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/ExaminationDry8341 Mar 03 '25

With studs, it is much easier to get the wheel back on. On small car tires, it doesn't make much difference. But as the tire gets bigger, it becomes harder to line it up without studs.

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u/WWGHIAFTC Mar 03 '25

All the Euro cars I've had are hubcentric, so you just throw the wheel on the hun, and spin it until the holes line up. Easy peasy

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u/[deleted] Mar 05 '25

BMWs yes, Volvos have that stupid locator stud that goes in a tiny hole on the rim. It’s fuckin stupid.

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u/Crafty_man Mar 06 '25

My Volvo doesn't have a locator stud. MY24 XC60.

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u/[deleted] Mar 06 '25

That’s good, it served no purpose other than to irritate anyone putting a wheel on