TCL65 Wheel Chock Lock
The Trimax TCL65 took the top spot on our list of 10 best wheel locks for all the right reasons. Other than being a universal fit, this Trimax wheel locks features built-in chock so it clamps tightly on your car’s wheel and completely immobilizes it such that no one can drive or tow it away. Its lock cylinder comes with two-wheel locks making it pick-resistant as anyone trying to pick it needs both keys.
This stoplock pro is also designed to offer utmost durability as it boasts hardened steel which is not only durable but also powder-coated, so you need not stress about corrosion. What’s even better, you need not worry about the wheel lock damaging your wheels as it has rubber-coated arms.
Pros:
+ Features a lifetime warranty for quality assurance
+ Built-in chock to completely immobilize it
+ Pick-resistant lock cylinder
+ Incredibly durable design
Why We Like It – The Trimax TCL65 takes your car’s security a notch higher thanks to its built-in chock design, which prevents rotation. We also like that it boasts incredible durability thanks to the heavy gauge powder-coated steel.
2. Mophorn 2pcs Stop Lock Pro
When they target your vehicle, thieves will do anything not to walk empty-handed. If they’re unable to drive away with it, they’ll probably try to take off with its wheels. This Mophorn wheel lock is to designed to ensure they not only walk away with nothing but also discourage them from even coming near it. It’s highly visible and features heavy-duty lug nuts to prevent both tire rotation and removal. As a hardened steel heel lock covered with a powder coating, its durability is guaranteed, and it also goes on easy.
Pros:
+ Universal fit
+ Pretty easy to install
+ Rust and weather-resistant
+ PVC covered to prevent damage to your wheels.
Whay We Like It – This Mophorn Wheel lock not only locks your wheels but also prevents rotation by locking lug nuts. The car can only move if one has a key. Also, it’s made from hardened steel yet quite gentle on your vehicle’s wheel, thanks to the PVC coat on the clamp.
3. Gorilla Automotive 61631 Acorn Gorilla Guard Locks
Gorilla automotive is a brand known for its array of top-shelf automotive products, and this wheel lock lives up to this reputation. To start with, this Acorn Gorilla guard is pick-resistant. Its locking lug nuts come in four sets. Each requires a different key to unlock, which means even if someone manages to pick one, they have three more to go and without a key for each, this is impossible.
Also, we doubt anyone can manage to unlock even one lug nut because it doesn’t just open the moment you insert the key. You’ve to rotate it until it syncs with its internal key portion. Gorilla automotive lug nuts feature a triple chrome plating finish. This makes them both aesthetically pleasing and quite durable as it protects from rust and weather elements.
Pros:
+ A strong, unique key to lock mechanism
+ Elegant yet durable
+ Easy installation
+ They feature a great price.
Why We Like It – The most notable feature about the Acorn Gorilla guard is its key to the locking mechanism, and we’re here for it as well. It discourages any car thief from continuing with their mission.
4. TOYOTA Genuine Accessories Wheel Locks
If you’re looking for the best wheel lock for a Toyota model, then the Toyota Genuine wheel locks might just be it. It boasts an elegant chrome finish not just for aesthetic purposes, but also for superior corrosion resistance. The installation process is pretty straightforward, yet it offers high-level protection as it features precision-machined steel, hence impossible to cut and remove. You’ll also love that they feature a collar guide and a critical tool, which makes the lug nuts quite easy to install. You also need not worry about balancing as each lug nut is weight-balanced already.
Pros:
+ Seamless installation
+ Durable, corrosion and rust-resistant build
+ No need for tire rebalancing
+ Perfect fit for Toyota Vehicle.
Why We Like It – Other than being especially accustomed to Toyota cars, this high-quality wheel lock product comes with weight-balanced locking lug nuts, which eliminate the need for a rebalance. They also feature a very durable, nickel-coated overlay.
