What To Do If You Lost Lug Nut Key

Does your wheel have a locking nut that uses a specific key to loosen or tighten? The locking wheel nut has two functions - hold the wheel tightly against the hub and secure it from theft. It is some kind of insurance for your highly-priced wheels. With a locking wheel nut comes additional responsibility, keeping the lug nut key safe and readily available.

This guide explains what to do if you lose the lug nut key. The frustration associated with losing this key is immense. It implies drivers cannot perform any wheel repairs. The lug nut key may wear out with time or get damaged due to improper handling. As a driver, you should know how to deal with such situations. They happen, and you should not panic - every car problem has a solution.

Lug nut key and locking wheel nuts

A locking wheel nut is a security feature designed to prevent car wheels from theft. Vehicles with these nuts have a single locking nut on each wheel. All the locking nuts rely on one key to loosen or tighten. Lug nut keys were introduced when alloy wheel theft was rampant. Drivers have maintained locking nuts on their wheels even though car manufacturers have shifted to using stock alloy wheels on new vehicles.

All other lug nuts on the vehicle, except the four locking nuts, use the standard lug nut socket. These can be removed and fixed with ease. Drivers can lose or misplace the lug nut key and it gets a little frustrating. Finding a matching lug nut key may take time and a few dollars. That explains why drivers panic once they notice the lug nut key is missing or broken.

Types of lug nut keys

Locking wheel lug nuts are available in multiple designs and sizes. Each lock nut design has preferable security features making it difficult to remove using standard sockets. Drivers can purchase aftermarket wheel locking nuts and matching keys if not fitted by the original car manufacturer. The most popular wheel-locking nuts are:

• Rotating collar wheel locking nuts

• Sheer head bolt wheel locking nuts

• Keyed head wheel locking nuts

The lug nut keys are connected to hexagon sockets on one end while the other end fits onto the special lug nut. Drivers can open or close a locking nut using the correctly sized lug nut key. It means drivers must keep the lug nuts keys in secure locations. If you are driving a newly purchased ride and are yet to repair your wheels, find the lug nut key kept in one of these positions by the manufacturer.

• The glove compartment

• In the boot

• Tool compartments near the spare wheel (or with the spare wheel)

• Under the driver’s seat

• Pockets on the car doors

To keep the lug nut key secure, manufacturers can deliver it in durable packages or plastic boxes. Drivers should return the lug nut keys to designated storage locations upon completing wheel repairs to avoid confusion the next time they need them.

What remedies can one use if they lost lug nut keys?

Mistakes happen - drivers can misplace lug nut keys or forget them at home after a DIY repair. Sometimes they can mix them with other tools and forget. Drivers rarely use the lug nut keys, while some new car owners may underscore their value by leaving them at home. Temporal loss of lug nut keys is no big deal. The driver can spend a few minutes figuring out where they kept them. What happens when the loss is permanent? Perhaps the key was discarded as junk, or the lug nut key is broken and can no longer perform its intended duties.

Losing a lug nut key should not drive you crazy. There are several options that drivers can use to get out of the “sticky” situation. All options come at a cost. The most viable solutions are:

Buy a new lug nut key

The most immediate solution drivers can utilize when they lose lug nut keys is to purchase a new one. While this is an expensive affair, it can help you get out of a messy situation faster. Here is a catch - every lug nut key has a specific identification code. Remember when we mentioned that every locking nut requires a specific key? That is where the code comes in. If you have this code, visit a wheel dealership and request the exact lug nut key.

Where can you find this code? On the package or the box used to store the key. You will be lucky to lose the key but keep the box.

Replacing the locking wheel nuts

Some drivers may keep losing lug nut keys, forcing them to purchase new ones after every few months. If you are the type that keeps on forgetting where they last placed the lug nut key, then this might be the right option to choose. The driver can pop into a wheel repair shop and have all the locking wheel nuts removed, they can replace these locking nuts with standard wheel lug nuts that can be tightened or removed using standard sockets.

Removing the lock nut is no simple task. One has to visit a repair shop where one can use a matching key or proven lug nut removal methods without damaging the lug nut stud or other wheel accessories. Replace the wheel lock nuts with the right lug nuts.

Summing Up

Handling wheels with lock nuts can be a little challenging. The driver has to keep the lug nut key in a secure yet easily accessible location. Drivers can purchase a new matching lug nut key or replace the lock nuts with standard lug nuts. If you choose to replace the lock nuts, engage a repair specialist for precise removal and replacement.

FAQs

What size of lug nut key do I need?

The size of the lug nut key depends on the type of locking nuts used on the wheel. The size is available on the lug nut key package.

How can I get the right replacement lug nut key?

Use the code on the lug nut key package to make an order from the wheel repair shop or dealerships selling car repair tools and accessories.