I have a 2006 AWD CRV with only 130,000 miles and fairly new tires. Last night, I experienced a massive flat tire/blowout on the Interstate. After a three-hour wait for roadside assistance, I was towed to a small town tire shop where I left the car overnight nearby. Now, I’m waiting for the tire shop to open.
I know there’s a wheel lock/lug nut key for this car, which I gave to the shop when I had new brakes installed last Christmas. They returned it and warned me not to lose it, but now I can’t find it—I think it’s at home, 500 miles away. How big of an issue is this? Will they still be able to remove the wheel? I urgently need a new tire and to get back on the road.
Don’t panic! While losing your wheel lock key isn’t ideal, it’s a solvable problem. Here’s why:
Tire Shops Have Options: Most reputable tire shops have ways to remove locked lug nuts, even without the specific key. They might have universal removal tools or kits designed for these situations.
Explain Your Situation: Be upfront with the shop when they open. Tell them you know the lug nuts are locked, but you misplaced the key. They’ll likely be understanding and explain their options for removing the wheel safely.
Expect a Small Fee: There might be a small additional charge for using a special tool to remove the locked lug nuts. It’s a fair trade-off for getting back on the road quickly.
Lesson Learned: This is a good reminder to keep important car-related items like the wheel lock key in a safe, easily accessible place in the car itself, not at home. Maybe a glove compartment or a center console organizer.
I’ve found myself in a similar situation before, and I’ve learned that it’s crucial to stay calm and take the right steps to ensure my safety. If I find myself with a flat tyre and no wheel lock key, I know to immediately move my vehicle to a safe location, away from traffic, to prevent any further accidents. Next, I contact a roadside assistance service or a tow truck to help me change the tyre or transport my vehicle to a nearby repair shop. It’s also important to note that many modern vehicles come equipped with a spare tyre and a tire-changing kit, which can be used in an emergency. By staying calm and taking the right actions, I can minimize the risk of further damage and get back on the road safely.
I used a 12-point socket (mine was 22mm), and I hammered it onto the wheel nut to remove it, as some thieves do. You’ll need to buy new ones because it bites into the nut’s sides to grab it, but if you have no other choice, you have to do what you have to.