The moment I realized I had a special wheel lock lug on my TL, I knew this would be a problem one day. As it turns out, it only took a month and a half.

I've lost my wheel lock key thing that you use to get the special lug off. Now what? Do they sell just the key? Will the dealer remove the special lugs and replace with my normal lugs for free? What is the best thing to do here? Don't want to pay the cost of the locks or something, I don't even want special lugs... I *knew* this would happen, and I even thought of removing the lock lugs but oh well.

I do still have the 4 original lugs that are normal.

 

I lost my wheel lock key and dealer wanted to order a replacement and charge $20. I contacted the manufacturer instead and got it replaced for less than that.

Our wheel lock keys are made by McGard www.mcgard.com. To order, you will need the code from your wheel lock package...hopefully you still have it. If not, you should be able to go to the dealer and they should have a set of keys and should be able to identify which key fits your locks and then you can supply that info to McGard.

Good luck.

 

Yeah I have that package still. Thank you for the info, I have that site bookmarked in case I need to order from them. I have two other things I need to try... one is contacting the shop that installed some things for me, as they must have used it last to remove wheels... and the other idea is to bring it to the dealer and just ask them nicely to change the lugs to my normal ones.

 

The dealer charged me 16 bucks for a new one. After I lost lock the second time I just put regular lugs in.

 

you can use an oversized socket, and a breaker bar. should come off 1 2 3. gotta put some muscle in it

 

I would get a new set of locks, if the shop you got work done at says they don't have it, who knows who does, I wouldn't risk walking up to your car one morning on cinder blocks.

 

This happened to me. I had a 94 Integra with wheel locks. I was stationed in CA but the car was in VA. I got a phone call one morning that said the car was up on blocks. A group of people in the DC area had gotten ahold of a Master Key for Integras. They used it to get into your car, use your own jack and spare, grab the wheel lock and take the wheels. I had my lock in the glove box. Now I have the key for my 05 TL hidden inthe spare tire well... they wont find it this time...

 

Happened to me once on my 4-Runner. Took it in to a shop and noticed when I got home that they had forgotten to give me back the key. Called them and they still had it, so I was lucky. Now every time that I know the wheels are coming off, I make sure after the work is done that that the wheel locks are back in the vehicle. Just something you have to remember to do.

I doubt if Acura has a key for every set of wheel locks they sell. They will either have to order one at their marked up price or do it themselves and grind the heck out of lock and then use a lug wrench or beat it with a hammer/chisel. And then they'll charge you minimum 1 hour labor. Best bet is ordering from McGard. Might be wise to order 2 if you tend to lose them often. I should do the same. Good luck.

 

jmbnova- There is no such thing as a "master key" for all integras. There was a time though when you could just go into a dealership with the vin# and they would cut you a key without making sure the car was yours.

hcekc- They actually do have a master set for all the wheel locks at the dealership. I know because one of the mechanics is a friend of mine and he says they never use the customers wheel lock key.

tzakiel- I am sure if you went to the dealership in the meantime they would probably remove them for you at no charge. This way if you have a flat (knock on would that you don't) between now and getting your new key you won't be stranded or waiting for a tow.

Also any rim shop can remove the wheel locks for you. Either that or use a 12 point socket beat it on and you should be able to remove it that way.

 

uh oh, speaking of wheel lock keys. I'm not 100% sure where mine is either.

I hope the service department used their own key and didn't "borrow" mine.

 

I better hide mine too.

 

See, and I thought the dealer was crazy - he recommended I buy two more - one for the Dash, one for the trunk and one for home. Hmmm, not so crazy it may seem.

 

Update: I found a good shop to do my rear springs. They noticed they would need the key however, and I forgot I had lost it. So they had the tire store next door knock off the locks and even though they said this would cost about 50 bucks, they decided to waive it and I got all that with my rear springs done for $100 even... great shop... CIC performance in gambrills MD.

 

Usually if you loose your key for the wheel you can take a socket and hammer it on to the lug and spin it off with an air tool

 

here's my adventure with missing wheel lock key and the infamous EL42s

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112449

 

dealer has master lock. so go from there.

 

About 15 years ago, I had a car with locking lugs and forgot to bring the key to a tire place. I was leaving the place to get the key (from home) when I saw the installer look at the locking lug, pick up a rubber mallet and hit the lock two or three times (probably to compress the washers). He then secured the jaws of a pair of locking pliers around the lock and turned. Each of the locks came right off. The locking lugs were from McGard.

