Wheels

Loose lug nuts can allow a wheel to shift or separate from the vehicle. Over-tightening creates a different hazard: it can stretch studs or bolts and damage

On a clear autumn morning, summer performance tires can suddenly feel hard, vague, and slow to respond. The steering loses some of its usual road feel

Studs can look like sensible insurance against the occasional icy road, even if most of your winter driving is on cleared, wet pavement.

Two tires can share the same size and still have different load and speed markings. Buying by size alone can leave you with a tire that fits the wheel

A V-shaped tread can look ready for a downpour, while an asymmetric tire may promise steadier cornering. Either can be a sensible purchase.

A cramped garage, a balcony, and a tire storage service can all seem like sensible places for an off-season set. Yet a hot corner or moisture trapped inside

An affordable cast wheel and a costly forged alternative can look much the same in a product listing. The forged option may offer a useful weight saving

A tire can look serviceable from a few steps away while its center or one shoulder is worn much lower than the rest. A quick glance may catch obvious damage

A wheel can match the vehicle’s bolt pattern and still rub the strut, spring, brake caliper, or fender. The mounting holes confirm only that the wheel

Wheel locks can slow a thief trying to remove your wheels, but they also add a key to keep track of, extra work at tire changes, and a fitment decision