I'm considering buying a new 2009 accord coupe with the standard alloy wheels. Never having owned alloy wheels what are alloy wheels? Is it recommended to get wheel locks for these? Do these wheels usually get stolen without the wheel locks? I live near Houston, Texas.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
2009 honda accord coupe alloy wheels
- Thread starter Newbie
- Start date
I'm considering buying a new 2009 accord coupe with the standard alloy wheels. Never having owned alloy wheels what are alloy wheels? Is it recommended to get wheel locks for these? Do these wheels usually get stolen without the wheel locks? I live near Houston, Texas.
They are made of a metal alloy rather than steel. Advantages include less unsprung weight which translates into slightly better mileage.
Do they need wheel locks? The professional thieves have the wherewithal to readily defeat the locks. They might slow down the teenage amateurs for a little while. I remember from when I lived in Houston that anything not nailed down and guarded with a shotgun was fair game, so wheel locks might help, but its more likely they would just take the whole car.
I'll bet the dealers automatically put them on all the cars on their lots & then try to sell them with the car at significantly above retail markup. All the dealers around Dallas do this. Since this is sorta sleazy, I always tell them I don't want the locks and won't pay for them. In every case (4 new cars so far) they just give them to me as part of the deal.
I'm considering buying a new 2009 accord coupe with the standard alloy wheels. Never having owned alloy wheels what are alloy wheels? Is it recommended to get wheel locks for these? Do these wheels usually get stolen without the wheel locks? I live near Houston, Texas.
They are made of a metal alloy rather than steel. Advantages include less unsprung weight which translates into slightly better mileage.
Do they need wheel locks? The professional thieves have the wherewithal to readily defeat the locks. They might slow down the teenage amateurs for a little while. I remember from when I lived in Houston that anything not nailed down and guarded with a shotgun was fair game, so wheel locks might help, but its more likely they would just take the whole car.
I'll bet the dealers automatically put them on all the cars on their lots & then try to sell them with the car at significantly above retail markup. All the dealers around Dallas do this. Since this is sorta sleazy, I always tell them I don't want the locks and won't pay for them. In every case (4 new cars so far) they just give them to me as part of the deal.
newbie said:what are alloy wheels?
The rims are made of aluminum metal alloy, of a proprietary recipe.
Is it recommended to get wheel locks for these?
Yes, I would install wheel locks.
Do these wheels usually get stolen without the wheel locks?
If someone needs them yes.
E. Meyer said:I'll bet the dealers automatically put them on all the cars on their lots & then try to sell them with the car at significantly above retail markup.
This is sad but true.
A local (south bay) So. Cal dealer tried to charge a friend's daughter $500 for a set of wheel locks.
Locks like this:
http://payments.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?CheckoutProcessor&item=250371820843&transactionid=0&quantity=1&level=1&editAddress=0&newpurchaseok=0&refererpage=6&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:1160
Will stop the amateur and are something you can install yourself, if you're so inclined.
newbie said:what are alloy wheels?
The rims are made of aluminum metal alloy, of a proprietary recipe.
Is it recommended to get wheel locks for these?
Yes, I would install wheel locks.
Do these wheels usually get stolen without the wheel locks?
If someone needs them yes.
E. Meyer said:I'll bet the dealers automatically put them on all the cars on their lots & then try to sell them with the car at significantly above retail markup.
This is sad but true.
A local (south bay) So. Cal dealer tried to charge a friend's daughter $500 for a set of wheel locks.
Locks like this:
http://payments.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?CheckoutProcessor&item=250371820843&transactionid=0&quantity=1&level=1&editAddress=0&newpurchaseok=0&refererpage=6&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:1160
Will stop the amateur and are something you can install yourself, if you're so inclined.
On 2/14/09 7:37 AM, in article
They are made of a metal alloy rather than steel.
make that typically "aluminum alloy" - steel is a metal alloy.
Advantages include
less unsprung weight which translates into slightly better mileage.
indeed, but the mileage thing is somewhat debatable. steady cruising, the weight differential makes no difference, it's only on acceleration that reduced mass means anything.
the op is more likely to notice a difference in the way the car rides because of unsprung weight as you say, but again, there's a trade-off - steel wheels, while slightly heavier, are more springy, and thus, same tire, same vehicle, are a slightly softer ride. alloys, correspondingly, are stiffer and thus more "sporty".
Do they need wheel locks? The professional thieves have the wherewithal to readily defeat the locks. They might slow down the teenage amateurs for a little while. I remember from when I lived in Houston that anything not nailed down and guarded with a shotgun was fair game, so wheel locks might help, but its more likely they would just take the whole car.
