Use lug nuts from summer alloys on steel winter rims?

[levinas69]

Hi,

I just swapped on my winter tires on to my new (used) 2006 Mazda 6.

The winters are on steel rims whereas the summers are on alloys. I used the closed-end lug from the summer alloys on the steel rims.

The fit seems to be good. There is no obvious wiggle or play. A little drive around the block at about 30-40km reveals no issue. All is good and right.

But, on reflection, I was wondering if this was a good idea. I am wondering if were possible to be tightening the lugs up against the lug end rather than against the rim. My worry was this: if the width of the steel rims at the lug holes were thinner than the width of the alloys at the lug holes, then it is possible that the lugs are tightened against the end of the lug rather than against the wheel. I small amount of play (and potentially undetectable by the heavy-and-wiggle test (tm) )) would make a difference under driving conditions.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Best wishes,
Jay.

 

[spec2speed]

If this is any help, I used the factory lugs on steel rims on my wifes CSX for 2 seasons with no problems. I think there is more of an issue if you try using factory lugs on aftermarket rims. Once we replaced this vehicle with an 09 Murano, and got aftermarket alloys for the winter tires, Tirerack strongly recommended using special lugs for the new rims.

You should know fairly soon if your lugs aren't a good fit, if the vehicle starts clunking along the road. However this is probably highly unlikely. Most tire shops don't put special lugs on steel rims anyway.

Hope this helps.

 

[ms6acton]

for the last 3 winters ive used the factory lugs on my winter steeles. no problems at all

 

[levinas69]

Thank you. Your notes provided much reassurance. I'll stick with the factory lugs and see if I hear clunkity clunkity over the next week.

Best,
J.