Does installing the license plate with a nut spacer have any impact?
3 Answers
No impact. Here are the relevant details: 1. Function of the nut: The primary purpose of the license plate nut is to secure the license plate. Unlike regular screws, the ones used for license plates are anti-theft screws. Once installed, these screws cannot be unscrewed. The only way to remove the license plate is by destroying the anti-theft screw. This measure is designed to prevent vehicle owners from changing their license plates without authorization. 2. Identification on the nut: Each license plate nut has a small identification mark on its top. This mark corresponds to the jurisdiction where your vehicle was registered. For example, if your license plate starts with "Yue A," then the mark on the nut should also be "Yue A." If these marks do not match, you may face corresponding penalties.
I've been repairing cars for many years and have handled numerous license plate installation cases. Adding nut washers when installing license plates does have benefits. It can prevent nuts from loosening, cushion vibrations during driving, and avoid accidents caused by license plates flying off at high speeds. Especially metal washers, such as stainless steel ones, can protect the car's paint from scratches and reduce friction noise. Without washers, nuts directly contacting the frame may cause wear, rust, or corrosion over time. However, it's important to choose high-quality washers, as inferior plastic ones are prone to aging and cracking, which could worsen the problem. I recommend car owners check if the washers match the size before installation to ensure firmness and safety, and also take a look during regular maintenance to prevent small issues from becoming big troubles.
As a DIY enthusiast, I often use nut washers when installing license plates myself. They are simple and practical - inserting them can reduce the likelihood of screws loosening due to vibration, improving license plate stability. I've found this also protects the vehicle body by preventing screw heads from scratching the paintwork, especially when using anti-rust metal washers. Without washers, nuts might sink into the body, causing unnecessary damage or rattling noises. However, it's crucial to choose the right washer material - I once tried cheap plastic ones that became brittle in winter and nearly caused the license plate to fall off. Overall, using nut washers offers more benefits than drawbacks, making installation easier while improving durability.
