Are Aluminum Lug Nuts Safe?

[Muskoka800]

I'm casually shopping for some aftermarket lug nuts for my FRS.
Many of the choices are aluminum with others being steel.
Are aluminum lugnuts strong enough for a DD riding the GTA's frost destroyed roads?
I also wonder if aluminum nuts on steel studs might fuse together over time.

Constructive/educated thoughts most welcome.

[Leonardo]

Yes, Aluminum lug nuts are safe for DD. (insert the word quality in this sentence)

I tried a set of cheap aluminum lug nuts, used them for one set of tires, and threw them away. Went back to steel.

Aluminum on aluminum contact can cause galling. I wouldn't worry about it happening at all with the steel studs.


EDIT: After seeing the pic below of the lug nut fused to the stud; this is something to consider...

[churchx]

+1. Quality forged alu lugnuts should be safe, if one doesn't expect them to do unreasonable things. For example, if you do very frequent wheel mounts (such as changing wheels many times like in eg. prior/past track day), if you over-tighten them with power tools (frequent issue in many tire/wheel shops for time saving and due incompetence of some staff) instead of final tightening with hand tools, and don't expect of their shiny nice finish to last forever. It will get damaged. And if it's not some chinese cheap counterfeit lugnuts of known brands, that actually might be made of cheaper alloy of lesser strength.
So for DD car that sees usually at most two wheel changes a year for winter/summer tire change, where you remind tire shop workers to undo/tighten with hand tools, quality brand forged aluminum lugnuts are safe. For switch to/from track wheel set, for power tools use on lugnuts for personal convenience and speed, i'd go for steel lugnuts. Without abuse alu does fine, with abuse steel stands better against.

[Code Monkey]

I used 949Racing aluminum lug nuts on my Mazdaspeed6 racecar with great success. No luck on my BRZ, the lug nuts would fuse to the studs, picture. Did not use any antiseize on either car. Switched to steel lug nuts, zero problems so far.

[Leonardo]

Originally Posted by Code Monkey

I used 949Racing aluminum lug nuts on my Mazdaspeed6 racecar with great success. No luck on my BRZ, the lug nuts would fuse to the studs, picture. Did not use any antiseize on either car. Switched to steel lug nuts, zero problems so far.

Damn! That pic of your ARP studs is crazy! The lug nuts totally fused to the studs!

[Sapphireho]

My 1977 911S came with aluminum lug nuts from the factory. I hope they are ok.

[Muskoka800]

Thanks for quick responses.
I'll add that no shop touches my car other than warranty work.
I use hand tools only to remove and install my wheels.
Not winter driven so seldom do I need to touch them and use the same set-up on-track (lapping only).
Anti-seize may be an option although I've read to never put anything (grease or anti-seize) on wheel studs. Dry installs only and torqued to spec.

[churchx]

Suggest to never use any grease or anti-seize on wheel stud threads. Just clean them, with eg. rug.

[GrabTheWheel]

I'm using 949 lugs and ARP studs. Multiple wheel changes and no trouble yet. I will probably replace both the lugs and wheels after a few years though as they are both technically consumables.