Lug nuts are used to hold the wheel to the vehicle. A broken lug nut can be a serious safety issue as it can damage the stability of the wheels. This could cause your wheel to come off while driving, putting all those in the vehicle in considerable danger. You should properly maintain and service your vehicle lug nuts on a regular basis. Replacement lug nuts can be picked up from your local auto store.
Engage the parking brake to ensure the vehicle can't possibly move while you are working on it.
Remove the hub cap on the wheel. On some vehicles you can simply unclip the plastic clips from around the wheel and pull it off with your hands. On other vehicles it may be a little bit more difficult. Use a flat-head screwdriver to carefully pry the hub cap off the wheel.
Locate the lug nuts around the wheel. There are normally four on a wheel. Use a wrench to loosen the lug nuts. Once they have been loosened, carefully remove them with your hand and put them in a safe place for reattachment later.
If you wish to change the tire on the vehicle you must raise the vehicle up on a car jack. For added support you should also use jack stands.
To replace the broken lug nuts, simply attach new nuts to the wheel. Ensure they are firmly locked in place by tightening the wrench as far as it will go. Reattach the hub cap and the work is complete.