I'll bet the dealers automatically put them on all the cars on their lots & then try to sell them with the car at significantly above retail markup. All the dealers around Dallas do this. Since this is sorta sleazy, I always tell them I don't want the locks and won't pay for them. In every case (4 new cars so far) they just give them to me as part of the deal.
indeed - so-called locks are useless and easily defeated with one of these:
http://www.autobarn.net/emlugnutrem.html
On 2/14/09 7:37 AM, in article
They are made of a metal alloy rather than steel.
make that typically "aluminum alloy" - steel is a metal alloy.
Advantages include
less unsprung weight which translates into slightly better mileage.
indeed, but the mileage thing is somewhat debatable. steady cruising, the weight differential makes no difference, it's only on acceleration that reduced mass means anything.
the op is more likely to notice a difference in the way the car rides because of unsprung weight as you say, but again, there's a trade-off - steel wheels, while slightly heavier, are more springy, and thus, same tire, same vehicle, are a slightly softer ride. alloys, correspondingly, are stiffer and thus more "sporty".
Do they need wheel locks? The professional thieves have the wherewithal to readily defeat the locks. They might slow down the teenage amateurs for a little while. I remember from when I lived in Houston that anything not nailed down and guarded with a shotgun was fair game, so wheel locks might help, but its more likely they would just take the whole car.
I'll bet the dealers automatically put them on all the cars on their lots & then try to sell them with the car at significantly above retail markup. All the dealers around Dallas do this. Since this is sorta sleazy, I always tell them I don't want the locks and won't pay for them. In every case (4 new cars so far) they just give them to me as part of the deal.
indeed - so-called locks are useless and easily defeated with one of these:
http://www.autobarn.net/emlugnutrem.html
which word don't you understand?I'm considering buying a new 2009 accord coupe with the standard alloy wheels. Never having owned alloy wheels what are alloy wheels? Is it
which word don't you understand?I'm considering buying a new 2009 accord coupe with the standard alloy wheels. Never having owned alloy wheels what are alloy wheels? Is it
Michael Pardee
Usenet Archive
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2001
- Messages
- 2,820
- Reaction score
- 0
Or simpler - when a friend was stranded on the freeway with a flat tire and no lug nut lock socket, I called my local Discount Tire. They told me the method they use in that situation: drive on a socket that is slightly smaller than the lock and remove the lock with a regular socket handle. None of the pieces are recognized as "burglar tools." It was about as quick as using the proper unlock socket except it destroyed the lock.jim beam said:indeed - so-called locks are useless and easily defeated with one of these:
http://www.autobarn.net/emlugnutrem.html
I agree - the usual locks are completely worthless.
Mike
Michael Pardee
Usenet Archive
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2001
- Messages
- 2,820
- Reaction score
- 0
Or simpler - when a friend was stranded on the freeway with a flat tire and no lug nut lock socket, I called my local Discount Tire. They told me the method they use in that situation: drive on a socket that is slightly smaller than the lock and remove the lock with a regular socket handle. None of the pieces are recognized as "burglar tools." It was about as quick as using the proper unlock socket except it destroyed the lock.jim beam said:indeed - so-called locks are useless and easily defeated with one of these:
http://www.autobarn.net/emlugnutrem.html
I agree - the usual locks are completely worthless.
Mike
newbie said:I'm considering buying a new 2009 accord coupe with the standard alloy wheels. Never having owned alloy wheels what are alloy wheels? Is it recommended to get wheel locks for these? Do these wheels usually get stolen without the wheel locks? I live near Houston, Texas.
If your roads are anything like those in Houston, you'll probably beat the rims to death anyway. If they have those low, low profile tires, it will ride like a truck, to boot.
newbie said:I'm considering buying a new 2009 accord coupe with the standard alloy wheels. Never having owned alloy wheels what are alloy wheels? Is it recommended to get wheel locks for these? Do these wheels usually get stolen without the wheel locks? I live near Houston, Texas.
If your roads are anything like those in Houston, you'll probably beat the rims to death anyway. If they have those low, low profile tires, it will ride like a truck, to boot.
make that typically "aluminum alloy" - steel is a metal alloy.
indeed, but the mileage thing is somewhat debatable. steady cruising, the weight differential makes no difference, it's only on acceleration that reduced mass means anything.
the op is more likely to notice a difference in the way the car rides because of unsprung weight as you say, but again, there's a trade-off
- steel wheels, while slightly heavier, are more springy, and thus, same tire, same vehicle, are a slightly softer ride. alloys, correspondingly, are stiffer and thus more "sporty".
you really think steel wheels are "more springy" ?
and thus give a "softer ride"?
