Stolen spare tire....

[swooopeno]

Add another Chicago stolen spare tire to the list. How about we start a list of the areas of chicago where we have had the tires stolen from. And did anyone have any luck getting theirs back? If not, did you just go buy a new one and a new cable? Mine was stolen when i parked in streeterville for less than 20 minutes.

 

[colinel]

For my 08, I have a 250.00 deductible and my insurance quoted me 1100.00 for total damages. (500 for full size spare and tire + parts + labor)

So if I can figure out a way to get it done cheap, than I can either break even or make a few bucks.

I plan on doing one of two things. Getting a spare from ebay or somewhere else and taking to repair shop for new cable ect and labor so interior warning light goes off.

Or...what I am leaning towards....


Getting a spare from ebay ect/Toyota if I have to, then finding someone I know around Chicago that can turn off my interior light. (yellow exclamation point that goes on when cable is cut) If we can just get that reset, we dont have to worry about repairing cable, since it really serves no purpose. Then getting a big f'ing lock. Let me know if I am misled in that, the warning light really isnt that important.....

Also, do me a favor and file a police report if you havent already!

Thanks

 

[riverider]

Add another Chicago stolen spare tire to the list. How about we start a list of the areas of chicago where we have had the tires stolen from. And did anyone have any luck getting theirs back? If not, did you just go buy a new one and a new cable? Mine was stolen when i parked in streeterville for less than 20 minutes.

Are you saying you had the extra aircraft type cable tying the wheel to the frame, and they cut it also to steal your wheel&tire?

Or you are saying just get a new drop down wheel cable to replace they cut one while stealing your wheel&tire.?

 

[colinel]

I had no cable to protect my tire. The cable that is linked to an interior warning light is what was cut by the theives. Is that necessary to get repaired? Or can I just reset the light? Then I plan on getting my own lock and cable for security.

 

[riverider]

I had no cable to protect my tire. The cable that is linked to an interior warning light is what was cut by the theives. Is that necessary to get repaired? Or can I just reset the light? Then I plan on getting my own lock and cable for security.

I don't have the answer to the cable light.

I am just thinking there must be a interface switch attached to the cable, proving that the wheel is in the up position so the light will be off.

 

[Kmvreter]

... The cable that is linked to an interior warning light is what was cut by the theives... Or can I just reset the light?...

The light you are referring to ("yellow exclamation point that goes on when cable is cut") is not connected to the tire winch position or cable being cut. It is your TPMS light flashing to alert you to a fault, in this case it is missing picking up the signal (for more than 50 minutes of consecutive driving) from the stolen spare. That's why replacing the spare gets expensive. You need a new or used wheel & tire with a TPMS that needs to be programmed to your vehicle in order to reset the light.

 

[colinel]

Theres gotta be a way to have someone reset that light like how there are ways to turn off a check engine light even when there is a still an issue....? Or no?

 

[Kmvreter]

Theres gotta be a way to have someone reset that light like how there are ways to turn off a check engine light even when there is a still an issue....? Or no?

I'm sure you can pay the stealership to get the light reset but it won't help. It'll come back on just like before because you haven't fixed the cause: the missing TPMS. Use a small piece of electrical tape on the bezel to temporaryily cover the light until you get the fix.

 

[swooopeno]

The light you are referring to ("yellow exclamation point that goes on when cable is cut") is not connected to the tire winch position or cable being cut. It is your TPMS light flashing to alert you to a fault, in this case it is missing picking up the signal (for more than 50 minutes of consecutive driving) from the stolen spare. That's why replacing the spare gets expensive. You need a new or used wheel & tire with a TPMS that needs to be programmed to your vehicle in order to reset the light.

Where did you find the info regarding the 50 min. of continuous driving. If this is the case, there is a better chance my spare was stolen from up north in Wilmette as it was parked outside overnight. I drove down to the city in the morning (about 30 minutes) (i did not see the TPMS light), parked in a fairly secure lot for 10 min, then started driving into Indiana. Ironically, about an hour (maybe 50 minutes) after leaving chicago, the light popped on.

If this is the case, I will file a report in Wilmette and not Chicago. Do you think this is a possible scenario?

 

[Kmvreter]

Where did you find the info regarding the 50 min. of continuous driving...
Ironically, about an hour (maybe 50 minutes) after leaving chicago, the light popped on.

If this is the case, I will file a report in Wilmette and not Chicago. Do you think this is a possible scenario?

Yes, that is the likely scenario. I've posted the new car feature pdf file about the TPMS in another thread in the past (search TPMS or winter wheels.) IIRC, the book says 51 minutes but mine comes on around 60 minutes of continuous ON for the IGN after being away from the stored wheels. It resets itself after a period of time of parking in the garage near the stored wheels.

Back to the thread...

 

[swooopeno]

Ok... new thought.. and likely my final thought.

This was my first time in months that I've had the ignition on for a solid hour. I suppose this means that my tire could have been stolen months ago. Hmmm... I guess i won't be filing a police report.

If I ever get a new spare, I'll be checking it regularly.

 

[cashen1]

stolen tire too

I was in Chicago last night from downstate Illinois. On the way home I noticed that my tire light was on. Short version; spare tire cut off in a parking lot. Just a bit of cable hanging down. My dealer told me it is the 3rd one they've seen in past three weeks and all three happened in Chicago. A bike lock may at least send the thief looking for a quicker score.

