98 es 300, just bought, what does the lug nut lock key look like, is it an actual key or a special socket like on my trans am? one lug nut on each of my wheels is shorter, has the lock nut been replaced?

 

yeah the its probably the oem lock nut. it usually is in the shape of some sort of star and the lock is a little shorter. the key itself looks a lot like a socket with a groove for the lock. they are all made by mcgard. show us a pic so that we can help you identify if its even oem or not.

Charley

 

You can tell by looking at the lug nuts if one is a lock. Instead of a standard symmetrical six-sided lug, a lock will have irregularly shaped sides.

If the shorter lug looks normal, then the car may have had wheel locking lugs at one time, but they were replaced with regular lug nuts that for some reason were shorter than the other regular lug nuts.

If you think you have locks, try searching carefully in the trunk for the socket that fits the locks. I keep my wheel lock socket in with the Lexus tool kit next to the side panel under the trunk mat.