Tire & Wheel Accessories

What is in this category

Wheel and tire accessories are the supporting parts that make a wheel setup work or keep it safe. The subcategories include lug nuts, wheel center caps, spare tire covers, jacks, snow chains, tire pressure monitor sensors, valve stems, trim rings, lug wrenches, tire valve deflators, hub spacers and tire air chucks.

Many items are universal, but several, like TPMS sensors and lug nuts, still depend on your vehicle and wheel.

Lug nuts and thread size

Lug nuts are the part most worth getting right. Check three things:

• Thread size and pitch, such as 12x1.5, 12x1.25, 14x1.5 or 9/16-18. The wrong thread damages studs.
• Seat type, either conical, ball or flat, which must match your wheel.
• Style and length, including spline drive, open end, or extended shank for thick wheels.

Spline-drive nuts need the matching key, which comes with many kits. Aftermarket wheels often need different nuts than factory wheels, so use what the wheel maker specifies.

Jacks, wrenches and recovery tools

A big-foot off-road jack gives a wider base on soft ground, which is useful on trails. Check the rated capacity against your vehicle's weight, and use jack stands, never the jack alone, when working under a vehicle. Telescoping and fold-down lug wrenches give leverage for large nuts, but do not over-tighten with a cheater bar. Use a torque wrench for final tightening and recheck after the first drive.

TPMS, chains and spacers

Programmable TPMS sensors cover multiple vehicles but need to be programmed and relearned. Frequency, such as 315 or 433 MHz, must suit the system. Snow chains must fit the tire size and your vehicle's clearance, and chain use rules vary by state. Wheel hub spacers change offset and affect steering and bearing load, so choose hub-centric parts, use proper studs, and have a professional install if unsure.

Confirm fitment for your exact year, make and model, and check the manufacturer's specifications for wheel and tire size.

Keep a small kit of the basics in the vehicle, such as a lug wrench that fits your nuts, a rated jack, and a tire gauge or deflator. Having the right tool before a flat on the trail is far easier than improvising with the wrong one.

Choosing sensibly and avoiding mistakes

Because this category is so varied, start with the job. If a wheel will not come off, you need a correct socket and a torque wrench, not a longer bar. If the tires lose air slowly, valve stems and TPMS sensors are the first place to look. If you drive in snow or sand, a deflator and a way to reinflate are worth carrying.

• Replace valve stems whenever tires are replaced, since rubber ages.
• Keep a note of your lug nut size, key and torque value in the glove box.
• Do not reuse a center cap that does not match the wheel's bore, since it can loosen and fall off.
• Check that a spare tire cover fits the actual tire diameter, not only the wheel size.