Securing Tire Rims with Special Bolts

[minyoung]

I bought a used car before with special bolts. I could not remove the bolt with the standard wrench. I have to use the wrench that matches its shape. The former owner says it's his security against possible tire theft (so there's such a thing, huh?). Anyhow, that special bolt cause me some inconvenience, so I replaced them later with standard bolts.

Would anyone be familiar about that special type of bolt? How is it officially called? I could not recall at the moment how it's called.

 

[jason]

It is usually something along the lines of a rim deadbolt, bead lock, or key nut. You have a special attachment for them to unlock them. But I've seen them called several different names before.

 

[minyoung]

Key nut, that's the word! I didn't know they're called many names. I find them cool but inconvenient. The fact that it can be unscrewed only by a particular type of wrench makes me uncomfortable. What if some guy plays a practical joke on me and hides that particular wrench somewhere else in the car.

Have you used them on your car?