Back in 2017, a wave of motorists were exposed to the fact that the wheel bolts were loose on their cars. Someone had tampered with them. A new invention must now prevent that.
In Sweden alone, 900 traffic accidents each year can be related to cars with loose wheel bolts. Here in Denmark, a wave of motorists were exposed to the fact that someone had loosened the bolts.
This led to several accidents. But a new Japanese invention will hopefully prevent that in the future. This type of vandalism is not only annoying, it is also potentially fatal to drivers and everyone else on the road.
It is Japanese Sumitomo Rubber, which, among other things, stands behind the tire manufacturer Falken, which has developed the new warning system. And the idea behind it is simple.
The system, which the first cars are equipped with already this year, works via sensors that talk to the car's other systems.
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If the sensors detect that a bolt is about to come loose, or perhaps has already done so, the driver is immediately warned. According to the Japanese, the invention works regardless of tire type, size and model.
– These accidents happen completely unnecessarily and could be prevented with better knowledge and working methods, says Cecilia Blom Hesselgren, head of communications at the inspection company Bilprovningen, in a press release .
The most important advice drivers can get, however, is still to check whether the bolts are tight. So a small piece of manual work before the choir tour begins. Maybe not every time, but at least often.
– The most important advice is to check that the wheels are properly secured a few kilometers after you have changed the tyre.
– Then you can also compensate for any errors that may have occurred during assembly. Many call it post-tensioning.
– But it's not about tightening as hard as possible, but about checking that bolts or nuts are properly tightened, says Peter Norlin from the Tyre, Rim and Accessory Supplier Association.
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