The spare is out of the boot at Watford Gap, yet no locking key turns up, or the nut has chewed up. Off it comes with the alloy unmarked, and standard nuts go on.
It usually comes to light when a driver finally stops after the M45 with a puncture: a Rugby retail park, a Dunchurch side street, the car park at Watford Gap, with the operator's permission. The jack is out, the glovebox and boot are searched and no locking key appears, or a borrowed socket slips and rounds the nut. Company and hire cars shuttling between the M1 and Coventry can be affected too, because keys go astray between drivers.
Stop trying once the nut starts to round, since hammering sockets on is how alloys get gouged. On the call, tell us the car, the wheel type and whether that key is lost somewhere up the M1 or snapped in the nut. The fitter uses dedicated removal tools to take the locking nut off, fits a standard nut in its place and then deals with the tyre, repair or replacement, during that one visit, priced before anyone sets off.
Once you have rung, we can also cover emergency tyre repair, puncture repair on the M45 and broken tyre replacement.
Level ground is needed to work on a wheel: Watford Gap services, a Dunchurch street or a car park in Rugby, with the operator's permission. Locking nuts never come off at the J1 roundabout or anywhere on the M45 carriageway.
| Road | M45 Dunchurch spur |
|---|---|
| Operator | National Highways |
How locking wheel nuts are removed →Locking wheel nut removal on the M45 page
Drivers who come off the M45 and head into Coventry sometimes find the locking key is missing when a tyre needs changing. Alvis Retail Park, Central Six Retail Park and the streets near Canley station are possible meeting points. Without that key the locked bolt can still be drawn out, after which the fitter puts the wheel back on. Say which car park and which aisle the car is in.
Before assuming the key is lost after an M45 trip, empty the glovebox, feel down the seat sides, lift the boot floor and look inside the spare wheel well or tyre kit tray. The original key often came with a code card, and that number can get a replacement ordered. Keep the logbook or rental papers handy for proof of ownership. The fitter protects the alloy while working. Chewed nuts justify a fresh locking set. Keep the car on level ground in Dunchurch or Rugby.
Rated 5.0 from 151 Google reviews across everywhere we work.
"Absolutely amazing service. First call-out for a replacement tyre after hours and I was amazed."
"Faultless experience. Great communication, attitude and service."
Locking key missing after the M45? Pull in at Watford Gap, Dunchurch or Rugby and ring.
