Severe winter tire shortage - Try Kijiji or Cr. list.

[GTA refugee]

The value of having your tires etched is minimal if it is not widely know that tires are marked with identifying numbers or marks. Marking a tire is only a deterent when it is widely used, and know to the public, theives and the buyers of stolen goods. The value of stolen goods are reduced when there is a danger that the theives or buyers of the stolen goods will be caught.

On the matter of wheel locks, I was told that they are not as effective on steel wheels and can easily be removed becuase they are not recessed into the wheel like they are in alloy rims. I am installing 2 sets of wheel locks ( one set retained from my last car before the trade ) on my steel wheels, as this will slow them down or may deter the theives from stealing the winter tires. I have also installed an alarm system in the car and flashing LEDs to warn off car and tire theives.

 

[mtwallet]

Please forgive my ignorance. If you can sandblast the serial number INTO the tire; Why can't I sandblast it OFF when I steal it? Or use a razor blade since I'm too cheap to buy a sandblaster. "The scuff mark on my tire Officer? I guess my wife hit the sidewalk again."

Seriously, the lock nuts are a great idea. An alarm with a level sensor is just as good.

It should be interesting to see if there are a rash of appropriate equiptment thefts too. "Calling all cars...Be on the lookout for a man carrying a Motomaster floor jack and cordless impact gun. The suspect should be considered tired and sweaty."

 

[GTA refugee]

This is all hypathetical since no one is doing etching on tires, but if it is done then the true deterent value is in that everyone knows that tire etching is availible and if you are caught with marked stolen goods you can get into trouble. ( for theives or for buyers of stolen goods ) I would think that if you were etching tires you would line up all 4 tires and sand blast a 1 in. high serial number into the tire at the 6 o'clock position and 2 more 1 in. diameter marks ( eg. larlock / sherlock brand markings ) at 2 and 10 o'clock to indicate that the tires have been marked. If the theives try to remove it, they will have to remove 12 marks all at the same places on the tire. The vast majority of tires on the street will not be marked, the theives will move on to a car that has unmarked tires.

I once saw a car that was up on blocks with the tires missing. The police were taking the report with the owner of the car. I suspect that when the tires were stolen, it was 2 or more people ripping the tires off.

 

[metoo4]

GTA, you're saying it yourself: ...no one is doing etching on tires... There must be a reason?

For any thief, time is what matter: it will likely not be one guy alone, it can certainly be 4 guys with 4 portable impact and 4 jacks. At over $1000 worth for a set of 4 wheels and tires, it can be sold back at $500 easy.

All tires sold nowaday have serial numbers. Look closely. It's usually close to the rim, on a small oval flat surface about 1/4 inch high and 3 inches long. It's a legal requirement intended to identify tires in case of a recall. That's one way my tire dealer identify my tires when I leave them in storage. That's how warranty is applied, ensuring somebody doesn't buy tires and come back later saying he has problems while coming back with an different set. When purchasing tires, a card will often get filled containing this information. Does that help prevent tire theft? Not much!

 

[GTA refugee]

To say that something is not done now is not worth doing is a defeatist attitude. It takes 2 guys in a pick up truck 1 hydralic jack a 4 cinder blocks and 2 cross wrenches to steal 4 tires. ( I doubt they would use power tools as it would make too much noise ) I have seen cars on blocks on the streets 3 times, and there have been multiple reports of tire thefts recently, how many times has it happened that you did not hear of? I suspect that the theives take orders for tires that fit a specific model of car before they even steal the tires. Tires do have serial numbers on them, but they are on the inside of the tire. ( my tires are unidirectional and they are on the inside, maybe, there may be other tires that are bi-directional )

Tire etching can be done by any garage or auto electric that has a compressor, all it takes are a few stencils and a media blaster that can be bought for as little as $30. It is a good add on business. Having etching on your tires does not stop your tires from being physicaly stolen, but it is much more trouble for the thief as well as the buyer of the stolen tires. There will be less demand for the stolen tires and it will fetch a much lower price for the thief. A thief will go else where if he knows your tires are etched.

 

[metoo4]

GTA, I never said it was impossible, only unlikely to be ever used or Sherlock and al would be doing it already. If it's not done, there must be a reason or two. It's not like this idea is totally new and out of this world after all, there's no way nobody else ever tought about it before!

There's a difference between surrending to a loosing attitude and understanding the logic of business.

I had a few cars with Sherlock markings, all with mags and high performance tires. Sherlock never suggested marking the tires and were even prohibited to mark the alloy wheels because doing so would have void the wheels warranty. Everything was marked: windows, engine, lights, even the transmission but, never the tires.

Now, ok, let's end this, you win! That the best idea since sliced bread. Go ahead and start you tire-marking business. If you don't void anybody's tire warranty or get sued for killing somebody because of a dammaged tire, maybe you'll make a fortune since you'll apparently be one of the only, if not the only one in that line of business.

 

[Regis Philbin]

Tire etching is availible.

Where there is a buck to be made, someone will do it. I was at a car dealer this week,and they are offering to etch your licence plate numbers into your winter tires.

 

[JH Fan]

Bah don't care about the law.
Just bought myself one of these :
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2008-02-15-squba-car_N.htm

Should get them to 'se creuser l'coco !'

 

[GTA refugee]

South African anti-theft system:







http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDrzMGdYWZc

 

[metoo4]

Bah don't care about the law.
Just bought myself one of these :
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2008-02-15-squba-car_N.htm

Should get them to 'se creuser l'coco !'

What are you going to do with this toy when water is all frozen, IN WINTER!

 

[JH Fan]

Man ! as a true Elvis Graton's disciple I will of course get my a** down south in Florida ! down to see lé zamaricain ! YEAH !