Check wheel nuts after 30 miles?

ripplyuk

I recently had a set of new tyres fitted and have noticed that the invoice says to recheck the wheel nuts after 30 miles. Is this something that is a genuine safety risk or is it more of a disclaimer?

The garage is quite a long distance away so it’ll take half a day getting this done and after paying for the tyres and fitting, I don’t really have any extra money to spend on anything non-essential.

Ayr_Rage

Get the wheel brace out of your boot and check for any obviously loose nuts, that's all I do.

Unless you're in the middle of nowhere any repair garage can check your nuts.

Edit : If you have locking wheel nuts it's also a good time to check the tyre fitter has given you back the adapter.

mr_stripey

especially important if it was Kwik-Fit who did the job!

sheenas

Wheel nuts should be tightened using a torque wrench to the manufactures setting and checked after 30-50miles. Most motor factors tighten them to an inch of their life with those air guns. I purchased my own torque wrench and check they are done correctly.

ripplyuk

I can’t do this myself. I don’t even know what a wheel brace is. If it’s important, then I’m happy to pay for the garage to do it but I just don’t want to be wasting money. I am in the middle of nowhere but I could probably find somewhere a bit closer to do it.

ripplyuk

why is the quote function not working?

ripplyuk

@sheenas Do you mean they tend to over-tighten them?

Ayr_Rage

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81946112#Comment_81946112

If you don't know how to change a tyre and what a wheel brace is then you shouldn't be driving a car IMHO.

Iceweasel

Almost everyone who tightens wheel-nuts or wheel-bolts, especially on alloy wheels, without using a torque-wrench, will grossly overtighten them.

Get your own torque-wrench or ask a local garage to check them.

Make sure you know what the correct setting should be.There is no standard settingthat suits all cars / wheels.

I check mine after 50 miles or so and occasionally one or two need a quarter-turn or so.

Mildly_Miffed

Yes, it's important.

99 times out of 100, there's no issue.
The other time, the wheel didn't quite seat properly on the hub when fitted, perhaps due to a bit of muck or grot on the mounting surface, and those wheel nuts will be coming loose.

It takes two minutes for anybody vaguely competent to just go round and check them. No torque wrench is needed - they're either still tight, or they really aren't.

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81946118#Comment_81946118

I do know how to change a tyre (using a wheel brace). I also pay an annual subscription (or is it a premium?) for the RAC to do it for me.