Wheel Locks MIA. What to do?

[avande1882]

Im new to this forum, and was recommended to post this question here. I bought a 2007 Camry SE about 10 months ago from the dealer. Im not sure if this is relevant or not, but the rims on the car were not factory when i purchased them..they are TSX, which were appealing..ANYWAY...last week I decided to put some new tires on the car. I take it to the shop and the guy tells me he cant take the tires off of the car...I ask him, uh, why not? He proceeds to tell me about this whole wheel lock business. I have never heard of a wheel lock before, but he is describing it as an actual key that unlocks one of the lug nuts on each tire. Ive poked around this forum and from reading some of the posts, it sounds like its more of a special tool that has to be used to unscrew this ONE lug on each tire?? I dont know..either way, I was not told anything about this when I purchased the car, and this guy is telling me that the only other option I have is to break the damn things off if I cant find the "key" to unlock these lugs. Is this right? Do Toyota dealers have master keys or something similar that can undo these lugs? Is my only option really just to break it off since I have no idea what key he is referring to, and as far as I know, in the kit in my trunk there are no special looking tools or keys, and I sure wasnt given any. Would this damage the rims? Very limited knowledge on this kind of stuff..:o) Any suggestions? Thanks!

[bandit]

This wheel lock key looks like a lug nut. It go over the special lug nut. You can see which is the special lug nut. It will have a design pattern on it. I suggest going back to the dealership and let them know about your situation about purchasing the car from them and not having the key.

If it is a Toyota wheel lock, they may have the key. I'm not sure if all their wheel lock keys are the same. The dealership should rectify the situation since they sold you the car and failed to inform you about the wheel lock. If they do have a key that fits, I would request them to either give you the key so you can keep it, remove the wheel lock and replace it with normal lug nuts or if they don't have the key, give you 4 lug nuts since the wheel lock will need to be cut and you cant be driving around with a missing lug nut.

Breaking the wheel lock will not damage your rims but its all depends on how the shop performs it and how careful they are.

This is what the key looks like (bottom left). The wheel locks themselves are shown in the other 4

[Waldosgm]

Originally Posted by avande1882

Im new to this forum, and was recommended to post this question here. I bought a 2007 Camry SE about 10 months ago from the dealer. Im not sure if this is relevant or not, but the rims on the car were not factory when i purchased them..they are TSX, which were appealing..ANYWAY...last week I decided to put some new tires on the car. I take it to the shop and the guy tells me he cant take the tires off of the car...I ask him, uh, why not? He proceeds to tell me about this whole wheel lock business. I have never heard of a wheel lock before, but he is describing it as an actual key that unlocks one of the lug nuts on each tire. Ive poked around this forum and from reading some of the posts, it sounds like its more of a special tool that has to be used to unscrew this ONE lug on each tire?? I dont know..either way, I was not told anything about this when I purchased the car, and this guy is telling me that the only other option I have is to break the damn things off if I cant find the "key" to unlock these lugs. Is this right? Do Toyota dealers have master keys or something similar that can undo these lugs? Is my only option really just to break it off since I have no idea what key he is referring to, and as far as I know, in the kit in my trunk there are no special looking tools or keys, and I sure wasnt given any. Would this damage the rims? Very limited knowledge on this kind of stuff..:o) Any suggestions? Thanks!

:
^^^^ wat he said
lol: look on your glove box comparment, they probably have in there because you are suppose to carry that with you always in case you run with a flat tire... or call the dealer where you bought it from ....

[avande1882]

Thanks bandit. That was really helpful, especially now that I know what this elusive key looks like..Ill definitely check with the dealer today. I hope they can fix this problem...although Im wondering since I purchased the car used, they will say something like the previous owner didnt give us the key..or some crap..we'll see. Thanks again!

[avande1882]

Thanks for replying. I did look in my glove box, center console, and trunk for the key when I was at the mechanics. We both looked actually considering I didnt know at the time what I was looking for. If I do find it, I think I will replace them with regular lugs.

