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License Plate Theft
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Jan 12, 2021 07:50:00   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
I've been driving for a long, long time, and I've never had a license plate stolen, nor have I heard of anyone having one stolen. Looking on Amazon, most of the license plate bolts and screws are like locking lug nuts on cars. You need a special wrench to put them on and off. It looks like all the wrenches are the same, so a ring of international license plate thieves would just have to spend $15 for the wrench, and they'd be all set. And no one would ever lose that special little Allen wrench, right?



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Jan 12, 2021 08:03:15   #
Dannj
 
Uh, I’ve changed plenty of license plates over the years so am I missing something🥴?

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Jan 12, 2021 08:19:31   #
sprucemesa Loc: Dallas, Texas
 
Most of the Crackheads that steal license plates aren't smart enough to think of buying a special tool.

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Jan 12, 2021 08:26:34   #
Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.
 
I’m sure you reported it stolen, right?

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Jan 12, 2021 08:37:17   #
Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV
 
I read once that checking your plate in certain high theft areas is a good idea. The idea was that someone steals a vehicle and swaps tags with another car and the owner would never know they had the tags from the stolen vehicle.

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Jan 12, 2021 08:39:52   #
agillot
 
this tool set is available anywhere , the torx allen has a center pin so the regular torx wont fit , so you buy the one that has a hole in middle .

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Jan 12, 2021 08:57:16   #
fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...
 
jerryc41 wrote:
I've been driving for a long, long time, and I've never had a license plate stolen, nor have I heard of anyone having one stolen. Looking on Amazon, most of the license plate bolts and screws are like locking lug nuts on cars. You need a special wrench to put them on and off. It looks like all the wrenches are the same, so a ring of international license plate thieves would just have to spend $15 for the wrench, and they'd be all set. And no one would ever lose that special little Allen wrench, right?
I've been driving for a long, long time, and I've ... (show quote)



I've had licenses stolen twice - Apparently Alaska plates are desired in the Lower 48...

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Jan 12, 2021 08:59:03   #
fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH
 
No special wrench used by the dealers I've purchased cars from, here in New Hampshire. However, when I change out the dealer's temporary plates for my own, I've found there are 7 Phillips head screws and a single straight slot screw. This has happened for three different brands of cars. What's with that? Is this supposed to foil some would-be plate thief who may only carry a Phillips head screwdriver?

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Jan 12, 2021 09:14:10   #
Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York
 
Once a car is stolen, one of the easiest ways to track it is by the license plate. That was a why crackheads steal license plates.
The use of these TORX wrenches make it harder for the garden variety type thief of stealing the plates. So now the professionals steal the plates to sell the cars. Make it harder for anyone to steal the plates by giving the screw a little squirt of Crazy Glue. They will need a jack hammer to remove the screws!!!

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Jan 12, 2021 09:28:36   #
Toment Loc: FL, IL
 
I had my tags stolen once. Had to pay $60 to get a new one. Illinois......

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Jan 12, 2021 12:21:57   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
fuminous wrote:
I've had licenses stolen twice - Apparently Alaska plates are desired in the Lower 48...


Funny! Sort of.

I have plates from all fifty states, but I didn't steal any. I had intended to put them on the walls of my garage, but they're still sitting in boxes. I need more walls!

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Jan 12, 2021 12:24:03   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
fourlocks wrote:
No special wrench used by the dealers I've purchased cars from, here in New Hampshire. However, when I change out the dealer's temporary plates for my own, I've found there are 7 Phillips head screws and a single straight slot screw. This has happened for three different brands of cars. What's with that? Is this supposed to foil some would-be plate thief who may only carry a Phillips head screwdriver?


The two Honda Fits we bought had locks on the wheels, with a hefty charge added to the price of the car. I had them removed. If I want locks, I can buy them for a fraction of the price the dealer charges.

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Jan 12, 2021 14:52:01   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
jerryc41 wrote:
The two Honda Fits we bought had locks on the wheels, with a hefty charge added to the price of the car. I had them removed. If I want locks, I can buy them for a fraction of the price the dealer charges.


And the manufacturer has a clever way of hiding the “key” to the special nut. Had a flat on my wife’s Lexus. Got out the jack and expected to find the keyed socket with the lug wrench along with the jack and tools. Nope. Called the nearest Lexus service department who gave me a list of places to look. Found it carefully packaged in the first aid kit. Of course - obvious, right? Btw, no mention in the manual as to location - looked there first. Btw, I have a whole set of the “anti-tamper” Torx wrenches - they’re used on electronic gear and some parts of my Stihl power tools.

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Jan 12, 2021 16:28:48   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
TriX wrote:
And the manufacturer has a clever way of hiding the “key” to the special nut. Had a flat on my wife’s Lexus. Got out the jack and expected to find the keyed socket with the lug wrench along with the jack and tools. Nope. Called the nearest Lexus service department who gave me a list of places to look. Found it carefully packaged in the first aid kit. Of course - obvious, right? Btw, no mention in the manual as to location - looked there first. Btw, I have a whole set of the “anti-tamper” Torx wrenches - they’re used on electronic gear and some parts of my Stihl power tools.
And the manufacturer has a clever way of hiding th... (show quote)


That's funny - sort of. The aftermarket wheels on my Fit require a thin wall socket, which was included with the wheels. I don't like special tools needed for common jobs.

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Jan 13, 2021 02:10:23   #
AlGreg
 
The plate that I use on my 5 trailers has wing nuts for easy removal.

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