we decided to take a trip to NY (in laws)..wife wanted to stop at a local near the in laws- so i parallel park my car doing so i hit the curb a little, not so hard i am always careful since i am use to my gs400 and my 20" wheels, so with the RX i didn't care as much since i thought this is SUV and no rim damage ..so i come up check my rim for damage no damage but my tire was flat- ..now i was pissed off- i bought this car 3 months ago checked the spare looked then- so i told my wife just shop and stuff and by the time you come out i will change the tire out.

First off i had no idea how to tale the spare out, used my owners manual for that lowered the tire which i thought was pretty cool took the jack etc out and went towards the tire ---i realized i also need a key so i went back and look for it-wasnt there- i looked everywhere in the car wasn't there..now i was really pissed off.. called the wife and told her the story and asked her to call someone from her home to pick her up-

i had 2 options either call AAA have the car towed to local tire shop and tell them to break open the lock or buy the lug nut breaker myself and do it, this was around 4:30, i called few tire shops they were all closing either at 5 or 6. i had no time , i also called AAA..now an hr passes the driver comes its around 5:45, and i am thinking if i tow it tire shop they would probably be closed..

Just had it towed to the in laws house , once there went out to get a lug nut breaker myself found one at auto zone --got back and it was 1mm smaller than i would need...so we drove the in laws car back home--a whole day wasted

The RX is still in nyc and i just got off from mcgard, ordered a key should have it by tomorrow ..will go on weekend pick up the car.

My lesson was learn t next car, if its not new will make sure the stupid key is in there.

 

It is very frustrating if you are stuck on the road especially with a new vehicle.

2 questions

when you say you called AAA did you call the Lexus Road side assistance ( free for 4 yrs/50000 miles) , which is listed in the owner'smanual , Ithink they have a small card with isntructions?

When you say key are you referring to the key which will allow you to open the Wheel Locks ?

If that is what you were looking for it is in the tool box along with screwdriver in a small leather pouch. The dealer rep should have shown it to you during delivery inspection for the customer.

If you do not have it , ask the dealer to give one

 

You sure the key is not tie to the tool kit or the jack, thats where mine is in a black pouch. Oh well, its too late now.

 

My wife called the Lexus assist once for her GS {some say they are affiliated with AAA) and the question they asked over phone was .. do you have the key .. her answer was what key .. then they added even if you dont we will be be able to take the wheel off.

While the tire was being repaired my wife was driving the RX and had another flat [just her luck]

Moral of the story .. wrecker crew has more tools at their disposal.

Salim

 

too bad about the key issue, happened to me too. i was at the tire shop getting new tires and they were trying to change the tires, then they asked me where the key was...i was like i have no idea what you are talking about....anyways, looked everywhere and couldnt find it. called the dealer and the people at the dealer were like its in the black pouch, evidently a lot of people call them looking for the key.

 

agreed, the "key" should be in a black leather pouch. if im not mistaken, this is a different pouch than the tools. infact, its a very small pouch that only fits the key

 

Wow, your guys key was in a black leather pouch? Mine was just in the little McGard plastic bag that comes with all McGard locks. Crap, no wonder people have such different views of Lexus dealership experiences. Mine isn't bad at all, but its no different than any other dealership. Sounds like some of you guys get treated like Kings and Queens

PS. If one had access to a 19mm socket, you probably could have used it to remove the McGard wheel lock provided it wasn't over torqued. Its actually pretty simple. The 16 point socket grabs enough or the smooth lock sidewall to actually break it loose. Once broken loose you can remove the lock my hand if you wanted to. Now, putting it back on and torquing it down without the key is a different story

 

looked everywhere, no key- there was no black bag, other than the tool bag and first aid kit... i did have a clear plastic small bag with the mcgard card and registration in it, but no key...the AAA guy was no help at all, he had no GPS and the tire shop i told the AAA lady on the phone which i wanted to the car towed didnt know where it was (the AAA guy said he is not familiar with the area and asked if i can help him get there---at this point is was exhausted and tired so i said just tow the car to the in-laws they were 3-4 miles away...)

 

wow... that must suck so bad. getting stuck and waiting for tow truck for an hour?? i would just drive a flat tire to the nearest tire shop and get it replaced.

 

Sucks bigtime! So, guys check your keys....you do not want to get stuck and cursing like crazy!

 

Good Idea .. make sure you have the key AND also check the spare has air in it (36-38psi).

Salim

 

How did your tire even get flat in the first place?

 

hit the curb while parallel parking,

 

Update: got the key in from mcgard! that was quick, 1 day i paid extra for shipping, key cost $14.99, shipping $17.99, now hopefully it works

 

Let us know, btw you must have punctured the sidewall of the tire for it to go flat that easily.Kind of a fluke.