# Do I really need to get my lug nuts tightened? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 28, 2011, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-really-need-to-get-my-lug-nuts-tightened/572951 "2011-02-28T18:46:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-really-need-to-get-my-lug-nuts-tightened/572951/41 "2011-03-06T01:31:21Z")
On many newer cars, they have done away with the cotter pin. The nut is torqued down to 200 pound feet. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2011, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-really-need-to-get-my-lug-nuts-tightened/572951/42 "2011-03-06T01:44:56Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I’ve been changing brake pads and changing seasonal tires for 30+ years using a tire iron and have never had any issues. > > Actually, the only time I have had an issue (broke 2 studs) was trying to remove a wheel installed by a garage that over-torqued the bastards. > > I will be putting the all season tires back on two vehicles in a month or so, in my driveway. > > Really, all you need to do is snug up the nut and then tighten it using normal arm strength. The taper on the nut is enough to keep it from coming loose. +1. I believe that tightening lug nuts to proper torque specs is akin to regularly wiping your binocular lenses with a lint free cloth or pulling all of your belts out of the closet every two months to apply a fresh coat of oil to them. Probably a good choice, but chances are that you have more pressing issues in your life to worry about and the marginal cost of doing it exceeds the value. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2011, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-really-need-to-get-my-lug-nuts-tightened/572951/43 "2011-03-07T19:24:39Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > The amount of torque to loosen a fastener has very little to do with how much torque was applied to that fastener when it was tightened. Unrelated to this topic, but **Rick** , please check your PMs. ---
**Author:** ![loshan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce73a5/32.png) [@loshan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loshan)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2011, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-really-need-to-get-my-lug-nuts-tightened/572951/44 "2011-03-08T03:06:53Z")
As an added note to this: Always go around and feel to make sure the lug nuts are tight after a rotation, especially at those places that don’t let you watch. I had the wheel fall off my Tahoe a few years ago, while traveling at 65 on a two lane highway, because the technician didn’t tighten them at all on one wheel. Quite shocking and scary. First I thought “blow out”, next I thought I was going to die. Then, I couldn’t believe that my wheel was rolling in front of me. As least it bounced off the guard rail and didn’t end up in the Columbia River. It cost the tire shop a brake rotor (the same one that left the 1 1/2" groove in the pavement while I tried to stop), a ball joint, the plastic trim around the tire well, a new tire and all new studs. I should have also charged them for the smashed eggs and bread when the case of diet coke launched and landed on top of the most vulnerable groceries 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-really-need-to-get-my-lug-nuts-tightened/572951.md?page=2)