Tighten your lug nuts: BC Highway Patrol reminds you that winter tires only work when your wheels are on your vehicle

BC Highway Patrol

2025-02-06 08:10 PST

Winter tires are a great way to make your vehicle safer on slippery roads; but if you don’t tighten your lug nuts, you might soon be driving a sled.

View a higher-resolution photo

About 100 km after every wheel change, you need to check your lug nuts to make sure they haven’t loosened, says Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. This 4x4 had great tires and a confident driver, but no amount of confidence can overcome a missing wheel.

This particular incident happened on February 3, 2025, on Highway #1 near Chilliwack. The driver had changed to winter tires and wheels, but forgot to check the lug nut tension.

Most service centres offer a free lug nut tightening follow-up after they have changed your winter tires. You can also do it yourself in less than five minutes with your vehicle’s service manual, a torque wrench, and a lug wrench (tire iron).

Along with checking your lug nut tension at least twice a year, BC Highway Patrol recommends that you regularly check your tire wear, tire pressures, and to make sure there are no foreign objects stuck in your tires or wheel wells. 

Released by:

Email: bchp_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: bc-cb.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/highway-patrol

Follow Us: