Lug Nut covers, I dunno what they''re called

[browntown]

I was driving down I-5 today and it started to really bother me so I thought I'd ask you guys. Lots of FWD cars, minivans, lots of saturns, some chryslers, and today a celica gts have this odd plastic looking thing sticking out from the front wheels a couple inches that covers the lug nut area. They look like a$$. They can't be cosmetic, there has to be a functional reason, anyone know what they're called or what they do? I'll look around google images and see if I can find a pic.

[Hick]

Nope, cosmetic... some hold on the centercaps but mostly they are there to please the eye of the american consumer

[Ben Carufel]

He's thinking about the snow chain quick-release plates.

This isn't exactly what you mean, but it'll give you a general idea of what I'm talking about.

http://www.spikesspider.com/how.htm

[Ben Carufel]

Here's the official BMW way to do it:

[browntown]

thank god there is a real purpose, I was about to do the PIT maneuver on the celica today. They look so bad, they have plenty of chains out there that work without this. I cant seem to find a picture online of what I've been seeing. They look plastic generally.

[Hick]

ah, misunderstood

[browntown]

was reading that saturns in specific dont have enough clearance for normal chains and that the dealers sell this stupid gizmo. I have saturn of salem to blame. Found a picture on a mini:

[Jand3rson]

He's thinking about the snow chain quick-release plates.

This isn't exactly what you mean, but it'll give you a general idea of what I'm talking about.

http://www.spikesspider.com/how.htm

Thank you Ben! I have always wondered what the fuck those things are!