Three Things to Know When Buying a Lug Wrench
Do you have the right iron for the job? Consider these three factors when making your decision.
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Tire irons are the last thing you want to have to use when operating your vehicle. But when you need them they better work, and work well, and you better be able to find them. The only thing worse than standing in the rain or snow trying to change your flat tire is standing there with a lug wrench that doesn’t fit, doesn’t work or you can’t find. Tools supplied with your vehicle aren’t always reliable. When you finally figure out where they’re stowed and how to assemble them, all too often you’re pitifully undergunned for the task at hand. Here are three factors to consider to ensure you aren’t that guy.
It will fit up to eight SAE and offers two-handed leverage to loosen the toughest seized nuts. EPAuto
Your vehicle has lug nuts of a certain size. Depending on your vehicle the nuts could be either standard or metric, with the most common sizes being 10-14mm or 7/16 to 5/8 inches. Make sure your tire iron fits them. Your owner’s manual should tell you the size you need.
This one is versatile enough to be used with cars, light trucks, SUVs, RVs and vans. WORKPRO
Tire irons or lug wrenches come in a number of styles, from the traditional L-shaped or four-way lug wrench to versions that telescope or can be disassembled into a small tube. The most common are the cross-shaped universal lug wrench that features four different socket sizes, one on each end (or sometimes three with a wedge used to pop off wheel covers and hubcaps). L-shaped irons have a socket on one end and wedge on the other, but are not as popular due to lack of versatility.
It can be compacted down to 14 inches when not in use for easy storage. Gorilla Automotive
One problem with standard 4-way lug wrenches is that they’re awkward to stow; which then can lead to misplacing them (not fun when you need them most!). Newer designs feature telescopic, folding or assembly designs that make them easier to stow. You might have plenty of room for your four-way and love the leverage you get with tough-to-loosen lug nuts, but with smaller vehicles stowability can be a significant factor.