I did a conversion for the TPMS and key fob on my 98 Coupe...after finishing that project, I ordered new Michelin run flats for the vette....I ordered the new tire sensors .............tires came in....tire sensors came in..........got the fobs programmed............
Scheduled to have the tires and sensors installed...........got to the tire store and found out the wheels have locks on them.....I didn't get the key from the previous owner and he says he doesn't know where it is.....Grrrrrrrrrrrr
Tire shop says they can break the locks off............I'm giving him a few days to find it before i let the tire shop break them off.
I looked online to order new ones for after I have the tires changed out...
What I found is, it looks like the C5, C6, C7 all have different lugs? I would think they were all the same wheel studs.
Anyone know if this is true?

 

Seems he would have left it in one of the cubby holes in trunk, or main storage, you probably already looked, but just in case you didn't.

Saw a Scotty Kilmire video where he showed a universal tool just for getting these off if you lost locking tool.

 

Before you get crazy, carefully check the trunk of the car, there is a little cutout in one of the cubbies for the wheel lock key. If that does not work, go with the "sacrificial socket" method, that's what all the wheel thieves do!

 

I have an 01 Z06 and there is a little slot for they key between the left cubby and the center cubby, you have to lift the carpet up its right there.

 

yep...looked in all 3 spots in the back, looked in the glove box and console, under the seats.....nada

 

will you explain better where that is? my 98 coupe doesn't have a cubby on the drivers side, just the glove box and center console.....
Thanks

 

ok...Ill do another, more thorough look see in the cubbies under the hatch
Thanks!

 

open up the rear deck lid and pull up the carpet hopefully its there.

 

Go to about 1:45 in video he removes locking lug nut with the tool.

 

Honestly? Break them off. Wheel locks are a waste of time at best and a massive inconvenience at worst.

Any thief that REALLY wants your wheels is going to break them off just like this shop will - with a socket one-size-too-small and a nice powerful electric impact. I get people who come to see me at work EVERY DAY frantic as hell about these stupid locks because they can't change a flat, or their car is at a shop and it's going to cost extra, and then they end up even more upset when I tell them that I have to order a key for them, it takes a week, or they can pay $35 for overnight shipping.

Waste of time. They are the first thing I get rid of on any car I own.

 

I have them on mine. Their only purpose is to encourage Mr. Thief to jack someone else's car up and steal its wheels instead of mine. Much the same purpose as an alarm system.

 

Never even knew I had locks until I went for a tire change. Dealer had a tool to remove them. After seeing it I could have easily done it myself. While he was working I walked to AutoZone and bought four lug nuts and caps.

 

Exactly. They don't deter anyone who is serious about stealing wheels. Even new car dealerships still get hit for wheel theft with locks on everything in stock. No point in the potential inconvenience to me.

 

Absolutely agree. There's only one thing the locks do, and that is frustrate/strand the owner. They do nothing to stop a thief. I know. I had a 2 year old 1985 IROC-Z stolen in Detroit once. I had a 383 SBC in it with a twin 58mm throttlebody, headers, lots of $$$ in the motor alone. Cops found it a week later, on blocks less than 2 miles away from where I parked it last. Wheels with Goodyear Gatorbacks, stereo, and aluminum parts like radiator,, A/C condensor were gone, as was the 140amp alternator. Car was totaled. I found out the wheels were $373 EACH, +$250 EACH for tires, all in 1980s dollars!!! $623.00 each wheel/tire, so ×4=$2,492.00, plus tax, mounting, and balancing, just for wheels and tires. My point is THIS-Cops told me that when they want a vehicles wheels and tires, they just steal the whole car, take it somewhere safe in someone's garage, and start working your beloved car over. Cops said I'd never have seen my car again if something hadn't scared the thieves away. Locks do nothing. Talk to any tire/wheel shop about locks, and the guys behind the counter laugh about them. I've never heard anyone who carrys them say anything good about them, and these places have them for sale. That's been my experience with locks, fwiw. BTW, my 2000 Vert does NOT have locks.

 

Any good tires shop should have a generic tool to remove the locks.

 

agree 100%. I had to go to the dealer when I had a similar experience with my BMW. After breaking the lock off of two wheels and buying non-locking lugs, I walked out with a $150.00 bull. Removed the locks from my Vette and other cars!

 

Picture?