Q: Can you drive on 3 lug nuts
On our front right tire, we are missing 2 out of 5 lug nuts. Is it safe to drive on only 3 lug nuts? The back front wheel only has 4, and the back passenger only has 4. Our car vibrates and shakes very badly.
My car has 183000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Recommended Services
| Brake Rotor/Disc Replacement | $258.18 - $1079.18 | Get a Quote |
| Brake Drum Replacement | $266.64 - $1006.96 | Get a Quote |
| Tighten Wheel Lug Nuts | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
Hey there, thanks for writing in. All of the lug nuts are necessary. Leaving even one off could result in warping of the brake rotors or drums, necessitating their replacement. If two are left off that puts an excess load on the remaining three and will compromise their strength and integrity. If you need to have this addressed, a local expert, like one from YourMechanic, can provide new lug nuts and tighten them accordingly.
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
Need help with brake lines.
Hi, I wouldn't drive this car until a certified mechanic has verified the brakes are in a safe operable condition (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-safety-inspection-inspection), either have it towed to a mechanic or call a mobile mechanic. The brake lines provide a path for...
Overheat light came on
Hello. Yes, your vehicle is equipped with an electric water pump that may have experienced a failure. Once an engine overheats, the thermostat is usually damaged in the process and it is recommended both be replaced at the same time...
Car won't start; theft light on
The anti-theft system may be experiencing a fault, and in most cases, will store a code pointing to the problem component. Your symptoms are also close to those of a failing starter assembly. In this case, the vehicle may start...
Front wheel jumps and pops loud when give it gas
If the problem did not start happening until you had the axle replaced, then you may have gotten a defective axle. Most replacement axles are new or remanufactured and either one can have a defective joint. I would have the...
Car is shaking violently
Since you have listed a number of issues, there is no certain way to provide you with a definitive answer. It's highly unlikely that all your issues are rooted in one part or system. If the plugs are covered in...
Seized lock cylinder
Hi there, thanks for writing in. First off, you don't need to go to a VW shop or the dealership to have an ignition lock cylinder replaced (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-replace-an-ignition-lock-cylinder-by-timothy-charlet). As a matter of fact, one of our professional mechanics can complete...
My temperature gauge went all the way up to the red line and came down but then I pulled over 2009 Dodge Avenger
Hello - there are a couple of scenarios which could cause this behavior. If the thermostat fails - sticking shut, or the water pump fails, the engine can overheat very quickly (in seconds) and behave as you describe. A coolant...
What could be wrong with my truck?
When you have a vehicle that is 27 years old it can be most anything causing the vehicle to hesitate. Depending on the engine you have you may have a sensor issue that is not working correct or a fuel...
bad o2 sensors
Diagnostic Trouble Codes can never be used to "directly" condemn parts. In the case of an oxygen sensor, the oxygen sensor output must be evaluated on a scope to determine if the sensor itself is bad or if you perhaps...
Related articles
The Best Used Cars to Buy For Fuel Economy
Saving money on gas is an important factor to consider when buying a car. The Honda Civic, Toyota Prius, and Ford Fusion all have great fuel economy.
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Vet
The The best car for a vet to own largely depends on the type of practice he or she has. Large animal vets are probably going to want something that delivers a fair bit of power, and possibly even towing...
The Top 5 Selling Cars in Florida in 2012
Florida Florida offers great weather year round, and the fact that snow and ice never factor into the equation means drivers don’t have to focus on the overall vehicle handling as they do in other states. The best selling cars...
Browse other content
Maintenance
Cities