Can the small nuts for license plates be omitted?
3 Answers
License plate small nuts cannot be omitted. Nuts are essential fixing accessories for license plate installation. Generally, four nuts are required for the front and rear license plates, but usually two extra are provided, not all of which need to be used. Self-tapping screws are used on the top of the license plate, and anti-theft bolts are used on the bottom. The installation method is basically the same as that of self-tapping screws. It should be noted that the two screw positions under the front bumper need to be drilled. The original position is for long self-tapping screws, with a plastic column resembling a barrel. To install the anti-theft bolts, you need to go to a 4S shop and ask a car repair technician for help. The plastic baffle under the front of the car needs to be removed, and then the washer, spring washer, and nut can be installed by reaching inside. The rear bumper is relatively simple. Remove the two expansion plugs under the bumper, and the screws can be directly inserted. Then, install the washer, spring washer, and nut from the inside of the bumper by hand.
I once encountered a similar situation. At that time, I thought that small nut was useless and skipped it. As a result, the license plate shook violently on the highway, and soon the screw loosened and fell out, almost hitting the car behind. The main function of the license plate nut is to reinforce the screw fixation and prevent it from loosening and falling off due to vibration on bumpy roads. If it's not installed, it might be fine for short distances, but over time, the screw may corrode or vibrate more severely and come loose. Not only would you have to spend money to replace the lost license plate, but it could also scratch the car paint or cause a safety accident. From a safety perspective, I recommend not skipping this step. Just use the matching nut to tighten it—it takes less than five minutes but can save you a lot of trouble.
From a practical perspective, skipping the nuts poses significant risks. Nuts help secure the screws more firmly, preventing loosening and ensuring the license plate remains stable without shaking while driving. Otherwise, on frequently traveled rough roads, the screws can easily shift or even fall out completely due to vibrations. I've seen many car owners who skipped the nuts for convenience end up with their license plates flying off—resulting in minor inconveniences like paying out of pocket for replacements and reinstallation, or worse, causing traffic accidents and facing liability. Even if no immediate issues arise, it adds unnecessary maintenance burdens and potential fine risks, as traffic inspections are strict about license plate fixation. Simply put, spending a little on installing nuts is more cost-effective.
