Proper tire care has always been conscious of the obvious need to tighten the lug nuts. If “wheel off” was simply a problem of “loose lug nuts”, there wouldn’t be a “Wheel off” phenomenon today.
But, there is.
And it’s a devastating – and often – tragic issue. Loose lug nuts have always been a problem to some extent in the automotive industry. But that is NOT the basis for the sudden surge in insurance claims across the country due to Wheel Off.
Below is a checklist of major concerns in tire care. Read them carefully. Then FIND a automotive service center that can GUARANTEE their tire care for your vehicle. If they cant guarantee their work against Wheel Off … or if they don’t know what it is… then, most likely, they are NOT listening to their repair shop insurance company because the insurance industry has been on top of this for a year now with their service station clientele.
Wheel Off: Are YOU “At Risk”?
Richfield Service, Inc.
Wheel Off: The Insurance Dilemma
The phenomenon is called Wheel off.
It represents the single greatest automotive insurance repair problem in the country today.
It can also be fatal.
The basic issue is dangerously loose lug nuts.
But, the real cause is not as apparent as some believe.
Wheel off: Defining the Real Problem?
Those who are aware of the problem, such as insurance companies and repair shops, still believe that the major problem with Wheel off is the failure of technicians or automotive repair shops that do not have adequate management systems in place to guarantee proper lug nut “tightening” procedures.
Yes. Even insurance companies still believe – despite growing evidence – that this is the number one problem needing correction.
Quite frankly, it isn’t the real problem.
| If an automotive technician didn’t properly tighten the lug nut(s) on your wheel, the car would have an immediate problem. It usually can’t get out of the repair shop without showing wheel instability. |
Decades of combined experience in looking at car troubles like this inside the automotive repairs industry has convinced us at Richfield Service, Inc. that the issue is far less apparent.
It is a little deceptive and it takes a skilled automotive technician to see it.
The problem?
Few American drivers schedule regular tire rotation every 5000 miles.
As a result, corrosion (like that caused by salt on roads during winter months – though that is by no means the only such cause) eats away the aluminum between the surface of the wheel and the hub.
Without regular tire rotation checks, unchecked corrosion continues to create improper mating of those wheel parts. It isn’t sufficient to say that the lug nuts were once tightened properly. If this corrosion continues because the wheels have not been inspected regularly, those lug nuts can work their way loose because the metal holding them corrodes away.
| "It isn’t sufficient to say that the lug nuts were once tightened properly. If this corrosion continues because the wheels have not been inspected regularly, those lug nuts can work their way loose because the metal holding them corrodes away.” |
The rest is tragedy.
Richfield Service, Inc. has been so concerned about this for many years that
we offer customers a tire rotation service for a simply a very nominal fee just so people will get it done. We’ve been doing this for years because we really don’t want people to neglect getting their tires rotated regularly because of the cost.
So, there is no hefty cost.
Look, wheel off is a tragically increasing phenomenon because motorists aren’t scheduling regular tire rotation on their cars every 5000 miles. That fact alone allows corrosion to build up for many reasons over time.
Then, suddenly the lug nuts pop … or a stud breaks …
…and a wheel flies off and lives are imperiled.
Wheel off Warning System: Tire Care Checklist
1. Your peace of mind can only be guaranteed against wheel off when wheel off prevention and effective tire care is put into action. This occurs when every automotive shop management system supplies its technicians with the most up to date manufacturer’s specifications concerning “lug nut torque” for the car or truck’s original equipment, wheels (aluminum or otherwise), specialty wheels, custom wheels and also the automotive aftermarket.
2. Be certain that your automotive repair service checks the your car’s manufacturer’s specifications, making sure the tires are the proper size for your car. This is standard tire care.
3. Remember, wheel off has developed with time throughout the entire automotive industry in the years since the introduction of aluminum wheels. We saw the phenomenon begin years before there was a formal term for the issue. Why? It’s a simple scientific fact that aluminum is very vulnerable to the effects of corrosion. We always mandate a wheel off prevention check for all clients due to the simple fact that the corrosive effects on your vehicle wheels are usually not apparent until it’s “too late.”
That’s the reason for the insurance company’s dilemma.
Of course, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to find out (and we prefer to stress the word “immediately”) if your aluminum wheels are secure from the corrosion generating difficulties leading to Wheel Off. It could be more than just “trouble” if your aluminum wheel and tire care for all four wheels is not in order.
4. O.K. you knew we were going to say this. But, you must make the time to get regularly scheduled maintenance for your car. This is the critical issue for tire care in general and wheel off prevention in particular, so do schedule regular tire rotation every 5000 miles. Of course, your vehicle needs to be checked for loose front end parts, abnormal tire wear, and/or balance, and properly set air pressures on the tires.
5. Wheel, studs and tire should be inspected for bead, sidewall and damage to the tread. This is to be accomplished anyway, whether or not there is preventative maintenance taken for a potential Wheel off problem. This is standard for effective tire care.
6. But, here’s the difference. Many shops refuse to give wheel off proper concern. Yes. Many have heard about it. And they will “tell” you they “work hard” to make sure wheel off doesn’t occur to your car. They all promise effective and safe tire care.
But, few shops take the actual time to implement the checklist prevention systems and standards being called for by the automotive insurance industry. Fewer still check for wheel off corrosion conditions. Wheel off continues to be a major problem. If they do not take the time, you – or someone dear to you – will pay far more than for just a tire change.
7. Regularly scheduled maintenance on your car will assure you of getting the car “looked over” in a timely and efficient manner. Wheel Off is not a risk you can afford. Come in and get your tires properly serviced … as an ongoing check in regular car maintenance.
8. For those in the Milwaukee metroplex, come see us at Richfield Service in Richfield, Wisconsin SEE MAP If you are concerned about “Wheel Off”. We’ve been providing our customers tire care service against Wheel Off... and other tire care problems for many years…long before Wheel Off became more prominent as a trend. |
Give us a call 262-628-1932 … or stop in for all of your automotive service needs.
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"Good People to Turn To"
Richfield Service is committed to providing our customers with high-quality parts and efficient service. Our commitment extends to providing employees with apprenticeship programs and continuing education classes. We provide our customers with excellent workmanship, thorough service and warranty. All from the most experienced, knowledgeable, and fully-trained team of professional technicians in the area.
Call us for all your Tire Care needs: 262-628-1932
At Richfield Service, ALL of our automotive and truck specialists are ASE certified. Our Tire Care service reputation is recognized throughout Southeastern Wisconsin … being approved by the industry’s highest standards.
But, quality tire care service for YOUR SAFETY is most important to us and, because of that concern, EVERY tire we service gets our full attention… and we guarantee our work against “Wheel Off” (not to mention other tire care problems we see every day.)
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Trucking Industry
