# Number of bolts that hold on a car tire **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 10, 2012, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-bolts-that-hold-on-a-car-tire/643639 "2012-12-10T21:07:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Harvey\_Ferguson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/97f17d/32.png) [@Harvey\_Ferguson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harvey_Ferguson)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2012, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-bolts-that-hold-on-a-car-tire/643639/41 "2012-12-15T00:58:03Z")
> [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](#): > > Then there’s the Chysler/Dodge/Plymouths from the early 60s where the lug nuts tightened in opposite directions on either side of the car. All the way from the early 70’s back to the late 20’s actually. ---
**Author:** ![steviep24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@steviep24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steviep24)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-bolts-that-hold-on-a-car-tire/643639/42 "2012-12-15T01:35:36Z")
> [@echo7tango](#): > > [The “Ugly Duckling,” the Renault 2CV](http://www.google.com/search?q=citroen+2cv&hl=en&client=safari&tbo=d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Tl3LUN7xMMjL2QXi_oGABg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=644), also has three. As mentioned upthread, French cars tend to have 3. > > My first car was a 1979 Fiat X1/9. It had four lug bolts. It was the first time I’d seen lug bolts (my dad had GM products). Lug bolts are common on trailers. I wonder if the new Fiats they’re selling have lug bolts. I know they’re popular on German cars. But Fiat is Italian. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2012, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-bolts-that-hold-on-a-car-tire/643639/43 "2012-12-15T05:06:36Z")
> [@steviep24](#): > > I wonder if the new Fiats they’re selling have lug bolts. I know they’re popular on German cars. But Fiat is Italian. And still 4x98! :smack: 😃 A whole new market opens up! ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2012, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-bolts-that-hold-on-a-car-tire/643639/44 "2012-12-15T06:58:02Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > [nitpick] > The lug nuts / lug bolts attach the wheel to the car. The tire stays on the wheel due to the compatible shape of these two - no fasteners needed. > [/nitpick] [Not Always](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beadlock) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2012, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-bolts-that-hold-on-a-car-tire/643639/45 "2012-12-15T07:55:18Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > A consideration for studs vs bolts. Bolts increase the possibility somebody will lose a high quality tire bolt then replace it with some cheap assed crap bolt. If they do that to too many bolts that tire may well come off one day. While standard hex bolts are available in grades 2-8, allowing someone to substitute a weaker bolt that still fits, it’s a bit different with lug bolts. They aren’t everyday bolts that can be used in a variety of settings – they’re quite specific for the application of attaching wheels. I’d be very surprised if lug bolts are made in a version that’s not up to the task. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2012, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-bolts-that-hold-on-a-car-tire/643639/46 "2012-12-15T13:30:43Z")
Yeah, thats probably true now that you mention it. Though I guess somebody could force a crappy bolt in there 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2012, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-bolts-that-hold-on-a-car-tire/643639/47 "2012-12-15T14:29:12Z")
I am often amazed at how mechanically inept the layman can be. To me the conical centering shoulder on a lug bolt or nut is as obvious as a turd in a punch bowl, but I have found lug nuts installed cone-out. I guess that is a point for bolts. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-bolts-that-hold-on-a-car-tire/643639.md?page=2)