OEM wheel locks on new Malibu - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

45thCamaro · 08-22-2014, 04:37 AM

So I'm curious to know if anyone has encountered this on a new vehicle. My brother-in-law just got a new Malibu and it came with these red wheel locks from the dealer. When he showed me the car I am immediately noticed them and asked him what they were they looked like locks however they didn't seem to be aftermarket. He said this salesman told him that they were wheel locks from the dealer and I asked him if he had received a key and he said no. We searched the entire car and found nothing. He went back to the dealer the next day and questioned them and they told him that they do not give out keys but if in the event he needed the car serviced Chevy roadside service or a dealership would be able to remove this lock. I stressed to him to have the dealership remove them and install the stock Lugnuts because if he was stuck and couldn't get Chevy roadside service on a certain road he would be screwed and have to pay a private tow truck company to come and tow the car. The Lugnuts are hollow and do not cover the end of the stem like a standard lug nut. Has anyone else encountered these on a new vehicle yet and if you have has anyone received a key with them?

*DGthe3* · 08-23-2014, 07:39 PM

Never heard of that before. I know a lot of dealers will install wheel locks on any & every car they can, but they always give the key (and the regular lug nuts) to the owner.

LS1hawk · 08-23-2014, 07:43 PM

That's crazy. What if I wanted to rotate my tires or work on the brakes in my garage. I would definitely encourage him to go back for the stock ones or the key.

45thCamaro · 08-23-2014, 09:53 PM

Yes I agreed. I told him if he got a flat he would have to be towed to the dealership and have them take the tire off. And if it was on the weekend he could have to wait until Monday just to get the wheel taken off. Very stupid system.

08-22-2014, 04:37 AM	#1
45thCamaro Drives: 2012 Camaro 45th Anniversary RS Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: New York Posts: 2,418	OEM wheel locks on new Malibu So I'm curious to know if anyone has encountered this on a new vehicle. My brother-in-law just got a new Malibu and it came with these red wheel locks from the dealer. When he showed me the car I am immediately noticed them and asked him what they were they looked like locks however they didn't seem to be aftermarket. He said this salesman told him that they were wheel locks from the dealer and I asked him if he had received a key and he said no. We searched the entire car and found nothing. He went back to the dealer the next day and questioned them and they told him that they do not give out keys but if in the event he needed the car serviced Chevy roadside service or a dealership would be able to remove this lock. I stressed to him to have the dealership remove them and install the stock Lugnuts because if he was stuck and couldn't get Chevy roadside service on a certain road he would be screwed and have to pay a private tow truck company to come and tow the car. The Lugnuts are hollow and do not cover the end of the stem like a standard lug nut. Has anyone else encountered these on a new vehicle yet and if you have has anyone received a key with them?

08-23-2014, 07:39 PM	#2
DGthe3 Moderator.ca Drives: 05 Grand Am GT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Niagara, Canada Posts: 25,372	Never heard of that before. I know a lot of dealers will install wheel locks on any & every car they can, but they always give the key (and the regular lug nuts) to the owner. __________________ Note, if I've gotten any facts wrong in the above, just ignore any points I made with them __________________ Originally Posted by FbodFather My sister's dentist's brother's cousin's housekeeper's dog-breeder's nephew sells coffee filters to the company that provides coffee to General Motors...... ........and HE WOULD KNOW!!!! __________________ Camaro Fest sub-forum

08-23-2014, 07:43 PM	#3
LS1hawk Drives: 11 SGM 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: PA Posts: 479	That's crazy. What if I wanted to rotate my tires or work on the brakes in my garage. I would definitely encourage him to go back for the stock ones or the key. __________________

08-23-2014, 09:53 PM	#4
45thCamaro Drives: 2012 Camaro 45th Anniversary RS Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: New York Posts: 2,418	Yes I agreed. I told him if he got a flat he would have to be towed to the dealership and have them take the tire off. And if it was on the weekend he could have to wait until Monday just to get the wheel taken off. Very stupid system.