I ordered the Turbo S with the Center Locking Wheel option. Now I come to find out that these are an issue since mosttire tire shops and Porsche roadside assistance response vehicles do not have the tool to remove them.

Should I keep one (removal tool) in the car? Can it be hooked to a standard air gun? I also heard that you need someone to steep on the brakes while this is all going on.

Can someone educate me on these?

This is not a DD for me, but i would like to take it on some road trips and I am not sure how to prepare for the day I get a flat?

What are you guys doing?

 

Can't speak to the "foot on the brake" problem. If we had center locks on our Turbo S, I'd make sure I owned the tools necessary to change them. A few members thoughts on center locks here.
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ck-wheels.html

 

I don't remember the exact numbers but the centerlock wheels take something like 3-4 times the torque to loosen. Regular tire shops most likely don't have the kind of tools to change it. I was told to flatbed it to the Porsche dealership... I wouldn't chance it with a regular tire shop...

 

The centerlock socket comes with the car and is located in the trunk behind a small compartment door. Complete instructions in owners manual and the nut has torque spec marked on it.Scanned pages below.

 

Finding a torque wrench could be a problem - 370 ft lbs!! Lug bolts take 96 ft lbs.

 

That's good advice, but getting the car on a flatbed with a flat tire without damage is problematic. If you need a flatbed be sure the driver brings about 20 pieces of 2x6 cut in 12" to 18" lengths. Even using a friends winter tire/wheel as a spare barely made it possible. (My car is lowered by 20mm, which makes it even harder).

The other problem is, out here in the wild west, Porsche dealers are few and far between.

 

Thanks for the scanned instructions. That definitely convinces me I want no part of center lock wheels. "Take the car to your dealer he will be happy to assist you". Indeed, for a small fee no doubt.

 

LOL...yes, small fee with BIG bills...

 

If you get a flat out in the boonies, the special tool required may not be your only issue- the tire shop won't have your size in stock either.

 

Yes it does, but it doesn't include the special long bar and torque wrench and adapter. Torque is extremely important with this system as is proper lubrication of the nut. Mess this up and you have some serious issues. It runs between $500 and $700 to get all the stuff you need to remove and tighten that center lock nut. I'm not sure due to the length if the bars will fit in the frunk.

--CC

 

See this page, no torque wrench though:

http://www.suncoastparts.com/product/36116100.html

Search revealed another thread on this on another forum with some further tool suggestions.

 

Do you have the Center Locking wheels?

 

Yes. Have seen several Turbo S, all with center lock.

 

Holy crap!! It would take the Hulk to torque those wheels. That would keep me from getting them for sure.

 

Does not look so bad here?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzpTU7lBxBA