I have a 1993 SC300 that I just got in February. Locking lug nuts were dealer installed when the car was purchased in 1993. The previous owner in California got new tires a year ago. I, in Illinois, only discovered today that the California tire shop returned the wrong lug key to the previous owner. I'd love to get as many suggestions as possible as to what I should/can do. Does anyone know if, in 1993, Lexus used "factory" locking lug nuts? Third party supplier lug nuts? Should I try to somehow get a replacement key? Bust the locking lugs off somehow?

Thanks in advance!

 

Swing by a tire shop and ask if they have a key that matches them. They tend to stock all the common lug keys (there aren't many) because owners frequently lose track of theirs.

You could then look around for such a key to purchase. Or, my preference would be to plan ahead and buy some different lug nuts to bring into the shop and have them swap out at that time.

(Some locking lug nuts can be defeated with a socket, but you didn't post a picture of them...)

 

Thank you, t2d2! That helps a lot!!

 

If you just want to get them off, you can find a 12 point deep socket that is just barely too small to fit over them, and then bash it on with a hammer, and then remove it with that socket.
Pretty much what the tire shop is going to do if you take it to them without the key, which is also a good option.
I would get them taken off however you can and then replace with some good aftermarket ones like Gorilla lug nuts, because even if you can find the original key and save them, the original key design is so weak the first time you take it to a tire shop and they use the impact on it they are going to break your key anyways, which is probably what happened to the original.
I have had it happen on every single toyota and lexus vehicle I drop off at discount tire, and I got tired of taking off my lock nuts at home by hand. the aftermarket ones will hold up to an impact for a good amount of time.

I think these are the ones, you can get them off amazon
Gorilla Automotive 73631T Toyota O.E. Wheel Locks With Washer

 

Good stuff! Thank you, Ali SC3.