Wheel spikes

Most wheel spikes sold are made out of plastic painted to mimic metal and are primarily novelty items.

[4] Wheel spikes attached to the hubcaps of semi trucks are essentially stylized versions of plastic lug nut covers, which may offer protection from rusting and have more common round and flat counterparts.

[1][2] Some wheel spikes applied to cars, known as "swangers," are much larger and longer and are permanently attached to the rims, and usually command much higher prices, from US$4,500 to US$10,000.

[1][7][8] Wheel spikes often cause controversy due to their menacing appearance despite being mostly made of plastic and easily removed or broken off.

[3] In the Australian state of Victoria, fitting vehicles with "any protruding object that is likely to increase the risk of bodily injury" is punishable with an AU$379 fine, and wheel spikes may also increase the width of a vehicle beyond the legal limit of 2.5 meters (8.2 feet).