Puncture? No Lock Nut Key? Really!! – Northcap

Got called to a pretty routine job — puncture on a hatchback parked at the side of a busy road. Nothing out of the ordinary… until the driver said something that makes every roadside tech shiver.

Driver looks at me confused, “a lock what now?”

Uh-S**t.

If there’s a locking wheel nut and no key, that wheel’s staying right where it is. Sure, we carry removal tools, but it’s a caveman-type kit. They can work, but they chew up the nut and often the rim — and guess who gets to do the paperwork if it does? Yep. Yours truly. Always a barrel of laughs.

So I describe the key — little socket, unusual shape, sometimes in the glovebox or the boot. And then she lights up:
“Oh! I think I’ve got that… but it’s at home. In the garage.”

Great.

Now, luckily for both of us, I spotted the real problem — a small nail poking out of the tread. Dead center. That’s the best-case scenario when it comes to punctures—no need to yank the wheel off.

So I grabbed the kit and made a temporary plug repair with the wheel still on the car. Quick, clean, and no damage done.

I told her, “Drive straight home, grab the key, and get yourself to the local tyre shop asap. Tell them you need a proper patch repair done from the inside. That plug’ll hold, it’s fine for now, but it’s not a long-term fix.”

Crisis averted, wheel intact, and no paperwork mountain. Nice!

How to find your lock nut key

Lock nut keys love to play hide and seek. Before you assume it’s lost, check these common hiding spots:

• Glovebox – top drawer spot for most dealers
• Boot/trunk storage – lift the carpet and check around the spare wheel
• Tool pouch or jack kit – often bundled with the factory jack or tyre iron
• Side pockets or cubbies – check those odd compartments in the boot
• Under seat trays or centre console – rare, but not unheard of

Bought the car used? Ask the previous owner or the dealer — and if they can’t help, consider ordering a replacement before you’re stuck with a flat.

What If You’ve Lost Your Lock Nut Key?

Lost your locking wheel nut key? Don’t panic — but don’t go grabbing the vice grips either. Here’s what you can do:

• Check all the usual spots (glovebox, boot, tool kit — see section above).
• Contact your dealer or tyre shop — they may have a master set to match yours.
• Avoid DIY removal tools unless you’re ready to risk wheel damage.
• Last resort: a professional can drill or extract the nut, but expect a bill — and a new set of nuts.

Pro tip: Once it’s sorted, store the key in a labelled bag somewhere obvious. Future-you will thank you.

Tool Talk: Tyre Plug Kit Worth Keeping in the trunk

This call-out was a perfect example of why I carry a tyre plug kit — it’s saved the day more times than I can count. If you’re a DIYer or just want to be ready for roadside nail surprises, grab a kit like the ____ Tyre Plug Repair Kit on Amazon. Comes with everything you need to fix a small puncture without even removing the wheel.

What I see a lot of:

Folks who’ve just bought a used car and don’t even know there’s a locking nut key. Check it’s there the minute you get the car, or better yet, before you buy it. Otherwise, your next puncture might become a tow job.

Till next time,
—Northcap