 

[GregGimbert]

Update on the winch lock. After having it under my truck for 2.5 years i went to finally remove it when I was installing 5 new Destination M/Ts. There were some problems. The first was that the key on my ring would not open it. It had lost its edges from banging around with the other keys to such a degree that it would no longer work. Maybe the key was made with weak metal because my Krypto lock was on my ring for years with no issues ever. After going back home and retrieving the extra from my tool box that one turned the lock no problem but when I went to slide the housing down the post the lock tumbler came out of the housing and then came apart in my hand. Hopefully it saved me from having my tire stolen for the last few years but I would have been in deep dodo had I needed to use the spare in an emergency with the key on my ring. Note to all - check your keys for functionality if they are on your daily ring. Mine looked fine until I compared it to the other that had been dormant in the tool box. I removed my Winch lock entirely. Debating on what to do next.

 

[GMZ]

Update on the winch lock. After having it under my truck for 2.5 years i went to finally remove it when I was installing 5 new Destination M/Ts. There were some problems. The first was that the key on my ring would not open it. It had lost its edges from banging around with the other keys to such a degree that it would no longer work. Maybe the key was made with weak metal because my Krypto lock was on my ring for years with no issues ever. After going back home and retrieving the extra from my tool box that one turned the lock no problem but when I went to slide the housing down the post the lock tumbler came out of the housing and then came apart in my hand. Hopefully it saved me from having my tire stolen for the last few years but I would have been in deep dodo had I needed to use the spare in an emergency with the key on my ring. Note to all - check your keys for functionality if they are on your daily ring. Mine looked fine until I compared it to the other that had been dormant in the tool box. I removed my Winch lock entirely. Debating on what to do next.

Im going to pick one up now that I read this thread. Probably keep a key tucked in with the rods that you use to lower the spare.

 

[Westlooper]

Hey all - new member!

Picked up a 2006 Limited at the end of July & my spare was just stolen this past weekend as well.

I actually had the Motive Winchlock Black Max installed on it and they cracked the rod right off above the lock.

I had this lock on my Explorer for 4 years and they couldn't beat it - they sure can now. Since I am very familiar with this lock set up - the only way I can figure how they did this was to deflate the tire which then gives them room to get their hands above the rim to cut the cable and to spray some freon on the steel rod and hit it with a hammer.

I believe this happened to me while parked on the top deck of the Northwestern Hospital parking lot.

I am at a loss now as to what to do, I need to get a spare, my dealer quoted me $1211 for everything - wheel, tire, winch, pressure sensor and the install. But with out a secure lock set up its going to happen again and I am sure really soon. I could put the new tire inside the truck - but then this defeats the whole purpose of getting the truck for the needed cargo space.

Has anyone come up with a good solution yet?

I have been looking at the heavy ass chains & locks from this company:
http://www.lockitt.com/chain2.htm

I spoke to the owner yesterday, he asked me to take some pics of the underside area where the time mounts for him to see where it could lock to and how much room is there as well as some pics of the time mounted under there which I can no longer do - can any one take some good quality pics of the spare especially how the cable pull in the center - I am not sure where to run a chain even or if one will fit through the center.

 

[Uneek]

Using a chain or cable will mar the finish of the rim. Mine has a little worned mark (you can feel it when rubbing a finger across it) on the rim where the cable rested, the finish has worned out/through.

 

[riverider]

Using a chain or cable will mar the finish of the rim. Mine has a little worned mark (you can feel it when rubbing a finger across it) on the rim where the cable rested, the finish has worned out/through.

I have posted many time that I use a Campbell Cable coiled and plastic Coated that I fished through my spare wheel and across the frame. I use a round type key stainless lock, and it's up high enough to be a real tough place to cut it off.

Best idea I have, and so far it's worked.:hatsoff:

http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u199/photobug4741/?action=view&current=SpareCable084Runner.jpg

 

[Westlooper]

Using a chain or cable will mar the finish of the rim. Mine has a little worned mark (you can feel it when rubbing a finger across it) on the rim where the cable rested, the finish has worned out/through.

I guess I would rather have chain rub then no spare at all.

The ABUS chains I linked above all come with a nylon sleeve over the chain which should prevent any rubbing.

 

[Westlooper]

riverider -

how thick is that cable you have on there?? just from the looks of it in the attached pic - it doesn't appear that it would last very long here in downtown Chicago - but maybe its thicker then it appears.

Motivelock/winchlock - they used to have a big ass cable lock which had the same lock thats on the BlackMax - called the Universal Cable Lock - which lasted 1 week on my old Explorer and it was cut thru like butter one evening.

I still have one of these cables as I use it for locking up my bike around chicago - its freakin heavy as hell and alot thicker then any bike cable I have ever seen. But proven no match for tire thieves.

 

[riverider]

riverider -

how thick is that cable you have on there?? just from the looks of it in the attached pic - it doesn't appear that it would last very long here in downtown Chicago - but maybe its thicker then it appears.

Motivelock/winchlock - they used to have a big ass cable lock which had the same lock thats on the BlackMax - called the Universal Cable Lock - which lasted 1 week on my old Explorer and it was cut thru like butter one evening.

I still have one of these cables as I use it for locking up my bike around chicago - its freakin heavy as hell and alot thicker then any bike cable I have ever seen. But proven no match for tire thieves.

Well looks don't always tell the full story. It's aircraft quality cable, and if you have ever tried cutting them you find they are malleable making the cutting tool slip as the strands keep moving away from the cut. I sold them to the motorcycle bunch for over ten years, and never had anyone tell me that my cable got removed.
If someone has the time with today's battery powered tool's they can cut through any cable lock or chain. But it takes time and most worthless thieving rats just don't want to commit to this much work.

Anyway I am really glad I don't live in a ANTI-FIREARM City like Chicago.:bravo: