Can You Drive with One Missing Lug Nut on a Car Tire?

[JourneyFitz]

You should not continue driving if one lug nut is missing from your car tire. The manufacturer designs five lug holes with precise calculations, ensuring each lug nut bears an equal amount of force. When one lug nut is missing, the force it should bear is transferred to the remaining lug nuts, leading to uneven force distribution. In severe cases, this may cause the tire to detach. Situations requiring tire replacement: 1. Check the tire wear indicators: Regardless of the tire brand, wear indicators are placed in the tread grooves. When the tread depth wears down to the level of the raised indicator rubber, it's time to replace the tire. 2. Bulging on the tread: A bulge indicates localized rubber deterioration or uneven pressure. The tire may burst at any moment, making continued driving extremely dangerous. Therefore, immediate replacement is necessary.