OTOH,steel wheels don't crack if you hit a pothole.
Or simpler - when a friend was stranded on the freeway with a flat tire and no lug nut lock socket, I called my local Discount Tire. They told me the method they use in that situation: drive on a socket that is slightly smaller than the lock and remove the lock with a regular socket handle. None of the pieces are recognized as "burglar tools." It was about as quick as using the proper unlock socket except it destroyed the lock.
I agree - the usual locks are completely worthless.
Mike
you can also buy "wheel lock removers" at Harbor Freight,to fit impact wrenches. they're like an inverted Easy-Out,same metal as impact sockets.
Tegger (2)
Usenet Archive
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2008
- Messages
- 1,522
- Reaction score
- 0
On 2/14/09 7:37 AM, in article
They are made of a metal alloy rather than steel. Advantages include less unsprung weight which translates into slightly better mileage.
Lower unspring weight is supposed to mean better ride and handling, not mileage.
Theoretically, a lighter wheel assembly means the suspension can more quickly and effectively control road wheel movements with less transfer of motion to the body.
However, I'm not sure the actual weight differential between steel and aluminum is enough to make a real difference, so I think the purpose of aluminum wheels is primarily cosmetic enhancement. Certainly the suspension is the same whether the wheels are steel or aluminum. The wheel/tire assembly weighs approximately 30-35 lbs.
Do they need wheel locks? The professional thieves have the wherewithal to readily defeat the locks. They might slow down the teenage amateurs for a little while. I remember from when I lived in Houston that anything not nailed down and guarded with a shotgun was fair game, so wheel locks might help, but its more likely they would just take the whole car.
In practice, locks do help slow thieves down a bit. Given a choice between locked and unlocked wheels, thieves will choose the unlocked wheels first.
I'll bet the dealers automatically put them on all the cars on their lots & then try to sell them with the car at significantly above retail markup. All the dealers around Dallas do this.
All /retailers/ do this sort of thing, period. It's how they make money. But you're always free to refuse it.
Since this is
sorta sleazy, I always tell them I don't want the locks and won't pay for them. In every case (4 new cars so far) they just give them to me as part of the deal.
You won, then. You did your job as a consumer.
Tegger (2)
Usenet Archive
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2008
- Messages
- 1,522
- Reaction score
- 0
On 2/14/09 7:37 AM, in article
They are made of a metal alloy rather than steel. Advantages include less unsprung weight which translates into slightly better mileage.
Lower unspring weight is supposed to mean better ride and handling, not mileage.
Theoretically, a lighter wheel assembly means the suspension can more quickly and effectively control road wheel movements with less transfer of motion to the body.
However, I'm not sure the actual weight differential between steel and aluminum is enough to make a real difference, so I think the purpose of aluminum wheels is primarily cosmetic enhancement. Certainly the suspension is the same whether the wheels are steel or aluminum. The wheel/tire assembly weighs approximately 30-35 lbs.
Do they need wheel locks? The professional thieves have the wherewithal to readily defeat the locks. They might slow down the teenage amateurs for a little while. I remember from when I lived in Houston that anything not nailed down and guarded with a shotgun was fair game, so wheel locks might help, but its more likely they would just take the whole car.
In practice, locks do help slow thieves down a bit. Given a choice between locked and unlocked wheels, thieves will choose the unlocked wheels first.
I'll bet the dealers automatically put them on all the cars on their lots & then try to sell them with the car at significantly above retail markup. All the dealers around Dallas do this.
All /retailers/ do this sort of thing, period. It's how they make money. But you're always free to refuse it.
Since this is
sorta sleazy, I always tell them I don't want the locks and won't pay for them. In every case (4 new cars so far) they just give them to me as part of the deal.
You won, then. You did your job as a consumer.
Tegger (2)
Usenet Archive
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2008
- Messages
- 1,522
- Reaction score
- 0
74.209.136.83:
Jim, why do you remove crossposting?
Jim, why do you remove crossposting?
you really think steel wheels are "more springy" ? and thus give a "softer ride"?
yes, i really think - i've messed about with this stuff.
OTOH,steel wheels don't crack if you hit a pothole.
nor do expensive forged aluminum - it's only cheapo cast stuff that cracks. academic tho - still can't straighten them. but you can at least limp home.
you really think steel wheels are "more springy" ? and thus give a "softer ride"?
yes, i really think - i've messed about with this stuff.
OTOH,steel wheels don't crack if you hit a pothole.
nor do expensive forged aluminum - it's only cheapo cast stuff that cracks. academic tho - still can't straighten them. but you can at least limp home.
