Wheel locking key - universal??

[Sarahwiththeblue500]

Hi everyone - having a bit of a dilemma and hoping someone can help!
Today I collected my little blue fiat 500 from the Fiat Direct dealership in Hayes, Middlesex. It's a 12 reg, not brand new, so we checked in the boot that all of the tools were present and the wheel locking key was missing!

The sales man (COMPLETE pain in the backside and a nightmare to have had to deal with) came out to say that he couldn't get the key because it was locked in the admin office to which he did not have the key - I know... - but as we live over 2 hours away we left, having been promised that he would post it to us once he could get it out.

Now... My question is, are the wheel locks universal, or bespoke to each car? When he said it was locked away (which seems strange/unbelievable) we asked if we could just have one from another car which he could then replace, but he said it would not work on my car. Is that right?

Losing my mind over this whole scenario - any help MUCH appreciated!!

Thanks,
Sarah

 

[homeward]

I may be wrong -- it is very late... -- but, if I remember correctly, each key has a code (possibly four or five digits): which is on a label on the box that contains the socket/key and bolts. That way: you can order replacements (from any FIAT dealer), should anything go awry....

Hope this helps....

PS: Welcome to the Forum...!

PPS: Just found this thread... -- which gives a little bit more info....

 

[custard]

Hi everyone - having a bit of a dilemma and hoping someone can help!
Today I collected my little blue fiat 500 from the Fiat Direct dealership in Hayes, Middlesex. It's a 12 reg, not brand new, so we checked in the boot that all of the tools were present and the wheel locking key was missing!

The sales man (COMPLETE pain in the backside and a nightmare to have had to deal with) came out to say that he couldn't get the key because it was locked in the admin office to which he did not have the key - I know... - but as we live over 2 hours away we left, having been promised that he would post it to us once he could get it out.

Now... My question is, are the wheel locks universal, or bespoke to each car? When he said it was locked away (which seems strange/unbelievable) we asked if we could just have one from another car which he could then replace, but he said it would not work on my car. Is that right?

Losing my mind over this whole scenario - any help MUCH appreciated!!

Thanks,
Sarah

Think about it. if they were universal,then there would be no point of 'locking' them

 

[s130]

Keys are not universal. A few hundred or thousand combinations.

As you brought this attention to the dealer as part of the sales/pickup transaction then they should replace the key for you. If you can't find the code then the dealer will be able to get the code.

My only reservation is that I do no know if the car was supplied new by Fiat with locking wheel nuts. Some models are supplied with them. If they were an after market fit/purchase by a previous owner then things could be a little more difficult to resolve, but not impossible.

 

[jrkitching]

My only reservation is that I do no know if the car was supplied new by Fiat with locking wheel nuts. Some models are supplied with them. If they were an after market fit/purchase by a previous owner then things could be a little more difficult to resolve, but not impossible.

AFAIK all UK 500's with alloy wheels will be fitted with locking bolts. My 500 lounge with standard 15" alloys had them, and in alloy terms, that's the bottom of the range. Interestingly it also had four normal wheel bolts in the little black box.

When you finally get one, there's a neat little space in the passenger seat storage compartment which is just the right size and shape to keep it in. See this.

 

[dave]

dealer techs should have a master set, they see what fits and give the number to parts to order one.

 

[J4MIE1243]

Just out of interest, I was out taking photos at the Classic Safari Rally just over a year ago, and in our spare car (after BOTH the Trooper's diffs had broken - but that's another story!), t'was a non- turbo Impreza. We got a puncture one morning and hopped out to change it but the locking key was nowhere to be found. Only had steel wheels but you have to lock most things down out there......

Anyway after a bit of head scratching we shoved a few bits of gravel in the wheelbrace, banged it on with a hammer and hey presto, out it comes.

The next day, we hit a pot hole (when I say pot hole, I mean a huge crater, African-stylee) on the road past Tsavo National Park and punctured the front left... So hopped out and tried the same trick but it just wasn't happening. After a while another car stopped and I went over to say what the problem was, he offered to let us try his key - I was about to suggest that he gets on his way but desperation got the better of me. Gave it a go and it fitted like a glove! Took them off the rest of the wheels and drove away without being eaten by any lions....

He was in a Volvo.