[Cougs57]

Had the same issue when I purchased my car. One spot I never checked is in the trunk by the tire jack. This is a common spot as well (ended being where mine was). Dealerships are jerks about this, but if you bought it from them I would be livid it you do not find it anywhere in the car. Check the spots first before pursuing the stealership.

[murph3699]

I ran into the same problem. I bought mine certified Pre-Owned and it never came with the key. The dealer has a "master" key and told me they would sell me new locks. I told them where to go and left with a new set of locks and a key

[workerant]

Originally Posted by Cougs57

Had the same issue when I purchased my car. One spot I never checked is in the trunk by the tire jack. This is a common spot as well (ended being where mine was). Dealerships are jerks about this, but if you bought it from them I would be livid it you do not find it anywhere in the car. Check the spots first before pursuing the stealership.

I think they suppose to give it to you. You can't put on the spare tires without the key. I did buy a new car with the key lock and the guy handed to use the key, it's in a pouch with 4 regular lug nuts.

[JimBowNut]

Does Certified Pre-Owned mean that a key should come w the wheels?....Or does that just refer to mechanical efficacy of the car?.....Don't know the answer to that.....However, I would call the salesman/woman I bought the car from to see first.....It does seem that should be included......However, if not then you could call McGard at 1-800-669-8788.....I sent a pic of a wheel-lock and they sent me the correct key......Since most used cars are sold as is you may be wasting your time.....I bet though, that if you firmly but nicely asked for the key you would get one......Go to the Service dept. and they will identify it for you unless you have an off-brand.

jim

[bandit]

Originally Posted by avande1882

Thanks for replying. I did look in my glove box, center console, and trunk for the key when I was at the mechanics. We both looked actually considering I didnt know at the time what I was looking for. If I do find it, I think I will replace them with regular lugs.

Originally Posted by workerant

I think they suppose to give it to you. You can't put on the spare tires without the key. I did buy a new car with the key lock and the guy handed to use the key, it's in a pouch with 4 regular lug nuts.

If the car is a pre-owned certified and the original owner didn't provide the key, the dealership can't give you the key. Not to mention, it all depends on how thorough the dealership is. They may just take the car in, check on it and resell right there without looking at the car with a fine comb.

But I would bring up this argument...what happens if you get a flat tire? You don't have the key to change a flat. But the dealership you bought it from should rectify the situation. If not, I would take it up with corporate/headquarters or even the district manager of the dealership if no one is willing to help.

[workerant]

to OP, youtube have your answer.. search and you'll find a way to remove it.

[robtpren]

I would suggest you try to contact the mfg of the rims that are on your car. The "locks" were placed on the car to prevent someone from steeling them off the car while it was parked unattended.
You may also want to try contacing the tire seller "tire rack" on line They maybe able to identify the rims you have, and get in touch with the mfg so it might be possible to get a new "key" for them. If the rims you have have been obsoleted the tool by still be available or the lug nut lock might have been used on more than one type of rim.

Good Luck.

[bandit]

Originally Posted by robtpren

I would suggest you try to contact the mfg of the rims that are on your car. The "locks" were placed on the car to prevent someone from steeling them off the car while it was parked unattended.
You may also want to try contacing the tire seller "tire rack" on line They maybe able to identify the rims you have, and get in touch with the mfg so it might be possible to get a new "key" for them. If the rims you have have been obsoleted the tool by still be available or the lug nut lock might have been used on more than one type of rim.

Good Luck.

OP purchased the car from the dealership. Rim manufacturer would have nothing to do with the wheel locks. Contacting TireRack wouldn't help considering he didn't get the rims or the tires from them. If the lug nuts are not OEM Toyota, OP would have no choice but to get it removed by a tire shop.

[willt]

you could have went back to the dealer and ask them for the key since there the one who sold you the car with the wheels on it

[NinjaCam]

Take out the jack and look all around where the jack is stowed. Also check the jack and lug nut (tire) tool. I have seen them attached to the tire tool and to the jack via wire ties and even wire.

Good luck and hope you find it.

NinjaCam