While rotating my tires, I found out that a tooth inside the wheel lug lock was chipped off and now on my last wheel only 4 of the 5 lugs are tightened.
First off, where can I get a replacement key, and approximately how much am I looking at? Secondly, is it safe to drive with only 4 lugs tightened on one of the wheels?

 

I got my replacement key from McGards. I think they make the OEM ones that the dealer sells. This was 2 years ago, I paid about $15.

http://www.mcgard.com

I browsed through the website for a bit and couldn't find a checkout for keys. It's probably best to give them a call. Talk to someone so they know what car you have. That's what I did back then.

 

I gave them a call a lil while ago and they said it would be 14.99 and it would take 7-10 days to arrive, yet I have 1 or 2 loose lugs because of the fact that the key is broken so I cannot tighten the locks.
But after a lil searchin on here, I saw somebody mentioned to get a "free brake inspection" at pep boys or something, and have them remove them if possible, and then just throw regular lug nuts on there. They are stock wheels and I live in an area with a very low crime rate, so thats not really a concern. Will they be able to remove the lug locks without the key?

 

yes- but not for free- it may take some time or it may take a few minutes
Its NOT ok to drive (very far) with 4 tight lugs of 5, yes it will stay on, but there is an issue of torque on each lug place to keep the pressure centered and spread to the hub
only 3 of 5 and I would not drive at all

at home:
you can sacrifice a socket (or 2) that fits over the lug nut, pound it on and gently try to remove assembly
Or glue it on with gorilla glue and remove with big ratchet/breaker bar

If its really bad they have to use an air chisel and some finesse to grab an edge and get the nut loose

 

The problem is not that the nut is broken or to tight, but that the key is broken and therefore I cannot torque down the nut, only hand tight. So my only option as of now is to go 25 miles to the dealership, have them tighten it up and buy the new key from mcgard for 15 bucks and await its arrival.

 

You don't have the regular lugs that came with the car? I have 4 extra lugs in my trunk, the ones that the locks replaced. You don't have those anymore?

 

Nope..I bought the car used back in September and it came with no manual, paperwork, extra lugs, etc. I did to my surprise have the lug lock though.

 

any tire shop should be able to take off lugs without the wheel lock.
its like a 5or7 pcs case with sockets that have grooves inside that grasp the lug nut after you hammer the socket on.
it completely scratches up the lug nut but it grips the sides and enables you to unscrew it.

i'm sure a couple of guys there would just be happy to finally get to use the tools are ruin some lugs. at all the shops ive worked at i only got to see it used once, and that was on a coworkers civic, because he lost his motegi wheel lock key lol

 

the dealer SHOULD have a key for stock wheel locks, there are approx 5 different ones.

If your only option is drive there to have lugs tightened- CALL and speak with the service MANAGER first- be sure they do have the right tool for the job

OR
go to any parts store and buy 4 lugs in a package, beat the remaining locked lugs off and replace with stock type

 

Just called the service guy at the dealer and they said that parts dept can break out the master set of locks and they will find the right one....Depending on the dealers price I will either pick it up at the dealer, or order through Mcgard.
Thanks for the help guys!

 

Okay, so I just got back from the dealership and they broke the master set out and found me the right one.I bought it for 19 bucks and now I'm set.
Thanks to all of you who chimed in!

 

now THATS an xmas miracle! Congrats

Make sure each lug is re-tightened to 80 foot pounds in the correct order

 

Awesome

 

Theres a correct order?
Even better, I e-mailed Mcgard complaining that something like this should never happen and what not, and to my surprise they are sending me a FREE replacement lock!!!! Now THATS a x-mas miracle.
And to make the holidays better, a bunch of relatively in-expensive at home mods are going to be done over the holidays, like rim and caliper painting, clear/black the headlights, and a LED conversion when they come in!

 

He means the the five lugs should be tightened in criss-cross pattern( like drawing a star)

Not like a correct order in the sense of wheels, like bleeding brakes, if that's what you're thinking.

 

Yeah, I understand that. l0l. I mean the lugs.
Like this?

-------2--------
-4------------5-
----1------3-----

Just imagine the numbers are the lugs.

 

yes- thats the way to go for order
and I go further by bringing the torque up in 3 stages, hand tight with lug wrench -wheel off ground is about 50
Then lower car and using torque wrench bring them each to 70 then each to 80 foot pounds, or some just use 50 then 80

Aircraft/racecar technique/spec is what I use- protects the brake rotors and hub from overtightening stress or unequal stress loading

LOL order- no you must start in the rr and install that wheel- then in a counter clockwise direction around the car

 

And only one wheel per 20 minutes.