Tire size for 16'' wheels?

Not at all, due to the ratio of the steel to aluminum. There's a lot more aluminum than steel. That's why stainless steel fasteners are used in marine applications with aluminum, although the two are kind of far apart on the galvanic reaction series.

 

about those aluminum lug nuts, are the cheap ones even strong enough to do the job? not that i'd want alloy lugs, but i'm curious whether they ever fail. seems like asking for trouble to me.

 

Other than rivets, which are "positioning" fasteners, I have not seen ant use of aluminum bolts, nuts or threaded fasteners of any kind during the entire 50 years that I had in experience with aircraft and spacecraft. Aircraft threaded fasteners have always been either steel (plated with cadmium, now zinc) or titanium.

I haven't seen the wide use of aluminum bolts and nuts in commercial applications since the 1970's. The last OEM supplier of bolts I've seen came with aluminum lamp post for roadside use in the late 1970's.

Stainless steel is only used in the 400 series martensic stainless steels, and not the softer 300 series austensic ones commonly used like 304.

3000 series alloys are usually used in rivets due to their ductability in forming and resistance to mechanical fracture.

6000 series aluminum has it's problems. It should be treaded to steel tuds with an ant-seize lubricant or galling may occur. Galling cause thead stripping and high friction. High frictional resistance results in fasteners that when properly torques, will actually be too loose, since bolts hold on account of proper tensioning. Even on steel lugs and steel lugs, I've seen loose fasteners gouge out and enlarge the lug holes of steel wheels.

7075 aluminum has its faults in a phenomenon called "stress corrosion cracking." For theat reason, they are seldom used in aircraft. Microscopic cracks due to stress develop and corrosion from environmental conditions causes failure. 7075 is widely used in aircraft frame and wing structures nut NEVER in threaded fasteners.

I race cars, where cost is NOT a factor, and where long term use is NOT a factor, and ever ounce of weight counts, 7075 alloy lug nuts might server their purpose.

In military aircraft and spacecraft, fasteners removed after installation are NEVER reused, because it can NEVER be determined if they have been overtensioned.

So, chrome plated steel lug nuts are your best bet.

 

so if someone did want the anodised lugs, they should throw them away every time they rotate their tires.
mercedes is using aluminum bolts in their transmissions now (stupid idea). you shouldn't have to r&r the valve body very often, but all the fasteners are single use.

 

Sure, you can reuse them, but you can't be assured that they will be as strong as they are when first used.

Steel, however, has an infinite life, if properly torqued.

Aircraft and spacecraft designers and builders would choose steel exclusively, if weight was not a problem. Nothing holds better than an SAE Grade 8 or a 10.9 J.I.S. or DIN spec bolt or nut. Titanium is NOT better, just lighter in weight.

The weight save for the small bolts on the transmission valve body is insignificant. I can't figure any real advantage of using aluminum bolts in a transmission, since there is virtually NO corrosion problem, because the assembly is bathed in oil.

 

i imagine titanium lug nuts would be stupid expensive, but any weight saved in the wheel area apparently has a greater effect than sprung weight savings. and i wish i could afford titanium rods for my chevelle...

 

What category is worse than stupid expensive? 'Cause I'm pretty sure this falls into it...

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what? only $1750 for lug bolts? i think thats a great deal... if you're donald trump...
yes those are truly beyond stupid. must be nice. most of my cars weren't worth that much.

 

iiGoing

 

Going back to the tire size question.... Mathematically a 215/50x16 tire is exactly the same as an original equipment 185/65x15 tire in terms of diameter (24.4645 inch diameter vs. 24.4685 inch diameter). My question is...has anyone replaced their original 185/65x15 tires with 215/50x16 tires & wheels...and was there any problems with wheel well clearance, etc.?

 

It is an oddball size with very few choices. You'd drop mpg as well. Clearance wouldn't be an issue.

 

Thanks. I believe your are right on both mpg loss & wheel well clearance (tires.com has 3 choices in that odd size)....but would sure give my skinny tired '09 a unique new look.

 

You could go with a wider wheel and slightly wider tire like the GenIII has. If you get a wheel with a lower offset it will bring the wheel closer to the outside of the wheel well and may the tire look wider. With the narrow wheel and high offset, the package just looks weak. The wider wheel and lower offset will enhance handling without hurting fuel economy too much. Maybe something like a 205/60/15 would look nice and provide better handling/stability. There are a few good choice in that size. If you want better looks and don't mind the FEW hit just go all out with a set of 17s.

 

205/60r15 fits the stock wheels just fine w/ no or minor mpg loss.