Well, basically somehow my wheel lock key is broken and i just bought new Michelin pilot sport A/S plus in 255/40/ZR17 and was trying to get them put on today, and the place i went to couldnt get off the lock nuts, they referred me to a specialty wheel shop who also couldnt get off the locking nut.. so i had to order a key that takes 7-10 days to get here...no dealers are open on weekends here, and being in flight school i dont have time to go anywhere during the day. So basically i have to wait for a week and a half to get the tires put on!! sorry there is my rant!!

 

No bueno....

 

The greatest problemo w wheel key locks are when you get tires rotated, etc.
and the dope head does not put your key back in trunk.
You can then order new to rotate again and wait or worst ...
pay hundreds when you have a flat for towing and for them
to bust the lock.
Moral - Always check for the key after dope head does your tires !!

 

One of the reason why I have them done at the acura dealer. They have their own keys so never need to use mine.

 

yea the key breaks sometimes its a pain in the butt ... i took my car to get new tires mounted too, and the guys their broke my key by over torquing the crap outta my wheels. so its a mix of stupidity between the techs and the crappy key

 

There are a lot of dopeheads at Acura dealer stealerships - also they do use your key and they dont put it back.
Wife has been there ...
When you get a flat and there is no key in trunk - you can always call your dopehead dealer stealer and ... LMAO !!

 

funny since my key is still in the case that has been taped since day one. It is kept on top of the spare tire. I get my tires rotated and balanced there. The service manager informed me they DO use their own key. (yes I do trust him)The main reason they use their own keys is so they do not have to worry about having to put the owner's key back. personally I think my acura dealer is excellent, does not try to sell me unneeded service and does not overcharge.

 

Order and keep and spare key handy like I did.

http://www.mcgard.com/AutomotiveProducts

If you were smart enough to originally register yours, they'll already have your info.
.
.

 

I lost my Key so I hammered a Craftsman 19MM socket into the lock. It took me about 10 minutes to remove all 4. Make sure you use the same socket as in this picture so that it gives you a good grip and be sure to hammer it all the way in.

 

i bought the car used with the locks on it and i just had the key in the glovebox, but i guess the last time i was at the dealership it got broken and i didnt know about it, so when i went to get the tires put on yesterday, they couldnt do it.. I would have registered if i had originally bought the wheel locks, i did however find the paper for the lock in the owners book so i just ordered a new key!!!

 

Future reference put a little bulb grease on the inside of the lock lug so you'll avoid stripping the key and/or the lock too. Also take the locks off before you go to the dealer because they lose the keys and really don't care either plus the use the air gun and they really shouldn't even on regular lugs. I went thru the same issue when my key broke on my integra I went to pepboys and bought a cheap 12 point 19mm socket like suggested early and just hammered them on them took the locks off with no issue.

 

good to know!! thanks bro

 

No prob!! Glad to help a fellow member out!

 

well a nice local Honda dealer hooked me up today, got my locking lugs off while still being able to use them after the fact.. so that was good They also mounted and balanced my michelin pilot sports and did a 4 wheel alignment for only $168 total...and now when my key gets here i can put the locks back on...NICE

 

while going on our 3 cross country roadtrips we stopped at a honda dealer in Kansas, acura dealers in Utah and California to get a oil/filter change and tire rotation/balance. None of the 3 dealers used our key to unlock the wheel lock. They had their own.

 

Glad your problem is solved. Good luck at helo school.

 

thanks bro!!

 

OP, glad it worked out all right. I had a similar scenario and haven't used the locks since. Makes you wonder how effective these wheel locks really are, in theft deterrence that is, if you can easily take them off w/o a key. I say they are more trouble than good. Stay away!

 

I think its a matter of making your wheels less convenient to steal than the next guy's wheels.

 

I hear you, but if they really want it, they'll take it regardless and they wont break a sweat judging by how easy it is to take these suckers off with the right tool they probably have handy.

 

The same thing goes for how quickly a car can be broken into and stripped. I watched a program on tv that showed former car thieves doing their thing. Damn they were fast.

 

i agree with all of that, and you can get the specialty tool from sears that takes off stripped lugs or bolts anyways, there is easy access to a lot of those kinds of tools..If they want my rims then they are going to get them, good thing i live in an apartment complex with a brand new M3 and a few nice Mercedes. haha

 

i had the key break on me too when swapping my aspec wheels with the stock wheels.. i had to take it to the dealership and they were able to remove it for free..

 

Thing is that these locks are meant to be used on the OEM wheels and who would want those. If you service your wheels/tires often then the locks are more of a hassle and more prone to break from constant use. If it's a set and forget deal than the locks make more sense.

 

Heres just a couple quick crappy Iphone pics in the dark of only one wheel...lol







Yes i know that is a lot of Tire Shine, but i sprayed it and didnt wipe off the excess...SUE me!! haha

 

^ Looking good

 

I dont even use wheel locks on my stockies!

 

they came with my car so I kept them on-(did not pay extra for them)