Wheel lock key location

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coryc85

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jun 18, 2007
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260
Location
South FL
I bought my '02 LX from a used car dealer a few months back, just noticed that I don't have the wheel lock key, or at least I can't find it, so I have a couple questions for other LX owners

- Where is the key located normally? I looked in the tool kit pouch, glove compartment, and all those compartments in the rear hatch area.

- For anyone that has purchased a replacement wheel lock key from the dealer, how much should I expect to pay?

Thanks
 
There isn't a "usual" location for wheel keys. Some people put them in the glove box, some in their tool chest. A tire center or dealership should have a master set, they can remove the keyed lug and you can put on a non-locking lug in it's place. Or, if you're really worried about someone stealing them, get a replacement key, shouldn't cost more than $20 online or on Ebay (may be much more expensive through a dealership).

A friend of mine that worked in a tire shop commented that the only purpose of lug locks was to make tire shops money removing them.
 
The factory wheel lock is made by McGard and you can't get a duplicate key unless you have the code that comes with the packaging as a sticker. Look in the owners manual for this sticker or some affix it to the inside of the glove box.

I don't think there is a demand for stock LX470 wheels and tires. I'd just remove the locks and replace with the OEM lug nuts.
 
When I bought my LC, I couldn't find the wheel lock either. The nearest dealership had a master set, figured out which one fit and I ordered a replacement for under $20.
 
I am completely with you guys on getting rid of the wheel locks. I have little faith in them as a security device and I certainly don't want to be stranded somewhere without the key. My first order of business is to get them off, either through the key or that fluted lug nut remover from Sears.

If I get rid of the locks, has anyone found any lug nuts that will fit besides OEM?
 
coryc85 said:
If I get rid of the locks, has anyone found any lug nuts that will fit besides OEM?
Click to expand...

Costco has a huge rack of Gorilla lugs, I'm sure they'd have one in there that'd fit. Why not go OEM? You only need 4.
 
Along these same lines is locating/losing the key adapter to lower the spare tire/wheel on an LX. Of course when I needed mine I could not find it, I was only poking around seeing how it worked, and luckily I was not sitting on the side of the road with my wife and kids in the car.

This adapter is supposedly a theft deterrant, but again, its more of a pain in the neck. The way the lowering mechanism is configured you can't get the wheel down without the factory adapter. Of couse my local dealer did not have one in stock, and had to order it, which took a couple weeks to get. Pending delivery of that, I had them lower my spare wheel and I kept it in the back in case I needed it.

Cost was $21.95, and I now keep it in the tool kit with the rest of the tire changing items.
 
Mine was fastened on the lug wrench.

See if there is a small white plastic clip zip-tied to your lug wrench. My key was fastened to that, and just pulls off when you need it. But tire dealers never put it back there. They throw it in the pouch or in the center console.
 
It's funny how different the dealers are. I just called my local Lexus dealer...supposed to be the largest in FL. Anyway, they told me that they don't have a master key set so they would use the socket tool (much like the one from Sears I assume) to remove my wheel locks and they would sell me a whole new set for $45 not including the labor to remove the old ones. I asked him about OEM lugs and he said they were $19 apiece. I think I'll call Toyota and see what the the lugs cost over there. Looks like I will be buying the socket from Sears for $30.
 
More often than not, places like Discount Tire or Big-O (If you have those near by) will remove the locking lug nuts and put the oem's on for free. They want you as a future customer and have been very accommodating to me.

I'd just buy the replacement lug nuts and have Discount do it for me real quick.

Also FWIW, I found lug nuts for $7.35 at ToyotaPartSales.com. Look under body parts/wheels.
 
Thanks for all the inputs. I just ordered 4 lugs from ToyotaPartSales, total $38 with shipping. Also picked up a lug removal tool from HF this morning for $10...the 13/16" socket threads right onto my locks, I haven't tried removing them yet, but I think I'm good to go now.:cheers:

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Anyone know if the OEM LC lug nuts and OEM LX lug nuts are the same? $20/ea sounds pretty steep.
 
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