Wheel Lock Key Mod

Those of you who have left the key on the wheel locks and subsequently driven off and lost the key will appreciate this 'mod'. While not Toyota OEM tape, the red tape makes it easy to do a quick visual to see if the key is still on the lug nut.

 

While locking lug nuts are good to keep honest people honest; a thief knows you probably have the key stored either in the glove box or with the jack. Not only will the wheels get stolen, but also broken window to get the key.

 

I agree that the locks are probably better than nothing, but in the early 2000s I worked at an Acura dealer, and the dealer put locks on all cars standard as part of the PDI. We had tons of customers with stolen wheels, turned out a ring of thieves bought a master set of mcgard wheel lock keys.

 

Is this really considered a mod?

 

Literally "yes", practically "no". For those that use wheel locks, though I'd share. For those that don't use wheel locks, 'nothing to see here'.

 

I’ve never heard of someone leaving the key on the wheel nut. I have locks on all my vehicles and have never done this myself. Could be the way I tighten my lugs. The lock lugs are the last to get the torque wrench. Also, I keep the lock in a plastic baggie. Should I ever forget to remove the lock, and I cant see that ever happening, I will see the empty baggie. And not a mod which is short for modification; nothing is being modified here.

 

Tough crowd!

I’ve never come close to leaving a lock on a lug nut and can’t imagine doing it, but a bit of visibility is not a bad thing.

Was this the result of experience, @JAGCanada?

 

Yes, result of a bad experience.

Was in a rush one day as I needed to go and pick someone up with the truck. I forgot to remove the key. It occurred to me shortly there after what I had done, so I hopped on my bike and went looking for the key, checking the side of the road/ditch etc. No luck.

 

Ugh.

I keep a photo of my lock and the card it came with in my digital archive. I haven't lost one yet, but I'm trying to be prepared in case something happens.

Here's the one from my RX.

 

Maybe a simple solution is to buy several spare keys.....???