The BC Highway Patrol has a wintery reminder for Highway 1 drivers to check their lug-nut tension after an incident in Chilliwack.
The driver of a dark blue pickup truck had "spun out in the snow" on Highway 1 near Chilliwack on Monday (Feb. 3) "due to a missing wheel," said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin, spokesperson for the BC Highway Patrol in a release Feb. 6.
The driver had reportedly just changed over to winter tires and wheels, but forgot to check the lug-nut tension.
It's worth checking, says the highway patrol officer.
"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."
It's actually safety issue since the front wheel came off in this instance.
"About 100 km after every wheel change, you need to check your lug nuts to make sure they haven’t loosened," said the officer.
"This 4x4 had great tires and a confident driver, but no amount of confidence can overcome a missing wheel."
Most service centres offer a free lug-nut tightening followup after a winter tire switch.
"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 regularly checking tire wear, tire pressures, and to make sure there are no foreign objects stuck in the tires or wheel wells.
