For the first time since I owned our 2000 Lexus ES300 I actually had to change a tire. My wife drove the car a llittle off the shoulder of the road and the jagged edge of the asphalt ripped a five inch hole on the inside sidewall of the right front wheel.
This happened about four miles from our house. So I drove there in another vehicle, swapped vehicles so I could change the tire, and sent my spouse home. The tire changing wrench, jack, and tire looked new and factory fresh. The special key for one star-shapped lugnut was in place. Guess what? The five star key did fit onto the five star anti theft lug but would not stay on. It behaved like a stripped screw just slipping out again and again. I called for Emergency Road Service, but they could not remove the anti-owner lug nut. Finally a third party did manage to remove the lug bolt and change the tire, but the special star key socket got stuck inside his wrench, so he took it with him.
Now I have no key. I have no desire to replace the key. I just want to get an owner friendly lug nut the replace all of the anti theft lugs on our Lexus. Other than making an appointment with a Lexus Dealer do I have any other options? This difficulty did produce a long and frustrating day!