What is the difference between a locking bolt and a locking nut?

A locking bolt is screwed directly into the car’s wheel hub (commonly on European cars such as VW, Audi, BMW and Mercedes). A locking nut is tightened onto a protruding threaded stud/wheel stud (commonly on Japanese and American cars such as Toyota, Nissan, Ford and Volvo).

May I use an impact wrench when fitting locking bolts?

No! The use of a pneumatic or electric impact wrench on locking bolts and the corresponding adapter key is strictly prohibited. This destroys the unique key profile and causes irreparable damage. Always tighten locking bolts by hand only with a torque wrench.

What should I do if I have lost the key for my locking bolts?

With quality sets such as SicuStar a unique key code is supplied on a card. With this code a replacement key can be ordered. Therefore never keep this code in the car!

Locking Wheel Bolts & Nuts

Locking Wheel Bolts & Locking Nuts (Wheel Theft Protection)

Protect your valuable alloy wheels and tyres effectively against theft. With certified hardened steel locking bolts and slim tuner locking nuts you prevent unauthorised removal of your wheels. Supplied with uniquely coded adapter keys.

Maximum Theft Protection for Any Wheel Set:
Alloy wheels and performance tyres are a popular target for theft. By replacing at least one standard wheel bolt or nut on each wheel with a hardened locking bolt or locking nut, the wheel can only be removed with the corresponding uniquely coded key. At **Wheels 'N Customs** we supply both slim tuner locking nuts (such as Japan Racing) for tight bolt holes and certified high-security sets (such as SicuStar) with a rotating outer ring.

Japan Racing Anti-Theft Lug Nuts JR ATN1 Chrome 12x1.5

Japan Racing Tuner Locking Nuts

Specifically designed for aftermarket tuning wheels (such as Japan Racing, Concaver, Rotiform) with extremely narrow bolt holes. Includes slim internal/external adapter key for scratch-free installation.

SicuStar High-Security Locking Bolts

The absolute top tier in wheel security. Made from extremely hardened steel with a rotating outer ring. This prevents thieves from getting a grip with clamping tools or a pipe wrench.

1. Compare: Tuner Locking Nuts vs High-Security Locking Bolts

Choose the right type of protection based on your wheel type and required security level:

Feature	Tuner Locking Nuts / Bolts (e.g. JR)	High-Security Locking Bolts (SicuStar)
Application	Aftermarket wheels with very narrow bolt holes	Standard OEM & wide aftermarket wheels
Theft Protection	Good (Star shape / Internal drive)	Extremely high (With rotating outer ring)
Material	Steel / Aluminium alloy (Various colours)	Extremely hardened Grade 10.9 steel
Replacement Key Code	Generic replacement key available	Unique code card supplied
Suitable for Impact Wrench?	FORBIDDEN (Manual only)	FORBIDDEN (Manual only)

2. Pay Attention to the Correct Fit: Conical vs Ball Seat

Conical 60° (Aftermarket Wheels)

Virtually all aftermarket alloy wheels (such as Japan Racing, Concaver, Borbet, Brock, BBS) use an angled conical seat (60 degrees).

Ball Seat (Original OEM)

Many original factory wheels from the VAG group (Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda) and Mercedes-Benz use rounded ball-seat bolts. Never use conical bolts on these!

Locking Bolts (Thread)

Used when there is thread in the car’s hub. Common on European cars (VW, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, Renault).

Locking Nuts (Wheel studs)

Used when threaded studs protrude from the wheel hub. Common on Japanese and American cars (Ford, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda).

? Binding Installation Instruction & Liability Disclaimer

Locking bolts and their adapter keys have fine, unique security profiles. To prevent key breakage or stripped patterns, the binding instruction below applies:

PROHIBITION on Impact Wrenches: Using an electric or pneumatic impact wrench (air impact wrench) on locking bolts and the adapter key is strictly prohibited. The extreme impact and torsional forces irreparably destroy the hardened pattern.
Manual Installation Only: Always screw the locking bolt fully by hand into the thread and press the adapter key on straight and square.
Tightening Torque with Torque Wrench: In the final step, tighten the locking bolt by hand with a calibrated torque wrench to the manufacturer’s specified torque (usually between 110 Nm and 140 Nm).
Exclusion of Warranty: Damage to the adapter key, the lock pattern or the wheel hub resulting from the use of an impact wrench, cross-threading or exceeding the tightening torque is expressly excluded from the warranty and liability of Wheels 'N Customs.

3. Which Size Locking Bolt / Locking Nut Do You Need?

Check the thread and pitch of your vehicle’s hub in the table below:

Thread & Pitch	Applicable Car Brands (Indicative)	Type of Fastening
M12 x 1.25	Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Peugeot, Citroën, Nissan, Subaru	Locking Bolts & Locking Nuts
M12 x 1.50	BMW (E-series), Opel, Renault, Ford, Mazda, Toyota, Honda	Locking Bolts & Locking Nuts
M14 x 1.25	BMW (F-series, G-series), MINI (F-series)	Locking Bolts
M14 x 1.50	Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Tesla	Locking Bolts & Locking Nuts

4. Frequently Asked Questions about Locking Bolts & Wheel Security

How many locking bolts do I need per wheel?

One locking bolt or locking nut per wheel is more than sufficient to prevent theft of the complete wheel set. A set of locking bolts is therefore supplied as a set of 4 locking bolts with 1 unique adapter key.

Where should I keep the adapter key for the locking bolts?

Always keep the adapter key in a fixed place in your car (for example in the glovebox or with the spare wheel), so that you or the garage have it to hand immediately in case of a puncture or service. Do keep the card with the unique key code at home in your records!

Can I use locking bolts in combination with wheel spacers?

When you fit spacers, you need extended wheel bolts. The standard locking bolt is then too short. When using spacers you must therefore purchase extended locking bolts with exactly the same additional thread length as the thickness of the spacer.

Maximum Theft Protection Hardened steel with unique key code

Direct From Stock M12 & M14 available in Nijkerk

100% Fitment Guarantee Check by registration number & wheel brand

Free Shipping On orders from € 250 incl. VAT

Order Theft-Secure Locking Bolts or Locking Nuts?

Unsure which thread size, length or seat (conical/ball) you need for your combination of car and wheels? Feel free to contact the experts at Wheels 'N Customs!

View All Locking Bolts in Webshop → Contact & Sizing Advice Nijkerk