 

Hmmm, so who has A-Spec rims that live nearby.....

Naw, I'm happy with my stock rims.

 

uh, you may want to change the "secret location" now. lol.

 

It's no secret anyway. The spare tire well is where almost everyone puts their wheel lock key, so it is near the jack and spare tire. So if they want the jack and spare tire they are right there where the key is, and how many places are there to hide it in the spare tire well, which is just a round opening in the trunk?

If they can get into the car to look in the glove box, they can look in the trunk also, as long as the trunk swtich isn't turned off. But even if it is, how hard is it to pop the glove box door?

The purpose of all this? Just to say, if they want it, they will get it.

 

The wheel locks seem like they are more a hassle than a help. The people they seem to be impeding most are the legitimate owners when they really need to change their wheels (on the side of a highway). Theives can always find a key or force the lock with a couple of hammer blows anyway.

I'm planning to get rid of my wheels locks and put back regular lug nuts on. Do I need to jack up the car when I do this (I'll only be loosening one of the 5 nuts at any given time)?

Any compelling reason why I shouldn't get rid of the locks? I got them as part of the "free" dealer protection package. Tried to see if they could exchange them for some other options, but didn't really press.

 

Naidu: It's personal preference if you want to use the wheel locks or not. Depends on where you park and how safe you think it is.

You don't have to jack up the car if you only remove one lug nut. Just don't overtighten. If you don't have a torque wrench, use some judgement when pulling on the lug wrench. Lots of people will flame this, but how often do you see the dealer mechanics or tire shops using a torque wrench when they put wheels back on?

 

Drill a hole into the key, and loop it in you necklace. It will be your new

Ron's right. If the thieves want it bad enough, they will find a way. I would leave the locks on and make them at least work for it. Make em sweat a little and just maybe that extra few minutes will catch the eye of someone who will in turn call the cops.

 

Thanks, Ron. Lug-nut overtightening is one of my pet peeves with some dealers and tire shops. Most air-wrenches have built-in torque limiters, but some (most?) mechanics either set them too high or override them altogether. Plus, I've had to have lugs replaced (on previous cars) due to stripped threads caused by incorrectly threaded nuts -- with an air-wrench you can just force it on.

I agree, wheel locks vs plain lugs is a trade-off between perception of security and inconvenience during an emergency if you misplace the key.

 

I agree, I was just teasing.

 

request keylock at your local dealer = $20 . just buy it

 

word.. well on that last part hah.
My older brother had a TypeR with specials wheels.. well one moring we came down stairs to see his CF hood crack and car jacked on one side, all lugs off the wheel exp the lock.. so we are guessing that it took them awhile to try n remove the lock and got scared by something/someone.. so its up to you if u want wheel lock.. and yea if they want it bad enuf- they will get it.. but it might help if they have something to slow them down a lil ok ill shutup now

 

I can hide my "key lock" in a paper carton and place with glass clears in trunk net. that will take a while for thieves to locate it

 

I broke the key to my Lexus wheel locks (shattered). The tire shop laughed their asses off as they watched me stress telling the story and asking them for help....they removed them no charge...took 5 minutes for all 4. He just said...you cant put these back on you know...(and he didnt have a set to sell me either!) I guess some dumb asses want them put back on? Just buy new ones. They Are Cheap!

That reminds me...I still have to replace those things! Been running on 4 out of 5 lugs on the Lexus...doh!

 

Didn't know you could drive around missing lugs... interesting. Doesn't sound too healthy though.

 

Why not do that, but instead, just put it on your keychain? If you ever need it, you'll probably have your car key with you, along with the wheel key. Get another one too, stick it in your house with a spare key.

Spare keys > * I have 5 keys, one on my keychain, one in my wallet, one with my mother, one with my father, and one on a key rack in the house. I had a dealer cut them from the VIN for less than $2 a piece.

 

Want bad?

I had a grand cherokee 5.9 and it had locks. The dealership LOST the locks and for some reason the master key didnt work. (Jeep) Then they went in back and took out the keys for the 4 sets that are offered, none worked.

So go figure, they had to cut them off. It wasnt pretty, and I was given a nice little rim credit.

 

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want the wheel lock key banging up against my "two boys" down there. Get what I mean? Plus wheel lock keys are not flat. I think you took my post too literally.