Public Service Announcement - It is worth taking 2 mins to verify that your “security key” lug nut adapter is in your vehicle.

I got a flat, in my driveway fortunately, and found that I could not remove the spare as my security key lug nut was missing. I called the dealer and apparently they have about 24 different variations of this and they are not registered to the VIN. I would need to get the vehicle to the dealer so they could fit the variations and determine which one to order. I asked if a picture would suffice, and it would not. Needless to say this was an issue with a flat and no spare access. I was able to plug the tire and get to the dealer before it went flat again, but this would have been a tow under different circumstances.

I am considering removing the security key lug nuts all together, but I do appreciate the security as I get into some sketchy spots.

Better to find out it’s missing before you need it!

 

I replaced the 2 security lug nuts on my spare tire with regular lug nuts and added the spare tire lock from Powerful UK (I thought the factory LR spare tire lock looked much better, but it doesn't fit my wheels). I also replaced the security lug nuts on all 4 wheels with regular lug nuts.

 

I took the security lug nuts off my “on ground” tires, but left them on the spare. 🙄

The Powerful UK lock looks like a great option.

 

I lost my security lug nut adapter thingy shortly after I bought my 110. I was installing mud flaps and must have left it on one of the locking lugs when I finished. Realized it a few weeks later when I went back to install the, front flaps, and searched the driveway and down my street to no avail.

I ordered 6 non locking lugs (which are surprisingly inexpensive considering other JLR parts pricing) walked from parts to service and had a service tech remove the locking lugs so I could install standard lugs all the way around.

I'm glad I didn't have to deal with this with a flat like OP did. I guess I'm lucky to never have lived in a place where people, steal wheels, but I despise locking lugs.

 

Check out the powerfuluk locking wheel key video. Every key has a letter code.

 

When I realized my security lug nut was missing, I had to reconstruct what had happened - the last time the wheels were taken off was a state-mandated inspection nearly a year before. I had driven off road several times without the ability to swap in my spare, and had no idea. Stupid.

As OP noted, there's no correlation between the security lug nut and the VIN - that's a security policy. You need to call your dealer to confirm they have the set of masters for your vehicle/wheel combo. You drive to the dealer and try a dozen or so until you find the one that fits your car, and then the dealer orders it. Mine arrived in a few days.

Thankfully, I lived close enough to the dealer that it wasn't too inconvenient to drive there twice.

Good luck!

 

^ this is correct. What I did was write down on a post-it the letter stamped on my wheel key and stuck it in the owner’s manual pouch. Came in handy when my dealer accidentally forgot to put the wheel key back underneath the cargo floor. Saved a bunch of time trying to see which one would fit. I recommend buying at least two extra wheel keys. Never hurts to have a few!

 

Great tips! New 'To Do': Verify security key is in Defender & log key # in glove box...

 

While checking out which key I have and writing it down, I stumbled across this vid from PowerfulUK. GREAT public service and should help anyone who can't find theirs. .

 

These things absolutely f-ing suck.

I had to change a tire in the freezing cold sand and muck on my Defender, and I could not get the security thing to properly seat. The way the male/female key is designed, it’s not that deep. If it’s at all dirty, and the weather is inclement, you are in for a heck of a time trying to get the things undone. ESPECIALLY if your dealer, like mine, decided to give your wheel nuts seemingly thousands of lb ft of torque when putting your wheels back on.

Immediately bought 6 new lug nuts online (1 for each of the 4 wheels, and 2 for the spare)-- replaced them, threw out the security key and nuts and have been happier since. That would be my recommendation.

No one is stealing Defender wheels in the US. (maybe elsewhere...)