Locking wheel nut and Autogrip 205/55/16 on an Astra in N8

Got a call from a new customer who had been to his local garage to have a tyre changed. The garage had not been able to change the tyre because the locking wheel nut key was damaged and would not remove the locking wheel nut and thus the wheel could not be removed. They did not have any equipment to remove locking wheel nut without the key so they had recommended that the customer contact us.

Talked to the customer about his driving style and millage, only local driving and less than 5000 miles a year, recommended an Autogrip 205/55/16 as an excellent tyre to suit his requirements. Arranged to set off to him as soon as I had picked up the tyre.

I arrived at the customer and examined the key. The key was mangled and would not fit any of the locking wheel nuts on the car.

All of our vans carry a special tool for these situations; this will remove locking wheel nuts without damaging the alloy wheel. Got the tool out of the van and attached the temporary blade, knocked the tool on to the locking wheel nut and then attached the impact wrench, couple of knocks on the impact wrench and the locking wheel nut was released and could be removed by hand, repeated another 3 time (don't forget that once the key is damaged none of the locking wheel nuts can be removed normally) so all the locking wheel nuts had been removed. Luckily the customer had the old wheel nuts that had been taken off when the locking wheel nuts had been put on. Replaced 3 of the nuts and tightened up to the correct torque.

Now just to change the tyre, once changed checked all the tread depth and tyre pressures on the other wheels (and the spare). All the tyres on the car where well within the legal minimum and did not need any air to be added, the spare was at 6mm so had been used at some point. The pressure on this was a bit low, I pumped it up and added an extra 10 PSI to this tyre as most people don't check the spare when doing the pressures on their tyres and only find out it is flat when they need it, by adding an extra 10 PSI if the tyre is not checked regularly it should still be inflated if it is required.

Took the payment and left the customer with his new tyre fitted and a report that showed him the condition of his remaining tyres.

If you have a locking wheel nut that you cannot remove or maybe you just need tyres call Hometyre on 0800 783 93 10 or the mobile friendly number 0333 444 5454 and we will come to you.