Auto-themed products you should splurge on

Forgeline

Each of the five carbon and forged wheel designs from Forgeline is constructed with a carbon fibre outer rim — or “barrel” — surrounding a forged-aluminum centre. The company claims this process yields a wheel that’s light (the barrel weighs 40 per cent less than aluminum) for improved acceleration, braking, traction and ride quality. The wheels are designed specifically for street use and come in 20- and 21-inch diameters and in widths from nine to 12.5 inches. The wheels are available for $3,850 (U.S.) per wheel and up at forgeline.com.

Door step

This nifty device hooks onto the U-shaped door-latch post (just about every newer vehicle has one), allowing you to step well above ground level to access cargo on the roof. The 8.75-inch-wide (22-centimetre) Moki Door Step is said to be made of strong aircraft-grade aluminum. It has a a protective rubber bumper and can support up to 400 pounds. When not needed, it stores in the glove compartment or trunk. Get your own for $45 (U.S.) from rightlinegear.com.

Lug Ripper

Removing frozen or stripped lug nuts could be less of a headache with the Lug Ripper from Metal Edge Products, Inc. This professional-grade tool is claimed to be made from carbide metal that was originally designed to drill through four inches (10 centimetres) of solid steel up to 200 times before wearing out. It works by cutting out the 17-, 19- or 21-millimetre nut from the inside, exposing the stud that will need to be replaced. A primary benefit is that the process can be completed without damaging the wheel, as would likely be the case if a chisel, air hammer or torch were used. The complete Lug Ripper kit sells for $270 (U.S.) and includes a cutting tool, three different guide sizes, a collar clamp and wedge. Purchase at lugripper.com or call AK Quality Parts Inc. in Toronto at 416-783-3217.