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Spare wheel lock key

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RLS

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I've recently bought a 2008 4x4 Limited here in Australia. The spare wheel is on the outside of the back door under the hard cover. The wheel is held on by three bolts, one of which has a lock on it.

I have one central locking key for the car (a 2nd key is on my list...). This key works in the ignition and drivers door as it should do. Should this main key also be able to undo the lock on the spare wheel? After a while of fiddling around with it I've decided it doesn't.

Q1. Should the main ignition key open this wheel lock?
Q2. Assuming I need another key (can't find one hidden in the car), how do I identify which key I need? There is no code on the lock.

Thanks.
 
#2 ·
The "key" is actually a special socket that comes with the locking lug nuts. Do you have these locking lugs on your 4 other wheels? If at all possible, can you contact the previous owner to see if maybe they forgot to give the socket to you?
When I bought my set of locks, they came with a postcard to register with the company to get a replacement socket. Not sure what you can do if you can't get that socket.
One more thought: I keep the socket in my glove box. Have you looked in there?
 
#3 ·
We must be missing something here.

I think you know the difference between a key lock and a wheel locking lugnut with a special socket.

Are you saying there is a lock on the spare wheel itself (not the hard cover) that takes a key? I am imagining something like a trailer hitch locking pin that requires a key to be inserted.

I don't have an answer but am curious as to what you have.
I am not familiar with Toyota to know if they included a factory key-lock for a spare tire.
 
#5 ·
Probably need a picture so somebody can help identify if it is an OEM wheel lock.

I have wheel locks on my wheels (the socket kind), I can't imaging pointing an automobile key at it and wondering why it doesn't work..

That's why I assume it's a special type of lock, not a wheel-lock like we can purchase from Gorilla.
 
#6 ·
ravenuer said:
I assumed RLS meant a lug nut that can only be turned with a special matching socket. Let's see if he can clear that up for us.
Click to expand...
Yeah, me too. That's what we have here, but maybe down under they have another type lock that takes a key that looks like an ignition key. If that's the case he should have a locksmith remove it and either just put on a regular nut or a set of five that takes the special socket we're thinking of.
 
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#8 ·
foxtherouge said:
It's entirely possible that OP has something like what I got for my spare tire on my 1st gen:

If that's the case then they will need to find the correct key somewhere in the vehicle (Check glove box) or possibly have to drill it out.
Click to expand...
"....what I got...."

Does that mean it came with the vehicle or that is what you purchased to use for your vehicle?
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Sorry for the confusion everyone. Yes, I know what a locking wheel lug is and this is different. I found a page in a manual and it is indeed OEM equipment, in Australia at least.

The 4x roadwheels do NOT have locking wheel lugs, so no issue there. By that I mean there is nothing like this: https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.zREKw-YVM8SRN9aUDhNTCQHaHa&pid=Api

The spare wheel has three bolts holding it on. One of these has a lock on it. I'm not referring to the hard cover. The type of lock is this: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/0V8AAOSwqzRhncDz/s-l1600.jpg
It is this one that I don't have a key for.

The page in a manual I found shows this lock as an OEM part. It also states that the ignition key does NOT open this lock, but a separate key is required. I've confirmed the ignition key won't open it. I can't find the specific key hidden anywhere in the car. The non-Toyota car dealer I bought the car from has no more keys.

So, next question... I don't have power tools with me to drill it out. I could pick it, pay someone else to pick it, smash it off with a few very carefully aimed hammer blows, or find a dealer that might have a master key. Any recommendations/suggestions?
 
#11 ·
NoMoreDomestic said:
"....what I got...."

Does that mean it came with the vehicle or that is what you purchased to use for your vehicle?
Click to expand...
As in I bought that lock I linked for my spare tire.

RLS said:
Sorry for the confusion everyone. Yes, I know what a locking wheel lug is and this is different. I found a page in a manual and it is indeed OEM equipment, in Australia at least.

The 4x roadwheels do NOT have locking wheel lugs, so no issue there. By that I mean there is nothing like this: https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.zREKw-YVM8SRN9aUDhNTCQHaHa&pid=Api

The spare wheel has three bolts holding it on. One of these has a lock on it. I'm not referring to the hard cover. The type of lock is this: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/0V8AAOSwqzRhncDz/s-l1600.jpg
It is this one that I don't have a key for.

The page in a manual I found shows this lock as an OEM part. It also states that the ignition key does NOT open this lock, but a separate key is required. I've confirmed the ignition key won't open it. I can't find the specific key hidden anywhere in the car. The non-Toyota car dealer I bought the car from has no more keys.

So, next question... I don't have power tools with me to drill it out. I could pick it, pay someone else to pick it, smash it off with a few very carefully aimed hammer blows, or find a dealer that might have a master key. Any recommendations/suggestions?
Click to expand...
You're gonna have to get it either picked or drilled. If you can pick it, pick it. I'd ask your neighbors to see if they have a drill you can borrow. Or take it to a shop, they can get that off pretty quickly far cheaper than a visit to the dealership would. Beating it off with a mallet would require you to replace the stud and possibly damage your wheel in the process.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
I've asked the dealer, waiting for a response.

Otherwise I'll borrow a drill and break the lock. Would be nice to get a key instead and keep the lock...

For drilling it, what size bit? Just enough to go through the key hole or big enough to fill the whole barrel?
 
#14 ·
The dealership probably won't be able to help you, they would have to outsource to a locksmith so they can decode the pinning. As for drilling it out there are many videos and guides on the internet to show you exactly how to do it. It is not difficult but sometimes knowing where to drill will help ya.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
Agreed, the dealer can't help. They said the main ignition/central locking key should open it. The manual specifically states that this key will not open it. I'll find a drill.

Thanks all.
 
#17 ·
RLS said:
Agreed, the dealer can't help. They said the main ignition/central locking key should open it. The manual specifically states that this key will not open it. I'll find a drill.

Thanks all.
Click to expand...
This is why I suggested a visit.
You have no idea who is on the other end of the phone, could be a person who started 9 days ago with zero history of the vehicles. If I started there today, I would not be able to help you if you called or came in. However I could look to my side and ask for help from somebody with more experience. If I am on the phone and there to collect a check, I'll probably end the call as quickly as possible if I don't know what part you're talking about.

I guess though if the manual states the ignition key will not do the trick then there you go.
I'd look in all the normal places (I am sure you have), like an envelop with owners manual stuff. Stowed away with tire changing tools, things like that.
I have a padlock key now in the leather case for the owners manual (new car).
I usually keep registration/insurance in the owners manual or in an envelope with the owners manual. Things reltaed to other things are kept with their friends. Like my wheel lock key was stored with the spare tire.
I don't like to keep things that are rarely used mixed with routine stuff. Like I'll keep keys, etc. out of the glove box or console, too busy rooting around randomly to accidentally remove it and forgot to put it back or have it come out without me knowing.

If you've scoured that to no avail, then the P/O probably lost it long ago.

Good luck though, glad you got a resolution so quickly.
Check the date code of the tire to see if, or how far past expiration, it's any good.
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
Take that, silly lock! Spent half an hour learning how to pick a lock. Success! It's gone, never to frustrate me again. Now I might need to get another one so no one steals the wheel...

Thanks for all the advice on here. Next on the list is a spare ignition key...
 
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