Will the tire bolts come loose?
2 Answers
Modern tire bolts generally come with a self-locking feature. As long as the bolts are properly tightened, the tire bolts won't easily come loose. Here are several methods to prevent tire bolts from coming loose. 1. Regularly maintain the tire bolts. Periodically clean the bolts and their surrounding areas, then spray them with anti-rust lubricant after drying to prevent rust. 2. Check the tire bolts for looseness or missing parts before driving. Loose or missing bolts can directly cause the tire to detach during driving if the bolts come off. 3. Avoid using an impact wrench to tighten the bolts during tire maintenance, as this method can reduce the lifespan of the bolts.
As someone who has spent half a lifetime in the auto industry, I can tell you that wheel bolts can indeed loosen or even come off—this is no scare tactic. The most common reasons are the constant vibrations while driving, which gradually loosen the bolts, and improper installation torque, whether too tight or too loose, which is equally dangerous. I've seen plenty of cases, like a truck that lost two bolts and nearly had a wheel fly off—luckily, the driver heard the rattling and stopped in time. To prevent this, it's best to have a professional shop check the torque every 5,000 kilometers or invest in a torque wrench and learn to use it yourself. Don't dismiss this as trivial—loose bolts mean unstable wheels, and at high speeds, that's a disaster waiting to happen. Also, keep an eye out for rust on the wheel hubs, as corrosion makes bolts more prone to loosening.
