A lug nut is a bolt that fastens a wheel to your car's hub. They can be made from a variety of materials and are available in different finishes to match your vehicle's style. Lug nuts come in a variety of sizes as indicated by threads per inch (TPI). It is important to verify that the lug nut you purchase will work with your vehicle's wheels. This can be done by comparing the lug nut's thread size to that of your vehicle's stock lug nuts.
Tightening Your Lug Nuts The lug nuts you use need to be tightened down tightly to prevent loosening. When lug nuts become loose, the clamping force between the lug and the wheel hub decreases, which causes the lug to deform or fracture.
Minimum Thread Engagement The minimum thread engagement of a lug nut set depends on the type and thickness of your vehicle's wheels. For most vehicles, it is recommended that the lug nut seats within a few turns of the lug studs inside the wheel's lug hole. Once you have verified the lug nuts are compatible with your vehicle's wheels, it is time to install them. Make sure to use a torque wrench that is calibrated to your vehicle's owner's manual to tighten the lug nuts to their recommended torque levels.