Should I retorque my wheels when changing my tires? What those in the industry recommend (2024)

It's a ritual Canadians perform every year as the end of fall approaches.

Soon, drivers across the country will pull out their dusty winter tires to throw on their vehicles before the snow arrives.

When it comes to safety, there are multiple things drivers should consider when ensuring the wheels on their vehicles are secured properly.

  • Sign up for breaking news alerts from CTV News
  • Get the CTV News App now for breaking news alerts and all the top stories

Many shops will retorque a customer's wheels for free – that is, inspect each lug nut on the wheel to check whether they may be too loose or too tight – after driving a certain distance following a tire change. Others may not recommend it at all.

But as some point out, when to retorque will vary depending on who you ask, while cleaning is one aspect that drivers sometimes overlook.

WHEN SHOULD I RETORQUE?

CTVNews.ca reached out to several auto-care companies and industry associations for their thoughts on when and why you should retorque your wheels after a tire change.

Most recommendations ranged from 50 kilometres of driving after a tire change to upward of 100 or 150 km.

The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) said in a statement that most unintended wheel separations while driving are caused by a fastener failure, or when the lug nuts or bolts holding the wheel in place come loose.

CAA recommends drivers retorque the wheels on their vehicles within 100 and 150 km after a tire change, to clean the rim and hub mating surfaces, and check that the correct fasteners are used and properly torqued.

A spokesperson said this recommendation should be used as a general rule of thumb and that some service providers may suggest an earlier retorque depending on their assessment of a vehicle.

Tire Dealers Association of Canada (TDAC) vice-president Charley Kriksic said in a statement that a retorque should be done to a vehicle manufacturer's specifications within 50 and 70 km.

A spokesperson added that TDAC works with the U.S.-based Tire Industry Association, which has done studies and worked with tire manufacturers on when retorques should take place.

"While industry recommendation can vary, with some stating the retorque should take place prior to 100 km, the TDAC alongside other provincial tire associations make our recommendations based on guidance and information from the Tire Industry Association," the spokesperson said in a statement.

Greg Lawrence, general manager of Ontario-based Active Green + Ross Complete Tire & Auto Centre, said while a retorque is typically done within 100 km or seven days, "It really makes no difference."

Some stay-at-home customers, he said, may take a month to drive 100 km, while others like himself can drive up to 200 km each day to and from work.

"It's a store-specific decision," he said in an email to CTVNews.ca.

CLEANING AND THE COLD

While retorquing may help, it isn't the only thing drivers should watch for.

Lawrence told CTVNews.ca in a telephone interview on Tuesday that there is no harm in doing a second retorque.

But what drivers should think about is that the contact points between the wheels and hub assembly are cleaned of any oil and dirt.

"There's corrosion that builds up over time in between there and if that's not cleaned off, you can retorque wheels as often as you want but they won't ... set properly, and that's what causes wheels to come off," he said. "It's not necessarily a wheel torque issue."

The issue is more prominent with alloy wheels than steel, Lawrence said, the latter of which don't corrode as heavily or as often.

"But even if it's just a light sanding or a light cleaning of the surfaces, sometimes they're very heavily corroded if wheels haven't been off in several years, and then it becomes a bigger task to get them cleaned. But that is the sole reason that we've seen any wheels that come loose or come off," he said.

Cleaning may come at an extra cost and drivers could ask their garages if they clean mating surfaces before putting wheels back on a vehicle.

Something else drivers should consider, Lawrence added, is whether a shop uses calibrated hand-torque wrenches, which he prefers in order to get a proper torque. Also ensuring the right wheel nuts are in place is just as important.

"If you put a wrong wheel nut on, you can clean it and torque it all you want but it's not going to seat properly. So there's a lot of engineering behind even something as simple as a wheel nut."

Chris Reynolds, field expert and vice-president of advertising at Canada Drives, said retorquing would help if a couple days after getting a tire change the temperature drops dramatically or a driver goes over a hard bump, both of which could affect a vehicle's lug nuts.

Even if you don't change your tires, going in for a rotation could give someone an excuse to get their wheels checked out, he said.

And then there is ensuring your tires have enough tread, which Reynolds said a simple toonie test could help determine.

"If you never change your tire, which is also a scenario, I would recommend going in at least once a year and getting it serviced and getting it checked out," he said.

TORQUE CHECK AFTER INSTALLATION

A Kal Tire spokesperson said in a statement that the company used to perform a torque check 50 km after an installation or the following business day.

Now, it happens immediately after an installation, to prevent a situation where a driver may forget to follow up.

"Although driving a distance will reveal poor joint settlement, there are other ways to identify when this issue will occur," the spokesperson said.

After removing the wheels, inspecting the components and cleaning the mating surfaces, the spokesperson said the lug nuts are tightened to below their recommended tightness and hand torqued further while the vehicle is suspended.

