I'm considering purchasing a 17" wheel and tire package from the Tire Rack for my TL SH-AWD, but the "specific installation hardware" required gives me pause. When you click on that, it lists lugnuts, centering rings, and a "lug installation tool". This same list is provided no matter what brand of wheel selected.

I can understand different lugnuts to fit into smaller clearance holes machined into the non-stock wheels, but don't quite understand why I'd need a lug installation tool and centering rings.

I did a search of this forum and couldn't find anything about this. I'm particularly concerned with time required to swap out lugs every winter and fall.

As a backup plan, can anyone confirm the OEM 17" wheels will fit over the SH-AWD brakes? It seems they should if aftermarkets fit.

Thanks.

 

Why would you want 17" wheels in the first place?


Beyond that, yes, most of the time you need hub-centric rings. The vast majority of wheels have a different hub bore than the hub size of your car.

The Lug Tool, might be if the lugs are a security/anti-theft type lug - similar to the wheel locks Acura adds as an "upgrade".

Finally, why would you want 17" wheels in the first place?

 

lug nut install tool could just be the a thinner socket. ? if ur concerened, call them and ask, they're super nice, and very helpful!

The centering ring just makes it so that the hub bore on the wheel, matches the one on ur car. this is why TR asks for ur car info! You can install rims w/o it... but if u dont do it exactly right, u'll get a nasty wobble, and ur wheels could potentially fall off (happened to a coworker of mine). So it's not suggested w/o em! It's really not a big deal to have them on ur rims!!

.... if ur switching out ur wheels.. u gotta take off all the lugs anyways... so i dont know what u mean by being "concerned with time required to swap out lugs every winter and fall"....?? i have 3 cars, and i gotta do it for my ody, and it's actually faster cause i can just dump one set as i take em off the car into a box, and grab from another box. I don't see the issue.

I believe the 17" OEM does clear the brakes... but im not 100% sure. use the search function for this one!

 

Damn got ninja posted! lol

 

 

Thanks for the insight so far. My take-aways so far:

1. In some parts of the country "lug" and "lug nut" appear to mean the same thing. Maybe my sense of the English language is off, but I thought a "lug" was the bolt onto which the lug nut screws, which is why there exists the term lug *nut*. If the "lug installation tool" is the same thing as a "lug nut installation tool", then I won't have any concern over additional time swapping out the wheels/tires twice per year. Maybe there's another differention in the language as well - a "lug nut" that is closed on one side may also be termed a "lug", where a "lug nut" is the kind where the bolt can pass all the way through. If that's the case, I can chalk it up to learning something new every day.

2. Centering rings no longer concern me.

In answer to the comments/questions back to me:

1. While arguably uglier, 17" wheels and higher profile, narrower tires for the winter actually perform better in the snow than wide, low profile "toboggans". And, they cost a lot less too. Given that my car is covered in grime and salt 80% of the time in the winter months, I'm not very concerned about the wheels looking less cool in that time period.

2. I've bought from the Tire Rack before. They are friendly and knowledgeable; but I thought I'd get some input from actual TL owners who have bought one of these winter tire and wheel packages before I consult with them.

Thanks!

 

yep, i have 17" as snows. and i stepped down a size in width to cut thru the snow, instead of riding on top. it's a sacrifice in aesthetics... but safety is more important

 

I just remembered that we (AcuraZine) have our own personal contact at TireRack.

Contact Sonny if you have questions and let him know you're from AcuraZine:

O: 888 428 8355 ext. 789
O: 574 287 2345 ext. 789
F: 574 236 7707
sonny@tirerack.com

 

I bought these for my wifes 2010 SH-AWD with Blizzaks. The 17" wheels are the smallest you can go and yes the 17" OEM wheels wil fit as well.
Car is a tank in the snow.

http://www.scottmarlow.net/images/ms...s_ci3_l_1_.jpg