I've never had locking lug nuts on a vehicle before. My new Ford F150 came home from the dealership with a set of locking lug nuts (I didn't know what they were at first). Here is a picture of one on my tire:



There is a school of thought that suggests that these things won't stop anybody who really wants to steal your wheel. In addition, it can be a real headache changing a flat if you misplace your key. Here is one person on YouTube who suggest only using them on VERY expensive tires:


I'm trying to decide if I should pull them off my tires or not.

I'm guessing this is something that Ford doesn't put on by default (as I didn't see mention of it in my owners manual) and this was a dealer installed item.

I suspect everyone has a different view based on many factors, but I keep my truck in my garage at night and I park it in my work parking lot (which is reasonably safe) during the day.

 

I have seen a lot of opinions on this topic. Most say that if a thief really wants to they can still get them off with a slight more inconvenience than whit no locking lugs. Also if your wheel lock becomes stripped it can be a real pain to get off without some serious tools. Since yours came with them you might as well leave them on unless you really are worried about losing the key or stripping it out.

 

I've had them standard on the last 4 vehicles except for my new 2018 XLT... I am thinking of getting a set for it. People will steal anything.

 

They don't have to be expensive tires/wheels, they only need to be desirable. The Raptor wheels and the 20" Thport wheels come to mind as far as OEM. I've got the Ford OEM locks. Won't stop a determined professional gangster wannabe, but does offer some security from the common everyday POS.

 

In my profession we have a saying "Good security is not convenient."

Every layer of security, in most cases, is a plus.

The ******-and-grab thieves might pass on the truck with the wheel locks and go for the easier truck, without locks, in the next parking space.

Other than that, those locks will not stop a real thief.

 

Don't worry, after a few tire rotations with an impact wrench nobody will be able to get off you deformed factory lug-nuts

 

I got a set of Gorilla nuts with the locking nuts. I like theirs better than the old school key types that strip and bend. Uses a socket that covers the entire nut.

 

I've been going through the same process. I'm seriously considering going with McGard's spline drive series. They're inherently anti-theft in their design... it's unlikely most thieves are going to have the right spline-drive tool. And they are physically superior to the locking lugs.
http://www.mcgard.com/product-search...le_category=24

 

 

Read your window sticker, or paperwork. Dealer-installed items are not on the window sticker, and should be listed on your bill of sale. Hope you didn't pay for paint treatment, nitrogen filled tires, ...