I am about to acquire a 2021 Honda CRV and I am really concerned its wheels will be stolen. Is this something that will realistically happen or is the issue highly exaggerated? I recently saw a car on my block missing wheels. I’ve read the theives target Hondas?

Also, I’ve read some people replace the OEM wheels with steel wheels, to make the car less desirable to thieves. I don’t have the space to store the original OEM wheels. Does anyone know of a place in DC that would purchase my original wheels and sell me steel wheels?

Comments

twackster t1_jeazhwu wrote on March 30, 2023 at 6:24 PM

#2,494,598

It’s really unfortunate that people have to think about things like this nowadays.

[deleted] t1_jeazme7 wrote on March 30, 2023 at 6:24 PM

#2,494,632

[deleted]

dextroamphetamines69 t1_jeb0c9d wrote on March 30, 2023 at 6:29 PM

#2,494,825

It would be alot easier to buy locking bolts for your wheels.

https://www.amazon.com/Wheel-Locks/b/ref=dp_bc_aui_C_5?ie=UTF8&node=15706751

You replace 1 factory bolt on each wheel with the specialized bolt. The specialized bolt requires a specific tool to remove it.

OhPooForgottheBags t1_jeb0hsy wrote on March 30, 2023 at 6:30 PM

#2,494,874

Buy wheel locks

BenBradleesLaptop t1_jeb0xex wrote on March 30, 2023 at 6:33 PM

#2,494,974

They’ll find your car wherever you park and wheel locks are not an adequate deterrent. On twitter ask @beebodc what he recommends ilo wheel locks.

twackster t1_jeb156w wrote on March 30, 2023 at 6:34 PM

#2,495,032

Replying to OhPooForgottheBags (#2,494,874)

I’ve seen thieves steal wheels off cars that have wheel locks. But it’s better than nothing.

[deleted] t1_jeb1wzp wrote on March 30, 2023 at 6:39 PM

#2,495,223

[deleted]

celj1234 t1_jeb3k42 wrote on March 30, 2023 at 6:50 PM

#2,495,636

Maybe

PowerfulHorror987 t1_jeb48ln wrote on March 30, 2023 at 6:54 PM

#2,495,782

Replying to dextroamphetamines69 (#2,494,825)

They can break through these insanely fast. Won’t stop them.

tomveiltomveil t1_jeb48xx wrote on March 30, 2023 at 6:54 PM

#2,495,792

Wheel locks are very cheap. $20 will get you a nice set of 4. The trick is, when you install them, DON'T remove the original wheel locks. Most Honda wheels have 1 "locked" nut and 4 "unlocked" nuts (so 4 locked and 16 unlocked per car). If you replace the factory locked nut with a different locked nut, you've made things only a tiny bit harder for the thief -- they still need to remove 4 locked nuts and 16 unlocked nuts. If you replace one of the unlocked nuts with a different locked nut, now the thief needs to remove 8 locked nuts and 12 unlocked nuts. Now stealing your wheels will take twice as long -- so the thief moves on to an easier target.

PowerfulHorror987 t1_jeb4e0h wrote on March 30, 2023 at 6:55 PM

#2,495,826

Try rimguard - they make a special kind of lock/cover that protects all of the bolts on each wheel. Other advice: park very close to the curb and turn your front wheels when parked.

Cool_Story_Bra t1_jeb75c4 wrote on March 30, 2023 at 7:13 PM

#2,496,488

Replying to [deleted] (#2,495,223)

Totally wrong. Thieves prefer alloys on very common cars. Civics and accords are super popular targets. Much easier to move them after stealing than high end wheels.

drr71-2 t1_jebadvq wrote on March 30, 2023 at 7:33 PM

#2,497,229

Replying to tomveiltomveil (#2,495,792)

Thieves will crack through wheel locks in less time than it takes to install them. People need to stop telling folks this is any kind of deterrent.

drr71-2 t1_jebaf9e wrote on March 30, 2023 at 7:34 PM

#2,497,237

Replying to OhPooForgottheBags (#2,494,874)

Thieves will crack through wheel locks in less time than it takes to install them. People need to stop telling folks this is any kind of deterrent.

drr71-2 t1_jebawd9 wrote on March 30, 2023 at 7:37 PM

#2,497,363

Yes....it "realistically happens". Lug nut locks don't do shit and can be cracked off faster than you can put them on. Be prepared to lose your air bag as well.

PowerfulHorror987 t1_jebfcz1 wrote on March 30, 2023 at 8:05 PM

#2,498,464

Replying to [deleted] (#2,495,223)

Incorrect. Nearly all wheel thefts in dc are Hondas and Toyotas.

Wheresmycardigan t1_jebhay7 wrote on March 30, 2023 at 8:17 PM

#2,498,998

TBH if you street park it's highly likely you'll scrape your wheels against curbs and get dings etc, it's just a matter of time. It's the reality street parking in a city.

Quicker it happens quicker they make your wheels less desirable than your neighbors car for resale market.

It's the same concept with bikes. Cover your $$$ bike some duct tape, slap on a fake Huffy logo.

AnonyJustAName t1_jebsn5m wrote on March 30, 2023 at 9:29 PM

#2,501,756

Ugh, Hondas have been particularly targeted for theft in DC for decades. I'd get a club too, or better yet, a club, and off street parking. Wheels should not be your only concern, OP.

peterongo86 t1_jed8aek wrote on March 31, 2023 at 4:02 AM

#2,515,250

Replying to PowerfulHorror987 (#2,495,826)

Yes, buy the rimguard locks. Definitely worth it.

gurdlurk t1_jeepzll wrote on March 31, 2023 at 2:03 PM

#2,530,003

Replying to Wheresmycardigan (#2,498,998)

I could be wrong but I thought most stolen wheels were sold for scrap. Popular models get targeted because there is a set price at the shady scrap yards and you get your cash fast. Popular, newer cars get especially targeted because big rims are in style and the standard rims on a new Civic have much more metal then one from a few years ago.

For sure some are resold though. Like my neighbor's escalade's giant chrome rims stolen yesterday I can just picture sitting out for sale at one of those lots on Rhode Island Ave by the MD border.

Wheresmycardigan t1_jees3u0 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 2:18 PM

#2,530,671

Replying to gurdlurk (#2,530,003)

Stock wheels on newer model Honda have value on resale market. Particularly the black ones. I opt not to get a model with sport trim kit with black wheels bc (as I told my sales guy) "it'll totally get stolen in DC".

https://www.reddit.com/r/washingtondc/comments/ugowqk/the_honda_wheel_thieves_are_just_thriving_on_fb/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

I mean I didn't intend to mess my wheels but when you street park on narrow one ways, you try to get close AF to the curb anyways.

gurdlurk t1_jeetjjo wrote on March 31, 2023 at 2:27 PM

#2,531,214

Replying to Wheresmycardigan (#2,530,671)

Haha ok that screenshot is pretty convincing. There is no doubt a lot of demand for em since everyone's wheels have been stolen!

AsbestosIn0bstetrics t1_jeetl5y wrote on March 31, 2023 at 2:28 PM

#2,531,225

Every night after you park it, prop books in front of each wheel. Wheel thieves will get nowhere near those things.