I heard that you are supposed to put the wheels back on the exact same lugs as they originally came so that you do not change the balance. Is that true?? Because I have to go get new tires, but I refuse to bring my car there, so I am bringings the wheels to the shop? Is it really necessary to put them on the same way??

 

I never heard that but if you are getting new tires, they should be balanced on the rim. Lugs weigh so little that I doubt they would effect anything. Especially since they are the same lugs, if there are manufacturing tolerances the difference is negligible.

 

Thanks for your help, this website is the best. Any and all questions get answered so fast! Thanks!

 

When the tire shop balances your wheels they are not on the car so there is no way the lugs can have any effect on the balancing that the tire shops do.

 

Wickerbill is right. Besides being very similar in weight as Turbo_pwr states, they are close to the hub, therefore have minimal effect on balance even if they did vary in weight a great deal. Note that wheel locks have significantly different weight from stock lug nuts, yet are used quite often without problems.