On this page
- Where is the locking wheel nut key usually kept?
- How do you recognise a locking wheel bolt?
- What not to do if you've lost the locking wheel nut key?
- How do you get a replacement locking wheel nut key?
- You've had a puncture and don't have the key: what now?
- How can you avoid the problem in future?
- Lost locking wheel nut key and a punctured tyre in Milan?
- Frequently asked questions
Where is the locking wheel nut key usually kept?
The locking wheel nut key, also called the adaptor, is usually kept near the car's tools: in the spare wheel well, in a polystyrene tray in the boot or in the glovebox.
- The well under the boot floor, next to the jack and wheel brace.
- Side compartments in the boot, behind plastic flaps.
- Glovebox, door pockets, compartment under the seats.
- In a pouch with the handbook or the spare keys, at home.
If your seasonal tyre change was done by a tyre specialist, the key may have been left with them or put back somewhere other than usual.
How do you recognise a locking wheel bolt?
You can recognise a locking wheel bolt because its head is different from the others: smooth, round or with an engraved pattern, instead of the usual hexagon. There's usually one per wheel.
The key is a small metal socket with the same pattern in reverse: it fits over the bolt and is turned with the normal wheel brace. Without the key, the standard brace won't grip.
What not to do if you've lost the locking wheel nut key?
If you've lost the locking wheel nut key, don't try to undo the bolt with pliers, chisels or a hammer: it's almost always pointless and you risk damaging the bolt, the hub or the rim.
A damaged bolt is harder to remove even for someone with the right equipment. Likewise, don't try keys from other cars: there are many patterns and a key that seems to fit can strip the bolt head.
How do you get a replacement locking wheel nut key?
A replacement key is generally obtained using the set's code, printed on a card or label supplied with the bolts. With that code the dealer or the bolt manufacturer can supply a new key.
If you don't have the code, ask the brand's dealer whether the bolts were original equipment: in some cases there are procedures for tracing the pattern. Lead times vary, so it isn't a solution for a roadside emergency.
You've had a puncture and don't have the key: what now?
If you've had a puncture and don't have the key, the first thing is to make yourself safe and check whether the affected wheel really is the one with the locked bolt.
- Stop somewhere safe (see how to stay safe).
- If the hole is small and in the tread, a repair or the kit may save you from removing the wheel: read how to use the repair kit.
- If the tyre is flat or cut, the wheel has to come off: a call-out with specific equipment for removing the bolt is needed.
How can you avoid the problem in future?
To avoid the problem in future, always keep the key in the same place in the car and note the set's code somewhere else, for example as a photo on your phone.
- After every tyre change, check that the key has been put back.
- If you sell or buy a used car, check that the key is there.
- Keep the card with the code with your documents, not in the car.
Lost locking wheel nut key and a punctured tyre in Milan?
If you're in Milan or the surrounding province with a punctured tyre and can't find the locking wheel nut key, SOS Tyre comes out 24/7, in 30 minutes on average: on the phone we assess the situation and tell you what can be done on the spot. Call +39 377 326 0999 or find out about our wheel change service.
Frequently asked questions
Are locking wheel nuts compulsory?
No, locking wheel nuts aren't compulsory. They're an accessory fitted as standard by some manufacturers or added by the owner to protect wheels and tyres from theft. If you have them, the key becomes as essential a tool as the jack.
Can I replace locking wheel nuts with normal bolts?
Generally yes, as long as the normal bolts have the same thread, the same length and the same seat type to suit the rim. You still need the key to remove them, or someone with the equipment to remove them. Have a tyre specialist check compatibility.
Where can I find the locking wheel nut key code?
It's usually printed on a card or label supplied with the set of bolts, and sometimes engraved on the key itself. If the car was bought new with locking nuts as standard, try asking the dealer whether the code is recorded in the vehicle documentation.
I've damaged the head of the locking bolt: now what?
Don't persist: every further attempt makes things worse. A damaged locking bolt needs specific equipment to be extracted without ruining the rim and hub. Once removed, it must be replaced with a new compatible bolt.