# The Key to Locking Lugnuts **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 15, 2024, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295 "2024-11-15T18:33:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/1 "2024-11-15T18:33:25Z")
This is killing me, but I may have misplaced my “key” to unlock my locking lugnuts. Does AAA carry a master key? I’ve heard some mechanics have such a thing. What options doI have? Would the dealer where I bought the lugs have a master key? Meanwhile, I’ll keep looking. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/2 "2024-11-15T18:34:16Z")
There are a zillion different brands of locking lugnuts. There’s no one master key. ETA: except a big serrated socket. ETA ETA: Like this: [Amazon.com: Fit All Vehicles Access Tools Easy Off Twist Locking Socket Lug Nut Universal Remover Removal Set Easy to use AETEO AET-EO 5 Sizes Sockets : Automotive](https://www.amazon.com/Vehicles-Access-Socket-Removal-Sockets/dp/B07MGBXN9B) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/3 "2024-11-15T18:35:36Z")
The mechanic I went to used a [master key similar to this one](https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/94541471?cid=ppc-google-&mkwid=%7Cdc&pcrid=&rd=k&product_id=94541471&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_9u5BhCUARIsABbMSPt1w3qT1q_Q0YJ3Bm2vDmrJSpwJmDD_48-fYJzsh8Ezdqx-DtDqB5QaAq9VEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds). ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/4 "2024-11-15T18:36:40Z")
The nuclear option is hammering a slightly smaller socket onto it and just wrenching the shit out of it. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/5 "2024-11-15T18:45:23Z")
[Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-key-to-locking-lug-nuts-now-what/742506)? or different car. (Sorry, Discourse ratted you out) Do you feel proud of yourself Discobot? ---
**Author:** ![discobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/discobot/32/570_2.png) [@discobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/discobot)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/6 "2024-11-15T18:45:25Z")
> 🔮 My reply is no ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/7 "2024-11-15T19:17:49Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > The mechanic I went to used a [master key similar to this one](https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/94541471?cid=ppc-google-&mkwid=%7Cdc&pcrid=&rd=k&product_id=94541471&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_9u5BhCUARIsABbMSPt1w3qT1q_Q0YJ3Bm2vDmrJSpwJmDD_48-fYJzsh8Ezdqx-DtDqB5QaAq9VEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds). If the lug nuts are recessed inside counterbores (as is common on cast alloy rims), OP will not be able get one of these onto the nuts. Years ago my dad bought a used car that didn’t have the key for the security lug nuts. He went to a tire shop, where the mechanic used an impact wrench to s spin a special socket (no hex inside, just circular) against the nut. As much pressure as he could muster, for maybe a minute. It cleaned the metal and heated the socket. When done, he hammered the socket firmly into place (the lug nut had a very slight taper) and let things cool, creating a very tight fit between socket and nut. That was enough to enable removal of each security lug nut. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/8 "2024-11-15T20:21:43Z")
IMO locking lugnuts are simply an accident waiting to happen. Which accident has now happened to the OP. They don’t much stop thieves. They stop car owners. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/9 "2024-11-15T20:26:53Z")
I would think a locksmith could pick them, but there are certainly more destructive ways to remove them. Brian “A crowbar is just a heavy lockpick” (though maybe not applicable here) ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/10 "2024-11-15T20:34:42Z")
Oh, based on the thread title, I was expecting dating advice. 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/11 "2024-11-15T21:07:03Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > IMO locking lugnuts are simply an accident waiting to happen. After a few years you won’t be able to open them even with the key. ---
**Author:** ![Jegpeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jegpeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jegpeg)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/12 "2024-11-15T21:22:25Z")
Agreed, I had a different problem I got a puncture so I pulled over to change the wheel. When I tried to undo the nuts the locking nut sheared right off so had to get a recovery truck to take me to a garage. I was told that the locking nuts are a lot weaker than standard nuts so this can easily happen. I asked for them to replace all the remaining locking nuts with nomal ones. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/13 "2024-11-15T21:53:34Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > I would think a locksmith could pick them, but there are certainly more destructive ways to remove them. Some have what you’d think of as a typical lock & key mechanism that a locksmith could deal with in their usual way. But those are the by far minority. Most are just a nut with a weird shape that ordinary tools won’t engage. And that’s designed so its outer surface is resistant to grabbing with pliers, pipe wrenches, etc. The “key” is special socket that does engage the weird nut shape. And has the traditional 1/2" square socket drive on its backside so a standard impact wrench, breaker bar, etc., will engage it. Or the backside is a conventional lug nut shape and size so it becomes an adaptor between a standard lug wrench and the special head you need to drive the special nut. A locksmith won’t have anything useful to do with this. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/14 "2024-11-15T21:56:17Z")
On my wife’s Honda, one of the first things I did was replace the dumbass locking Lugnuts with regular ones. It is a really dumb idea, that may have been useful back in the late 70s to early 80s. But I don’t remember them back then. ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/15 "2024-11-15T22:02:39Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > On my wife’s Honda, one of the first things I did was replace the dumbass locking Lugnuts with regular ones. this was smart. I’ve done the same thing > [@What\_Exit](#): > > It is a really dumb idea, that may have been useful back in the late 70s to early 80s I would argue that the conceptual _idea_ of locking lugnuts is fine, but the execution so far causes far more problems than the issue it purports to solve. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/16 "2024-11-15T22:02:58Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > It is a really dumb idea, that may have been useful back in the late 70s to early 80s. Very good point. I don’t recall the last time I have seen the cliché “car with no wheels sitting on cinder blocks” ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/17 "2024-11-15T22:03:43Z")
I got locking lugnuts when I bought my current car, because it has aluminum alloy wheels, which are expensive. And some aftermarket wheels cost _thousands_. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/18 "2024-11-15T22:27:40Z")
So presumably the best “locking” lug nuts are ones that only look like locking ones and can be easily removed with the usual lug wrench. Make the thief think it’s secure and have them go down the block to another car. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/19 "2024-11-15T22:57:42Z")
Oh, I didn’t know. If they are something like inverse torx with a hole or other weird shape, the appropriate tool should be findable, I googled security bolt tools and found a bunch. Brian ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2024, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295/20 "2024-11-15T23:00:13Z")
They are not anything like that. All the locking lugnuts I’ve ever seen have some type of semi-random pattern, requiring a specific key to mate with them. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-locking-lugnuts/1010295.md?page=2)