"Prior to handing over the vehicle to the customer, we lower the vehicle onto the ground from its suspended position and replicate the joint settlement process, similar to what would happen when the vehicle is driven," the spokesperson said.

"We then hand torque the lug nuts to specification again. During the final torque check of the vehicle's wheels, if any lug nuts are found to be loose, we bring the vehicle back in and redo the entire process."

For drivers installing their winter tires and rims at home, the spokesperson says it is strongly recommended they check their torque within the first 50 km of driving.

Should I retorque my wheels when changing my tires? What those in the industry recommend (2024)

FAQs

Should I retorque my wheels when changing my tires? What those in the industry recommend? ›

Whenever you have new wheels and tires fitted to your car, it's essential for road safety to have the lug nuts retorqued after the first 50 kilometers. Proper tire balance will distribute weight equally around the entire circumference of the tire. Unbalanced wheels cause vibrations and premature wear.

Do you really need to get your tires retorqued? ›

CAA recommends drivers retorque the wheels on their vehicles within 100 and 150 km after a tire change, to clean the rim and hub mating surfaces, and check that the correct fasteners are used and properly torqued.

What happens if you don't Retorque lug nuts? ›

If your lug nuts are not torqued enough, they are loose, and may continue to loosen until they fall off while driving.

How do you know if your tires need to be Retorqued? ›

This is typically recommended after the first 50-100 miles of driving to account for any settling that may occur. Regular Maintenance: Regular retorquing should be part of your routine maintenance schedule. Consider having your lug nuts retorqued every 5,000 miles and during any scheduled tire rotations.

How often should you torque your tires? ›

Every time wheels are replaced, or routine tire maintenance is performed, the vehicle's lug nuts must be torqued accurately –- when the new tires leave the shop, again at 25 miles, and at 50 miles. Failure to check and re-check wheel hardware can create a significant safety issue.

Does it cost money to get tires retorqued? ›

Checking for loose lug nuts

50 km after a tire change, garages and tire dealers will retorque the wheels on your car for free. Over time, lug nuts undergo the typical stresses and forces of a car in daily use. These stresses can sometimes result in tightening or loosening of the lug nuts.

How tight should tires be torqued? ›

Under- or over-tightening wheel-attaching hardware can be damaging and dangerous.
Hardware Bolt or Stud SizeTypical Torque Range in Ft/LbsMinimum Number of Turns of Hardware Engagement
12 x 1.25 mm70 - 808
14 x 1.5 mm85 - 907.5
14 x 1.25 mm85 - 909
7/16 in.70 - 809
3 more rows

How do you know if a bolt is torqued properly? ›

After you've tightened your fastener, use a torque audit wrench to slowly apply force in the tightening direction until you notice the first movement in the fastener. The reading is a reliable indication of the originally-applied torque. This is the most trusted measure of torque after tightening.

When should wheel nuts be retorqued? ›

If the vehicle is stationary the wheel fixing should be retightened to the recommended torque after 30 minutes. If the vehicle is used the wheel fixings should be retightened within 40 kilometres (25 miles) to 80 kilometres (50 miles).

Do you need to lift car to Retorque? ›

Nope, doing it with the wheels on the ground if fine, no need to lift the weight of the wheels. It's easier that way because the wheels can't turn while you are torquing the lugs.

How many pounds should I torque my tires? ›

Most vehicles have lug nuts that require around 100 pound-feet of torque. However, certain vehicles require more or less. It's best to check your vehicle's manual to find out the exact specifications you need.

Can you over torque tires? ›

Wheel nuts that are over-tightened can often become damaged or broken, especially when hitting bumps in the road. This can result in a potentially catastrophic failure of the wheel, posing a serious risk to the safety of the heavy vehicle and its drivers.

How often should lug nuts be replaced? ›

Depending on the type of vehicle it is and the age, the lug nuts may need to be replaced anywhere between five and 15 years. The cost of lug nuts or lug bolts can range from $2 to $7 or $8 a piece on most vehicles.

Is it necessary to torque lug nuts? ›

A rotational force given in foot-pounds (ft-lbs), wheel torque measures lug nut tightness. And it's critical to safely installing your wheels. Every vehicle has its own torque requirements.

Why re-torque wheels after 50 miles? ›

This Is when a very slight loosening “CAN“ occur. So, why not be safe and check them by re-torquing your wheels, just to be sure? The 50–100 miles thing is just to give them a little time to settle in, then allow the wheels and suspension to adjust back to normal after being off the ground.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Jonah Leffler

Last Updated:

Views: 6526

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jonah Leffler

Birthday: 1997-10-27

Address: 8987 Kieth Ports, Luettgenland, CT 54657-9808

Phone: +2611128251586

Job: Mining Supervisor

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Electronics, Amateur radio, Skiing, Cycling, Jogging, Taxidermy

Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.