Lost lug key

Sometimes they put it in the side cubby by the drivers door. otherwise go back to where you got the tires done. They should have yours or one identical. Or maybe they can tell you where they put the lock.

 

Worked at Americas tire/Discount tire. We never had keys we always used the customers. That being said we always would just put them in the paperwork and hand them to the customer at the end of the service. All I can tell you too look is glove compartment, center console, and wherever your spare tools are. Maybe the side pockets on the doors. Those were all the places I looked when a customer didnt know where their key was. However if you still cant find it, Americas tire/ discount tire will break off wheel locks for you. We had special tools just for this, that way you dont have to damage your own sockets. And yeah dont listen to that stores run around. If we ever did forget to put wheel keys back we put them in a tub that was used only for that reason.

 

It was a firestone shop. Have looked again today in all cubbies and door pockets. Thanks for all the suggestions.. I’ll update when I decide what I’m going to do

 

Like others have said. Go back to the shop and nicely explain that you can’t find the key that was there prior to getting tires. Ask the service guy to ask the tech who did the work to tell you where he may have put it and check that spot. If not there ask him to double check his tool cart to see if he accidentally put it in there along with his socket. The key is to be nice and respectful while being firm and not coming across as being too passive. If this doesn’t work be patient, contact the dealer/ mfg and get the right tool and don’t resort to chiseling or anything like that. Also, others recommended getting rid of the locks- I agree. They cause more aggravation and problems than the issues they are designed to prevent. Now a days if someone wants your wheels bad enough the whole truck is getting stolen anyway.

 

I have regular lugs on my summer tires and someone tried stealing them. They sheared off one lug and the others were loose, it happened in a Walmart I believe because thats the only place I went that day. I noticed I was getting a clunk sound from my front drivers side wheel and checked my lugs to find one stud missing and one lug gone, the rest were loose on that rim. The other tires were not messed with.

 

better yet ask them to rotate your tires. Theyll ask you for you wheel key and explain to them how you havent moved it since the last time they worked n your truck. Im sure they wil find your key, if not a replacement.

 

Good call

 

When I had my Pacer wheels installed on my truck way back when, I got 4 lug locks because each wheel came with a full set of lug nuts since they were different then the stock lugs.

 

Well I stand corrected. I just figure the time it would take to remove 24 lug nut in public (with lots of cameras) would take much more time than just taking the whole vehicle to shop where the wheels along with many other parts can be stripped from the vehicle. I hear air bags are a hot item these days.

 

This

 

It would have been a bad day for them if I'd caught them...Someone must have scared them off though otherwise I'd have a wheel missing...

 

Yeah sounds like someone in your area hit a curb or bad pothole and damaged 1 wheel. It would be funny to post a Craig’s list ad for a free wheel and seeing the look on the guys face if he showed up. If he did I think his reaction would make it obvious to you. Sorry I know this thread has gone a little off topic- my last reply.

 

My dad had this same thing happen when I was younger. Happened at a middle school parking lot. Sounded like a flat tire

 

I keep teh key in my left shoe directly under the heel. HEY!... maybe that is why i walk around like Festus from Gunsmoke....

 

Dealership will have the key, its nunber 354 if you are tryna order a replacement. Multiple yool brands also sell stripped lig removal kits that are turbo sockets made for multiple types of lugs and sizes. 5 minute job wih the right tools!

 

I had a similar experience at Firestone except that they stripped my key. I think the guy had an impact wrench (why on a wheel lock) in tighten to loosen the lugs and destroyed the key. I always torque the lugs by the way. They told me they could not get them off, I would have to go to a dealer and come back when removed. They had no way to remove a lock, "corporate policy", they said. Well, I went home ,hammered on a 12 point socket, removed all the locks and threw them out. I got new 4 new standard lugs from Toyota and Firestone paid for them.

 

Years ago I went to this garage to have my snow tires mounted, and watched the idiot destroy my wheel lock. Just as he picked up his impact gun I yelled NO!!! I was too late he stripped out the head of the wheel lock and ruined the key. I talked to the owner and he told me to bring it back tomorrow and they would cut it off with a torch. I looked at him and said "won't that ruin the wheel?" and he replied "yes, you are going to have to buy a new wheel". That night I laid on the ground with a flashlight, a hammer and chisel and removed it myself. Now I work in a garage full time and have never ruined anyone's locking lugs or keys. I don't mind locking lugs as long as the owner always knows where the key is. I did once forget to put their key back but we called the customer and had them stop back to pick it up.

 

Update:

Thanks for the help! Contacted McGuard and sent them a picture. Received it Yesterday and was a perfect fit. Cost $15 including shipping. Was a $15 lesson learned. Could be worse

 

Good deal! The few times I take my vehicle to have tires rotated or state inspection, I always take that wheel lock key and stick it next to the shifter, then I tell the person at the counter where it is, and it gets written down on my work order. When I pick it up,that’s the first thing I look for. And then check to make sure it’s actually mine. It’s a habit! I know what you went through for some reason,lol.