Wheel lock woes

[freeflight]

The front right tire on my 04 4Runner developed a slow leak. No nail or visible cut, but lose a couple of PSI per day. I decide to put the spare tire on while shop for new tires. However, I couldn't find the key.

I had never done anything to the wheels or tires since I bought it. It is always serviced by the dealer. I searched everywhere in the car, just can't find it.

I called the dealer, they said they have a master key and can unlock the wheels. It takes about a week to order replacement keys. After all these trouble, I don't think I will use the locks anymore... How frequent do you hear anyone got their wheels stolen anyways?

 

[TechWrench]

The front right tire on my 04 4Runner developed a slow leak. No nail or visible cut, but lose a couple of PSI per day. I decide to put the spare tire on while shop for new tires. However, I couldn't find the key.

I had never done anything to the wheels or tires since I bought it. It is always serviced by the dealer. I searched everywhere in the car, just can't find it.

I called the dealer, they said they have a master key and can unlock the wheels. It takes about a week to order replacement keys. After all these trouble, I don't think I will use the locks anymore... How frequent do you hear anyone got their wheels stolen anyways?

Bummer. Personally, I wouldn't go without the wheel locks, but that is your choice to make. If you do decide to get a replacement key, a good place to keep it, so it shouldn't get lost, is inside the pouch that holds the tool to lower the rear spare which is located in the compartment in the rear left of the 'trunk'. This is where I keep mine, and I use it at least twice a year, when I swap my summer/winter wheels.

 

[ToyTech99]

The front right tire on my 04 4Runner developed a slow leak. No nail or visible cut, but lose a couple of PSI per day. I decide to put the spare tire on while shop for new tires. However, I couldn't find the key.

I had never done anything to the wheels or tires since I bought it. It is always serviced by the dealer. I searched everywhere in the car, just can't find it.

I called the dealer, they said they have a master key and can unlock the wheels. It takes about a week to order replacement keys. After all these trouble, I don't think I will use the locks anymore... How frequent do you hear anyone got their wheels stolen anyways?

I have a set of wheel locks on my 4Runner and I wouldn't go without them. You may not think wheels get stolen often, but it probably happens more than you think. At least around here it does...

FYI-- there's really no "master" key for wheel locks. Dealership mechanics have access to a set wheel lock keys that include one of each possible wheel lock pattern. There are not really a lot of different patterns. It think there are about 16 keyed locks in the entire set. Most mechanics don't bother searching for an owner's wheel lock key because it's a waste of time. They just go to the set and find the matching key to take off the lock.

You didn't say if you purchased your '04 new or used, but I guess it is possible that you never had the key lock in the first place. Like I said, the dealership mechanics wouldn't have realized that anyway because they almost always use their own keys.

 

[Uneek]

Quite a few members here had their spares stolen. I would put locks on my wheels. Stock wheels aren't as big of a target as aftermarkets, but some out there will steal anything they can get their hands on.

 

[K.C.]

I have a set of wheel locks on my 4Runner and I wouldn't go without them. You may not think wheels get stolen often, but it probably happens more than you think. At least around here it does...

FYI-- there's really no "master" key for wheel locks. Dealership mechanics have access to a set wheel lock keys that include one of each possible wheel lock pattern. There are not really a lot of different patterns. It think there are about 16 keyed locks in the entire set. Most mechanics don't bother searching for an owner's wheel lock key because it's a waste of time. They just go to the set and find the matching key to take off the lock.

You didn't say if you purchased your '04 new or used, but I guess it is possible that you never had the key lock in the first place. Like I said, the dealership mechanics wouldn't have realized that anyway because they almost always use their own keys.

ToyTech99 is absolutely correct.

The Dealership has a master set!!

I believe it's 10-20 master keys.

They don't want to bother hunting down the wheel lock key...because the customer probably has it a hidden place, or it's in the trunk, but they have hecka crap in there. So the tech doesn't want to waste their time.

I agree w/ Uneek ...

My 4Runner didn't come w/ wheel locks & I was debating if I should get wheel locks for it, since I had the plain boring crappy 17" SR5 wheels. I have a 2007 & those wheels been out since 2003 & also on the Tacoma Sport. I know if I had the hot 18" Limited wheels like Uneek , I definately would. After comtemplating for awhile...I finally chose to get the wheel locks for my wheels. It was a peace of mind & made me at ease.

Stolen Spare Tire
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=20700

 

[freeflight]

I own the car since day one. I remember seeing the key when the dealer did a new car walk through for me. I have seen it a few times, when I still care enough to go through the car after service. The car has always been servied at the dealer, last time was to patch a tire. I never need to use the key myself so far.

The decision was simple
1. to order a replacement key for $22
2. to buy 4 lug nuts for $40
So I order a replacement key. I will keep it in the glove box.

 

[freeflight]

Can someone in the San Gabriel Valley lend me the key?

This decision turns out to be a poor one. It has been two weeks and the key is still in the mail. The company mailed it by USPS.

I need the truck for a upcoming trip, and I would really like to install new tires before that. Can someone in the San Gabriel Valley kindly lend me the key? I just need it for about an hour.

Thanks,

Kevin

I own the car since day one. I remember seeing the key when the dealer did a new car walk through for me. I have seen it a few times, when I still care enough to go through the car after service. The car has always been servied at the dealer, last time was to patch a tire. I never need to use the key myself so far.

The decision was simple
1. to order a replacement key for $22
2. to buy 4 lug nuts for $40
So I order a replacement key. I will keep it in the glove box.