5. VaygWay Tire Clamp Wheel Lock
Suitable for anything on wheels, the Vaygway tire clamp made it to our best wheel locks list thanks to its superb features. It features a striking red-yellow color combination, hence discourages vehicle thieves from even attempting. Also, it comes with two keys, so if anything happens to one key, you’ll use the other key as backup. It clamps tightly on your vehicle’s wheels, and on top of that, it has excellent quality.
Pros:
+ Easy installation
+ A universal fit
+ PVC coating prevents marring on your car’s wheels
+ Highly visible
Why We Like It – Apart from being highly visible, this car wheel lock boasts impeccable durability thanks to its ABS build. We also love that it offers your vehicle an extra layer of protection without damaging your wheels thanks to its PVC coating, and it comes with a spare key.
6. McGard 24157 Chrome Cone Seat Wheel Locks
As with all the auto brands on our list, McGard is also reputable, especially when it comes to vehicle accessories like wheel locks. This McGuard cone seat, to be precise, is one of its best-sellers and for all good reasons. It stands out from the rest on our best ten guard locks list, and even the market as each lock features a computer-generated key pattern. What this means in a layman language is you can set any key pattern you like best, making it impossible to duplicate. What’s more, it comes with five wheel locks, which leaves you with an extra one for your spare tires.
Pros:
+ Computerized lock- key pattern
+ Corrosion and rust-resistant design
+ Different key hex sizes for ease of installation and removal
+ Features storage pouch
Why We Like It – McGard Cone seat wheel locks are pretty tech-friendly. As noted, they come with five locks, each featuring a computerized key pattern. This enhances security as you get to create a unique key pattern that only you know. Also, it has a nice chrome plating finish.
7. OKLEAD Heavy Duty Wheel Clamp Lock
Ideal for 13 to 17-inch wheels, the OKLead adjustable wheel lock is made of heavy-duty steel, so any attempt to cut through it becomes hard and impossible. It is also quite visible, which means it discourages anyone with the intent to steal your vehicle from attempting to do so.
With 16 fully adjustable wheel locks, you can adjust its tightness, so it covers and clamps the wheel lug as tightly as you want. This, in turn, makes any drive-away or towing attempts futile. What’s more, is that it does this without damaging your car’s wheel as it features a soft foam.
Pros:
+ Hardened steel construction
+ 16 fully adjustable lock holes
+ The soft foam prevents wheel damage
+ Highly visible design
Why We Like It – For its price range, this wheel lock sure boasts not only a durable heavy steel build but also adjustable wheel locks so you can set it as tightly as you deem secure.
8. Zento Deals Security Tire Clamp
Perfect for your SUV, RV, ATV, or even a truck, this Zento deal will offer you value for your money. This is in large part because it has an incredibly durable ABS build, making any attempts to cut it futile. At the same time, it’s also quite visible thanks to its bright colors.
Surprisingly, it’s quite lightweight and has a soft coat to prevent wheel damage. It wraps around the wheel’s lug tightly, making it immobile and preventing any drive or tow away efforts. It comes with a spare key, so you have a backup in case you misplace or break one key.
Pros:
+ Striking red-yellow colors for high visibility
+ 2 keys for convenience
+ Easy to install
+ Durable build
Why We Like It – Despite being highly durable steel, this high-quality wheel lock is pretty gentle on your wheels thanks to its soft coated handle. We also found it surprisingly lightweight, and we love that it comes with two keys.
9. Honda Automotive Accessories
Honda is among the most respected, most trusted automotive brands for its epic-quality auto products. Therefore, you can be confident that these guard locks won’t disappoint. Specially designed for Honda cars, these wheel locks feature a hardened steel build, making them pressure resistant.
Therefore, you need not worry about someone cutting through them and walking away with your freshly installed wheels or even worse, driving away with your vehicle. Similar to all lugs, they’re pretty easy to misplace, but the company has taken care of this by providing a storage pouch. They have a chrome finish for rust resistance and feature a pretty gentle price tag.
