I bought my car used and the previous owner never mentioned the key for the lugnut on the wheels. I didn't notice one of the nuts out of the five needed a key until now, when I was at the tire shop and told me they needed the key. We searched the entire car and couldn't find it. They were able to break them off though, so right now I'm running on 4 of them on each wheel.

I'm sure I can get new ones from my Mazda dealership? Anyone know how much they cost?

Anyway, the good news is I got my new Kumho SPTs. My Potenzas were just about bald, and I thought they were satisfactory tires until I just drove home on the Kumhos. They're amazing, I could instantly feel the grip just by moving 5 mph. It also feels like floating on air. Now I'll be taking the twisties even faster

 

The wheellock key should be in the trunk where you lift up the little lid and see all the tools. Mine was there.

The dealership will have to get you another one if you lost yours. If they broke the wheel locks off then just get a new set of locks. How did they break them off though?

I think the Kumho SPTs have less grip than the Potenzas that the car comes stock with. So I'm not sure you'll be able to take the twisties faster. They are supposed to be more comfortable but less performance oriented than the Potenzas.

 

They couldn't find it there with the tools....but then again, I didn't pull out the tools and look at them for myself...I should probably do that.

They're completely gone anyway, new locks will just spin right in. How they broke em off - dunno.

I took some turns coming home as fast I could with the Potenzas and I had full control, and definitely had room for more speed. I don't know ride on the Potenzas when they're brand new, but at around 12k miles they were noisy and just really stiff. The reviews I looked at for the SPTs were usually good ones, and people around the forum have said they're much better than the Potenzas, so I don't know. They're damn good for $95 a piece, imo.

edit: double checked the trunk, it's definitely not there

 

You can get them here:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...n&key=RX081037

 

Ah, thanks.

 

You should put a few hundred miles on new tires to break them in before really pushing them hard. Straight from Tire Rack:


Tires are comprised of many layers of rubber, steel and fabric. Due to these different components, your new tires require a "break-in" period to ensure that they deliver their normal ride quality and maximum performance. As tires are cured, a "release lubricant" is applied to prevent them from sticking in their mold. Some of the lubricant stays on the surface of your tires, reducing traction until it is worn away. Five hundred miles of easy acceleration, cornering and braking will allow the mold release lubricant to wear off, allowing the other tire components to begin working together. It is also important to note that your old tires probably had very little tread depth remaining when you felt it was time to replace them. As any autocrosser or racer who has tread rubber shaved off of his tires will tell you "low tread depth tires respond quicker." Don't be surprised if your new tires are a little slower to respond (even if you use the exact same tire as before). Their new, full depth brings with it a little more tread squirm until they wear down.

NOTE: Be careful whenever you explore the capabilities of your new tires. Remember that every tire requires a break-in period for optimum performance.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Easy, You can use a heat/flame gun, those that u use to melt stuff. heat it up a little bit, and just "spin"

it will come off right away.

Thats how theft get wheels lock off, mostly.

 

I never saw that sig before, Raptor2k. Brought quite a smile to my face.

 

nycgps: hmmmm and what are your hobbies? lol

 

They hammer a special socket on the lock that "bites" into the metal. I have since ditched mine. They are more trouble then they are worth.

 

The sig is a bit out of date, make another one for "Ike".

 

I didn't make it, just borrowed it =)

 

This is what you neded Raptor

MATCO

 

^^^^ What he says.
Go on eBay and get a set of wheel lock removers.
Come to think of it, any tire shop worth their salt should already have a set !

 

why is why they are pointless.

 

Same thing happened to me.. I took it back to the dealership I bought it from and they replaced them all at no charge and left the key in the glove box.

 

Not quite. Like The Club, or any other inexpensive deterrent, they are effective against the casual, impulsive thief. (Believe it or not, there are many amateur thieves who aren't walking around carrying professional thief tools). If there were two 8's parked next to each other, and one had wheel locks and the other didn't, and you only had time to steal one set of wheels, which would you go for?

If you truly believe wheel locks are pointless, I guess you don't bother locking your car either. What would be the point?