While getting a flat fixed at Discount Tire the guy made a big fuss about getting the aluminum lug nuts on my 2018 F 150 exchanged for steel ones.

1. Is there anything to this?

2. Any recommended lug nuts to exchange them for?

Yes this is actually a legit problem.

Thanks. Replacement set purchased.

Had the same issue and started a thread on here a couple months back. Ordered the gorilla nuts and Discount switched them out for me for free. I would have done it myself but I was afraid I would strip one and/or wouldn't be able to get it off.

Yes, common problem. For whatever reason, dating back to the dodge 19MM lug nuts that had a stupid chrome cap, OEM lugs have continued to suck.

I helped a guy change a flat in his tundra (tq specs are 105 ft/lbs) and it took very muscle I had to break 4 loose and a finally a 4' cheater bar on the 5th lug. I have heard from my buddies that are still at DTC that they always recommend replacing OEM tundra lug nuts for certain years and maybe wheel types.

The fords suck because the have a large point of contact with the wheel and the torque spec is 150 ft/lbs (at least it was).

Your lugnuts are not aluminum. They're steel with a polished SS Cap on them.

2018 year model seems early for needing replacement. Whos been taking the wheels off and on the truck?

The problem are all the techs taking the wheels off with worn out sockets. Good sockets will not strip the lugs.

The two different metals do form a galvanic cell and there can be expansive corrosion. I think this led to the outside spinning off the inside or distorting too easily. They also seemed a bit softer steel than was warranted for 150ft/lb torque with that flat contact surface. I guess if they made it much harder it would wear at the lugs over several tire rotations.

For whatever reason, I am not seeing problems with the aftermarket lugnuts I bought.

Only have had tires rotated at Ford dealer. Think the DT guy wasn't telling me I had a problem just that I could have a problem. I'll hold onto the replacements until I get my tires changed probably summer.

Mostly just using my furlough to take care of all the things I've thought, "I should look into that."

Late to this topic, but I ran into this Monday trying to change a flat on my '18 F-150 in the middle of nowhere. 21 mm socket nor OEM tire tool would fit on lugs. Got a 22 mm socket and impact on there, but caps just spun on the lug nuts. Luckily I had a plug kit and compressor on board so I just plugged it. I guess in the future I could just hammer a 21 mm socket on there and destroy the cap/replace later.

That's exactly what I would do. I believe you can replace those lug nuts with an aftermarket or a similar all metal design form Ford but not 100% on that. I would either do that or keep a rubber mallet/hammer and an impact driver on board for next time.

Change them. Get a real set. I got a flat once and it took me a looooong damn time to change it on the side of the road because I rounded off the stainless caps.

Immediately bought both myself and my dad solid lugs. Money very well spent. It should be an essential purchase, imo.

They make, and most of the shops have, 0.5mm socket sizes.

Why the OEM won't just stop using these ridiculous lugs with SS caps is absolutely beyond my comprehension.