[RahulNagaraj]

According to reports, Falken tyres manufacturer, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, have developed a new technology which helps drivers detect loose lug nuts.



The company states that the new tech doesn't use dedicated sensors, rather a 'Sensing Core' which can detect a lug nut which are loose even by a millimetre. The Sensing Core is said to accumulate data from the vehicle's Controlled Area Network (CAN) and analyse the wheel speed and other factors.

The company claims that the new Sensing Core tech is independent of tyre make, model and size - allowing it to be used in a wide variety of vehicles. The new tech will reportedly be offered on a model by a currently unnamed carmaker as part of its standard equipment sometime later this year.

Sumitomo also stated that, in addition to detecting loose lug nuts, the tech can also be used as a tyre-wear monitor.

Source: MotorAuthority

[sameerpatel90]

This article provides valuable insights. I look forward to the global implementation of this technology, enhancing safety for both drivers and passengers. It's encouraging that manufacturers are also considering the Indian market, but I hope they prioritize user benefits over experimental ventures.

[NomadSK]

I haven't come across in my lifetime to deal with loose lug nuts on my cars or during any of my drives. Or has anyone ? I feel any technology is useless, if it doesn’t address the problem or human needs. Looks Sumitomo has put cart in front of the horse.

[sameerpatel90]

Originally Posted by NomadSK

I haven't come across in my lifetime to deal with loose lug nuts on my cars or during any of my drives. Or has anyone ? I feel any technology is useless, if it doesn’t address the problem or human needs. Looks Sumitomo has put cart in front of the horse.

Numerous instances have been reported of wheels dislodging from vehicles, often attributed to mishandling during tire fitting at shops or garages. As an industry professional, I firmly believe that implementing measures to address this issue will greatly alleviate concerns for frontline workers. Adding indicators to the instrument cluster to alert drivers of loose lug nuts would significantly reduce uncertainty and enhance safety.

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by NomadSK

I haven't come across in my lifetime to deal with loose lug nuts on my cars or during any of my drives. Or has anyone ? I feel any technology is useless, if it doesn’t address the problem or human needs. Looks Sumitomo has put cart in front of the horse.

It has happened to me once or twice.

I had taken my 1986 Alfa Spider to a very knowledgeable and reliable Alfa Specialist. He has featured in my fiddling with cars several times. I can’t remember what he did to my car. But I picked it up from him at the end of the day and drove home. When I got home I noticed one of the wheel its was about to come off. I checked the all and they were all loose.

I called my guy and he immediately apologised profusely. He always tightens the nuts loosely and does a round with a torque wrench to tighten them properly to spec.

This time he must have forgotten!

I must admit I have once or twice made the exact same mistake. Forgot to torque the nuts!

So, is this a solution for a real problem, to your point.

It would have certainly helped this guy:

https://youtu.be/P-Hz6QIbCt0?si=oueqOaaV0QHeq8dZ

In all honesty I am ambivalent on this. I love these sort of features, but where do you stop?

How about similar solution for the bolts holding your callipers in place? I can tell you, if they do brake work and forget to torque those you are going to find yourself in trouble.

There is a fine balance between trusting proper worksman ship and overdoing the automated stuff.

I do know some dealer garages, have a two men approach for this. A mechanic that has worked on a car gets another mechanic to check a few critical things, such as lug nut torque, before releasing the car.

The biggest problem is probably more over-tightening those lug nuts, rather then forgetting to tighten them

Jeroen

[Rodie09]

Is it possible for lug nuts to come loose during normal operation? I always fear that but not sure if that fear is true. If that is not the case then this tech is an overkill as it would only be addressing a workmanship issue.

On a side note I always have a similar fear of ceiling fans coming lose. Those are usually secured by a lock pin but I wonder what quality usually that 100 rupee rod is on which the fan's multidimensional stresses continue for years and decades.

Sorry for going off topic

[tushar_j]

I think with some extra research, this technology can be extended further, to detect wheel alignment/balance issues. It would be interesting to know which particular pothole significantly damaged your wheel(s).

[Redex]

Hi,
If anyone is worried about loose lug nuts (wheel nuts/bolts) simply place a small dot of paint at the same point on all nuts. Then if one is starting to loosen it can be easily seen during a simple "walk around" inspection before you drive off.
Most commercial vehicle in the UK have simple yellow plastic over nuts that slip over the existing nut. They have a pointer like the hand of a clock. These are all positioned pointing towards the centre of the wheel or the next nut, easy to spot if one is becoming loose.
Wheel nuts can become loose if the nut or stud is worn or stretched. You must ensure that the nut, stud and mating surfaces are clean. The face of the drum/hub and inner face of the wheel must also be completely clean. The nuts/bolts must be torqued to the manufacturers setting and torqued again after 40/80 Kms or whatever figure is stated in the handbook. It is good practice to check them 3 or 4 times a year, more often for high mileage drivers.
Where it is most likely for nuts to work loose, left and right hand threads are used on opposite sides of the vehicle. This practice is fairly common on commercial vehicles, so there is a tendency for nuts to tighten, or at least not loosen.

[PreludeSH]

I am so obsessive about lug nuts that I check them now and then and also make sure I go through all the wheels again after tightening them during wheel changes. Have seen mechanics in garages do it too as a habit.

Guess it would depend on the cost and if they integrate tyre wear detection, traction, ABS etc into one sensor, it could be inexpensive and not beneficial.

[McLaren Rulez]

Originally Posted by Redex

Most commercial vehicle in the UK have simple yellow plastic over nuts that slip over the existing nut. They have a pointer like the hand of a clock. These are all positioned pointing towards the centre of the wheel or the next nut, easy to spot if one is becoming loose.

Here's an example of this lug nut indicator with an additional innovation. The connectors don't allow one nut to become loose by a full turn (which would be undetected by just the pointers) without deforming the connector. Simple and effective solution.