Pros:
+ Enhanced stainless steel build
+ Chrome-plating offers aesthetic appeal and rust-resistance
+ Feature a storage pouch to prevent misplacing
+ Specially designed for Honda models
Why We Like It – Besides the fact they’re made by Honda for Honda, these guard locks are pretty durable. We also like that the manufacturer cares enough to offer a storage pouch so you can avoid misplacing the lug nuts.
10. DPA Accessories Chrome Wheel Locks
Closing our list of ten best locking wheel gadgets is this DPA Accessories chrome wheel lock. The most outstanding feature about DPA locks is they’re all made out of cold forged heat-treated steel. Hence they boast superior toughness. On top of this, they have a chrome plating for corrosion and rust resistance. They come in a four-lock package, each with its key.
This means you need not worry about a duplicate key because even if a person manages to get one(which is highly unlikely), they need three more to unlock these lug nuts. Unlike most wheel locks that have a chrome plating, these lug nuts come in a black coating, which tends to look good and also highly visible on lighter alloys.
Pros:
+ Cold forged and heat-treated steel makes them durable and pressure-resistant
+ You may opt for either a 4 or 5 lock
+ Black lug nuts against light alloys make them highly visible
+ Rust and corrosion-resistant build.
Why We Like It – This product is designed to offer you years of protection thanks to its durable steel build. We also like its unique key to lock combination and that it provides an extra layer of car protection at a pretty pocket-friendly cost.
Wheel Locks Buyer’s Guide
If you looked up the best wheel locks right now, you’d get a plethora of products from brands you never even knew existed. This not only leaves you confused but also increases the chances of you buying a wheel lock, not worth your money. You can avoid making such a mistake by considering the following.
Lock Type
As you may have noticed by now, there are different types of guard locks. However, the most common are wheel clamps and lug nuts. Wheel clamps, also known as boots, are usually placed around one of the tires. Some wheel clamps have a lock while others don’t.
They are incredibly effective and will clamp tightly on the wheel, so it doesn’t rotate. This means the vehicle cannot be moved at all unless the clamp is removed. Although they are effective, flattening the tire may make it easy to remove the clamp. Nevertheless, this takes a lot of work, which tends to discourage car thieves.
With a locking lug nut such as Gorilla Automotive, on the other hand, you attach a lock to each wheel. These can only be removed using a unique key that comes as part of the package. Lug nuts also have a fancier exterior and are a pretty popular option among vehicle owners. They are, however, pretty expensive, but considering the value of your car, they’re worth investing in.
Other popular types of wheel locks include alloy wheel locks and spline drive. All the mentioned types of locks have definite advantages but also bring with them a few disadvantages, and as such, it all comes down to the one that fits your preference.
Compatibility
Nothing sucks like spending your time and hard-earned money only to purchase a locking wheel device that doesn’t fit your model. Therefore, before clicking that add to cart button, ensure the wheel lock is compatible with your vehicle’s model.
For instance, if you have a Honda or Toyota model, you can opt for the custom-made wheel locks noted earlier. Alternatively, you could opt for a universal fit. This is especially a good idea if you have several rides as you can use the wheel locks to secure each one of them whenever you are out in public. 3.
Ease of Installation
The reason why you are getting wheel locks or a steering lock is to secure your vehicle and not make your life hard. With that said, also consider the installation process of the one you’ve been eyeing. If you buy a lock and find that it has a complex installation process, you’ll be less likely to use it because you’ll hate all the locking wheel work involved. This leaves your car exposed to thieves, yet you’ve already invested in a wheel lock. In that light, you want wheel locks that’s easy to install and remove.
Visibility
While shopping for the best wheel lock, you must consider the visibility. This works in two ways. That is, you can opt for one that’s visible from miles away or a hidden one. A visible one like the locks outlined on our list is always a good idea as it discourages the thief from even attempting anything and, as such, prevents them from doing anything that may damage it.
