If your fiat car key is fitted with locking wheel nuts, it will have a socket tool specifically designed for them that can be inserted over them and slots into a unique pattern on the locking nut. It is typically found in the glovebox or boot storage panels, but it can be difficult to locate in the event that you are unable to locate it.
What is a locking wheel nut?
The locking wheel nuts or lug nut are an excellent deterrent to thieves since they can be removed only by using a specific tool. They are affixed to alloy wheels by manufacturers to prevent theft. They operate on a simple concept - each locking wheel nut has an unique indent or outer security pattern, and an individual key for the locking wheel that fits into it. The key cannot be removed or turned after it is inserted. Your alloy wheels will stay firmly attached to the car.
The key that goes into the locking wheel nut can be a small metal device. It's either hexagonal or cylindrical (on the right side of the image above). Each manufacturer has its own design, and these fiat van keys are not compatible with any other model of car. If you suspect you've lost your car key You should contact the manufacturer.
You can keep them in many places, but your glove box is the most obvious. They're also typically stored in a bag or pocket in the driver's or the passenger seat, or in the door bins. It's important to verify in the event that you purchased a used car. The previous owner might have kept the keys in one of these locations.
In addition to being kept in the boot, many automobiles have a storage compartment inside their boots where they will store items such as spare tyres and tyre repair kits. Be sure to check these compartments in your car for the keys to lock wheel nuts might be in there.
It is possible to remove locking lug nuts without the key, but it will be a challenge and require a lot more effort. This is especially so because they are extremely secure. It is recommended to keep the key secure, so that you are able to locate it whenever you need it.
How do I remove the locking wheel nut?
Modern cars are equipped with locking wheel nuts to prevent theft of alloy wheels and tyres. To remove a wheel nut you will need to use a specific tool that is usually included with the vehicle or. You will also require an unlocking key to open the bolt for lugs. The key is stored in the glove box or where the spare wheel and tyre is stored.
The wheel nut lock was designed to be difficult to get out by thieves. Although they can undo hexagonal lug bolts that are standard but the locking wheel nuts only be removed with a special key and tool. This makes the car less appealing to thieves who may discover that it would take them an extended amount of time to steal your tyres and wheels only to be arrested for trying to steal them.
There are three kinds of locking wheel nuts that are commonly used today. The most basic has a keyed head on the nut, which you can insert the key into. Another kind has an incline that rotates around the nut, making it impossible to make an purchase on the lug nut with the use of a wrench. Some cars have locking lugbolts designed to break when you attempt to remove them with an instrument.
Don't be worried if you lose your wheel nut key, or find it damaged in any way. You can still remove the locking lug nut with the help of the tools and techniques provided by tyre manufacturers that offer mobile fitters for tyres. The tyre technician will be able to provide advice on the best way to go about getting rid of the locking lug nuts without damaging your alloys.
If you purchased your car second-hand, it is worth checking the pockets in the seats and the door bins for keys since the previous owner might have hid it there. You can also contact the manufacturer or dealership of your vehicle to see whether they have a spare key.
Where can I get the locking wheel nut?
Locking wheel nuts guard expensive alloy wheels from theft. They have special locking heads that is different from the normal nuts and bolts, so that only a key with the correct pattern can remove the nuts. The keys are stored in the glove compartment or spare wheel storage section of the boot. It is essential that technicians locate the wheel nut tool quickly and easily when they take the car in for service or repairs. If the technician is not able to locate the tool they will have to search the car, which can take a lot of time and could delay the completion of the work.
In the event in an emergency, it is good to know the location of the wheel tool to remove the nut. These tools are often found in the kits of tyre stores and breakdown services. They are able to be used to remove a locking nut while the owner awaits the fiat panda key fob replacement. The tools are typically small metal tools which have one end shaped like a cylinder and the other as an hexagon. Each type of vehicle has a distinct design.
If the tool for removing wheel nuts is not located in the glove box or in the spare wheel, it could be in a place that is obvious, like under the seats or in the door bins. It could have been stolen by the previous owner of the car and if so it is worth looking into these areas. It is possible that it was left at the garage or tyre shop when the vehicle was being serviced and it is a good idea to ask whether they have discovered it.
Contact your dealer if you are unable to locate the wheel nut tool. They are likely to be able provide you with a brand new key for your specific wheel nut as each manufacturer offers a limited number of patterns. You may need to send them a picture of the locking wheelnut so they can match it with keys.
Keep your keys to the locking wheel in a safe place so you can easily access them when you need to replace tyres. However, if you lose it there is no need to panic as each key has a unique code that can be used to purchase a replacement from the car manufacturer. The code is usually located in the owner's manual or service manual, or it may be printed on the locking wheel nut storage box or bag (if your vehicle came with one).
If you've lost your car keys The first thing you should do is to check any small storage spaces, such as the glove box, under the seats, or inside the door bins. If you've recently bought an older car, it is also worthwhile to look in the boot storage compartments as they are frequently used to keep tyre repair kits and spare wheels.
You can also get in touch with the dealership where you purchased your car from if you still can't locate it. You might be able get a copy via the postal service. If this isn't working you'll require a socket that has reversed threads inside. This socket will bite into the locking nut and grasp it with enough force to take it off. You can get these from most car parts stores, however, Halfords have a good assortment of these.
There are also tools that can be used to remove the lug nuts with having a key. If you own a fitting kit for tyres or an impact wrench, these typically come with a tool that fits over the locking nuts and slots into a pattern on the flange design. This will allow you to unlock the locking nuts, however, you'll need remove the zinc-plated covers off the lug nuts to get to the head.
You can also purchase a drift punch or bar which will fit over the head of the lock nut, allowing you to hammer it in to ensure a more secure friction fit. This will require more strength than using a breaker bar, but it can be the quickest method to take off the locking lug nuts.