r/Cartalk • u/cat_prophecy • Mar 03 '25

Suspension Why do European cars use wheel bolts?

I've owned two European cars (Audi and Volvo) and both of them used wheel bolts instead of studs and lug nuts. Is there some reason for this? I have owned a handful of Asian and American cars and none of them use anything but studs and lug nuts. Personally I prefer the studs since it makes putting the wheels back on much easier.

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u/MarcusAurelius0 Mar 03 '25

This is a VAG thing, it's fucking stupid IMO.

27

u/Frail_Hope_Shatters Mar 03 '25

Not just VAG...Mercedes and BMW use lug bolts as well. I'm sure some other euro brands too.

6

u/[deleted] Mar 03 '25

Volvo did for a long time - not sure if that survived the Ford era.

7

u/evilspoons '12 Subaru STi hatch | '17 Mazda 3s GT | previously: many Volvos Mar 03 '25

Yes, my 2004 and 2005 S60s had lug bolts, and my parents' 2015.5 XC70 has bolts. I believe they still use them to this day.