My spare didn't have a lock on it. I just found out the other night 'cause someone sideswiped me on an icy road and blew out the left rear tire in addition to putting huge dents all along the side from the back of the driver's door on rearward.

Spare doesn't seem to have rubbed against the frame either, like I've heard from other people.

Dunno what I would have done if the spare was locked the other night, at midnight in freezing rain....

--j., heading off actually to go get the damage appraised by the other person's insurance co.

 

i guess the moral of the story is check your spare regularly and lube that cable!