I feel like this is going to be a horrendously stupid question, but I've got a tyre replacement booked via Blackcircles tomorrow for my Octy vRS with the ridiculous 19" wheels that came with the black pack plus, and the pre-fitting checklist says "remember to bring your locking wheel nut key!". Sh!t, do I need that? Where is it even located? The compartment in the boot is completely empty except for the tweezer thing for the nut caps. I had a damaged tyre replaced some time ago at a Skoda dealer and they didn't ask for a key so I'd assume it's either a standard part or there's a special location for it somewhere in the car?

 

I admit, I've never changed a wheel before. Please help!

I have the same wheels my key was in the boot with the plastic tweezers and a pump and goo for punctures. If you can get to the dealers before your tyre appointment they will have a spare to fit. I had to take mine back as someone had overtighten one nut and the key thats made of very soft ally chewed up they just took the car round the back and found one that fitted.

Crap, well it's definitely not in the boot; there's not even any tyre weld in there, literally just the tweezers in a plastic bag. I've a sneaky suspicion that the dealer took it out when they replaced the tyre previously and never put it back. :(

 

Unsure what to do now. I work 25 miles away and my wife is dropping it off on the way to her work. Gah. 

silly question but did you look in the glovebox & the lift-up compartment in the armrest?

Many dealer put the key back here after its been used.

 

 

 

Have a good search around.

 

You should have an electric pump, bottle of sealant, tweezers for the bolt covers and your locking wheel nut key under the boot floor.

 

Just check it actually has locking wheel nuts fitted. Mine didn't from new.

57 minutes ago, flybynite said:

Just check it actually has locking wheel nuts fitted. Mine didn't from new.

 

I was going to say this also, because in some countries (Switzerland for example) locking wheels nuts are not standard (you have to pay extra for them).

However, as the OP seems to be UK based, they "should" be fitted...

Thanks for the additional replies (though I wasn't notified about them), I did look in the glovebox and under the armrest but it wasn't there either.

 

In the end though, it was a lot of panic over nothing. My wife played dumb when asked about it, to which they replied "don't worry about it", and that was that. Tyres changed no problem.

 

I do wonder why I don't have any tyre weld though, the car was bought new so I'd have expected some to be provided. Can't say I ever checked it. :-/

I know I sound like a Granddad, but try and get into the habit of checking the car once a month or so.

 

Check the oil level, coolant level, top up the screenwash, check lights, check the tyres (especially after new ones, as the fitters will have over inflated them).

 

I'd recommend finding the pump and the sealant, and make sure you know the Skoda assistance number for emergencies.

 

Fluid checks and tyre pressures I do actually do on a regular basis, and I did various other bits and bobs on my old MG ZS that saved a ton on mechanics bills (thanks Haynes). I've just never had a need to change a wheel.

 

The dealer likely told me there was a can of weld in the boot and I either never bothered to check or the Skoda garage took it out when they changed the tyre previously. I'll see if I can get a replacement from them.

?

So have you checked the pressures that the Tyre Fitter set them to and adjusted if required and reset the TPMS?

Little late, but yep. Would you believe they were all correct?

As another old grandad with plenty wheel stories, here is one from Tuesday.

 

Enjoying a picnic with grandchildren by a (cold) loch when a car pulls into car park. A Brazilian family of 4 adults and 3 small children pour out of a rented Zafira with a bent front left wheel and flat tyre.

Distracted on the road and clipped a kerb.

 

I'll cut the long "will we, won't we story" short, but when I rejoined the party they'd slackened 4 wheel nuts with the help of another passer by (surprised it was nuts not bolts), but the standard chocolate wheel key had started bending and they couldn't undo the 5th nut.

 

Luckily, as I'm a grumpy old grandad, my trusty extendable non-standard wheel key soon finished the job.

Wheel was steel so hadn't welded itself to the hub either.

 

It's worth checking occasionally that you can actually undo wheel bolts and remove your wheels when the time comes.

Last week I saw a pro tyre fitter struggle to remove a wheel from a fairly new A Class.

 

Reminds me, I must go check my good lady's 2,800 mile car that I've just washed