My 2009 CTTS has less than 20K miles and is Detailed every week yet the lugs are all rusted. Dealer said it is normal. Only change tires twice a year for winter/summer.

Is that normal?

 

I would say for your location it is totally normal.

 

Wheel cleaner is the biggest culprit usually.

 

....and the wheel socket/ lug wrench that scraped the finish off the bolt heads under normal use.

 

You could go to titanium lug bolts, but they're not cheap!

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...nium-lugs.html

 

The wife's '99 Boxster had the same problem. When I had the wheels off to install new tires I bought a can of silver wheel spray paint from Autozone--wire brushed the bolts to remove the rust--after spraying with the silver wheel paint they look like new. When I remove the Cayenne wheels to install snow tires I use a SnapOn 6 point socket--this socket contacts the bolt on the flats (SnapOn calls this "flank drive")--I think this helps to not chip the paint on the bolts.

 

...get a brand new set of regular lugs (not that pricey - Suncoast).

(actually Porsche parts at local dealers are 20% off right now).

Take them to a metal plating outfit and get them stripped & zinc anodized.

When you replace the old set get them stripped & zinc anodized as well.

Then you'll be prepared for the next swap.

Far cheaper than buying titanium... which, IMHO, is overrated anyway.

 

Thanks for all your comments. I think I will get extra sets of bolts and repaint the other ones when winter wheels swaps occurs.