A hidden lug nut lock is also a smart approach to securing your car as the thief will approach the vehicle, thinking it’s an easy catch only to discover the locks. This gives you a chance to catch them or call the cops on them while they try to figure out how to remove the lug nut locks.
Wheel Lock Complexity
Car thieves will always come up with new techniques to get their way. For instance, there have been countless reports of thieves using a universal key to unlock wheel locks, especially those that feature a locking lug nut. The rule of the thumb is to opt for one with a complex lock mechanism.
For instance, to open the earlier mentioned acorn gorilla guard, one has to ensure they align each key with the internal lug nut portion. This means no universal key can unlock the Gorilla automotive wheel lock.
Durability
A wheel lock might have a complex locking mechanism to prevent a universal key from opening it, but what if a car thief tries to cut through it? Therefore, make sure you also consider the build of the lock. Opt for one with a heavy-metal build such as steel. At the same time, go for a lock that’s both rust and corrosion resistant, and while at it, if it’s a clamp, make sure it has a soft-coat, so it doesn’t damage your expensive car wheels.
Price
As much as you value your car, you again don’t want to break a bank on wheel locks. At the same time, you don’t want to go too low as you’ll end up spending on a lock that doesn’t in any way secure your car. Go for one that gives you the best value out of your money, such as Trimax, Gorilla automotive, McGard cone seat, and others outlined on our wheel locks list.
Benefits of Using a Car Wheel Lock
If you’re still unsure of whether to make that purchase, here are some excellent reasons why you should do so right away
Prevents Car or Wheel Theft
At its core, a car wheel lock is meant to prevent car theft. It does this in two ways; it either discourages the car thief from attempting anything or makes the process so hard, they either give up and walk away, or you will find them in action. Put it simply; wheel locks make the life of anyone attempting to steal your ride or sparkling new rims so difficult that they end up looking elsewhere for easy targets.
Peace of Mind
Anything that brings you peace is worth its weight in gold, and wheel locks do just that! You get to go about your business during the day and even night without having to stress about walking out to a missing car or missing wheels, and as you know, fewer worries equal a healthier and happier you.
Wheel Locks are Affordable than New Cars or Rims
At the end of it all, you cannot compare the cost of buying car wheel locks, with the cost of purchasing a new car or the amount of money you’ll have to spend on a set of new wheels. Don’t forget when they steal your car; these thieves will drive away with everything in it, including valuable documents or even money and other valuables. Add in the distress that comes about when you walk out of wherever you may have been and finding your car placed on stones or an empty parking spot, and you will understand the essence of wheel locks.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wheel Locks
1. What to Do In Case I Misplace My Key
Most wheel locks require a unique key so you can install or remove them. This makes keys incredibly crucial, and you should always take utmost care not to lose them. Opt for a lock with a spare key, but if you misplace both, you can always call your manufacturer to get another key set made.
2. Which is the Best Lock?
There is no short answer for this because each lock whether a steering wheel lock or a lug nut features its unique perks and at the same time, has a few cons. It all depends on what you are looking for as well as your budget. However, one thing we can assure you is that the locks on our list from Trimax, Gorilla automotive to the McGard cone seat a worth the money. So, find one that meets your preferences.
3. Can I Use One Wheel Lock for Different Cars?
It depends. If it’s a universal fit as with most on our list, then you can use it on different cars. But if it’s specially customized for a particular car model, then you can only use it on the specified brand’s car models.
Conclusion
Car wheel locks are an incredibly essential accessory that every car owner, whether or not you drive a lot should have. They offer an extra layer of protection that even other car-theft deterrents cannot. Sure, you can install a car tracker, but that doesn’t help as it can always be removed and if not, the process of recovering your ride is pretty time and money consuming. Save yourself the headache and invest in a quality lock such as the ones outlined on our list of 10 best 2022 car wheel locks above.
