Hey Everyone,

We bought our 03 MCS in July and I want to put our winter tires on, but after taking off the wheelcaps, I found a wheel lock. I checked in the little MINI toolbox (more like a bag) and it wasn't in there. Is there any other place it is stored on the car? I checked the glovebox already and it isn't in there either. It is a strange looking wheel lock also. The grooves are inside the lugnut. It is protruding a bit, so I might just see if we can get a big Vise grip on it if I can't find the wheel lock key.

If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks so much!

 

It should be the tiny bag with tow eye. Check the big jack bag out.

Later MINIs have a styro mould next to the battery that the wheel lock sits in.

Jeremy

 

Most tire shops have a universal removal socket they put over the lock to remove it. Some will do for free if you get your wheels rebalanced too.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I have a question though.
I always work on the MINI at my house, using my jack. I don't even know if this thing came with a big jack bag. Where would I find it at if I have one? Obviously with runflats, I have never considered the need for a jack in the car.

 

Wheel locks were not standard on the '03 MCS. I bought mine later, so if you have them the lock could be stored just about anywhere. Mine did come with a jack stored in a vinyl bag secured by hooks in the boot. Maybe you could look inside the bins on either side of the boot for the lock- it's small and silver, so it's probably inside some sort of bag/box/pouch. The jack, on the other hand, would be obvious if you have one. It and the lock may be long gone. I wish you good luck.

 

I'd guess at the bottom of the previous owner's tool box. You may have to go to a tire shop as suggested above. Be sure to bring new lug bolts or lock set if you so desire.

 

Thanks for the replies. I may just give Discount Tire a call and see if they have something that can take them off and replacements. I called Auto Zone, Napa and a couple other places and nobody has the lugnuts. I'm thinking they might be MINI exclusive and I'll have to get them from the dealership.

Normally I check when I purchase a car to make sure the key comes with it, but with the wheel caps, I didn't even think to look for one.

 

The wheel lock wrench for my Mini was located by the factory in a styrofoam box placed between the battery and battery well. The battery & well are located in the rear of the car under the rear floor -- just forward of the rear bumper.

 

My Mini did not come with one and there are about a dozen different ones in the Mini parts list. I ordered them all to get the correct one. Vise grips do not work. Even tried drilling one out with no luck.

 

Huh?

We misplaced ours and just went to the dealer. We had a coffee while they had one of the FNGs go through a box of wheel locks. They only charged us for the new wheel lock key.

 

Just my two cents as having this problem myself previously. Wheel locks only stop people who actually care about the state of the lug after removal. They can be removed quite handily if you destroy them in the process. So, any determined person who wouldn't care what they look like afterwards (EG, someone stealing your wheels) would not be that bothered by them.

I used to have them on a previous car, until I lost the key and couldn't get my wheel off. I took it to the dealer, paid them to do a tire rotation and they just ripped off the locks and replaced them with regular lugs for free. Figured I'd never put them on another car after that.