4 Tips to Find the Right Lug Nuts & Wheel Locks

Looking for new wheel lug nuts or wheel locks? Need some help? Or are you getting confused with all the different styles and options to choose from? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered and we’re here to help! There are several types of lug nuts and the correct one will vary by your vehicle and wheel style. It’s easy to assume that your vehicle’s year, make, and model should point you toward the correct lug nut or wheel lock. Although it’s a good starting point, it doesn’t account for the other important factor…your wheels!

Depending on your vehicle’s options or submodel, you may have a different type of wheel than your neighbor who drives the same car. This is why it’s important to take note of your wheels when you choose a new wheel lug nut or wheel lock. Here are four tips to help you find and select the right lug nut or wheel lock.

#1 - Check Your Vehicle’s Thread Size

This is the best starting point to figure out what kind of wheel lug nut or wheel lock you will need. Most auto manufacturers will standardize the wheel lug thread size for a particular make and model. But manufacturers will make changes and updates to newer generations and using the exact year, make, model, and submodel will help you find the most accurate thread size information.

#2 - Find Out What Seating Style You Need

After you’ve figured out the correct thread size, it’s time to determine your wheel’s seating style or lug nut mating surface. The shape of your wheel’s seating surface will vary by the manufacturer and the material type of your wheel. Cone seat lug nuts are the most common type, but there are some manufacturer-specific standards that can change which lug nut or wheel lock you will need. For example, Toyota aluminum wheels will need a mag seat lug nut. On the other hand, Toyota steel wheels will use a cone seat lug nut. This is just one example of how important it is to know your wheel application in addition to your vehicle information when searching for lug nuts or wheel locks.

#3 - Understand What Lug Nut Style is Best For Your Wheel

If you’re replacing factory lug nuts, it is best to stick with an OEM style lug nut or wheel lock so that it fits best with your wheel and lug wrench. There are several lug nut styles to choose from ranging from a traditional acorn style to a spline drive lug nut meant for aftermarket wheels. If you just got some slick new aftermarket wheels, be sure to check with your wheel’s manufacturer or dealer for which lug nut style they recommend.

#4 - Do Your Lug Nuts Have Any Special Requirements?

Not all lug nuts are created equal. Some lug nut designs are specific to a vehicle or wheel type. Take, for example, the 2011 Ford Fusion. If there are steel wheels with hubcaps, you would need a lug nut with the same exact features as the factory one because the wheel nuts hold the hubcaps in place. On the other hand,  the same 2011 Ford Fusion with aluminum wheels will use a totally different lug nut because there are no hubcaps to retain. Other vehicles have similar examples that are specific to the manufacturer or wheel type. Some other special lug nut requirements might include using open-ended, dual threaded, extended thread, or lug nuts with a left-hand thread pattern, rather than the more common right-hand thread pattern.

Who knew there was so much to think about when shopping for new lug nuts or wheel locks? Are you getting lost, confused, or overwhelmed with all of the possible options for your wheels? Start with our Browse By Vehicle Page.

If you need additional help,  reach out to our Customer Experience team. Our fitment experts will gladly provide some guidance to help you find new lug nuts and wheel locks. Visit our Fitment Questions Page to get started.