Kane Dan
If you see a certain kind of discoloration happening on your license plate, or you hear a certain sound while you drive your car.
There is a huge possibility that the screws on your license plate need to be replaced. It is not a very difficult task but decoding your vehicle’s size of license plate screw is the challenge.
In this article, you will be provided with information about various screw sizes available in the market and which screws will fit best for your car’s model. In addition, this article will also shed some light upon where you can buy the screws and how to replace them.
The screws size that fits most of the license plates for various vehicles is a ¼-¼-¾ inch screw. They fit well with most vehicles equipped with special screw retainers made of plastic or nylon. You do not have to worry about tapping the screw, as they are self-tapped.
Some vehicles might demand some other screw size. Thus, we will be discussing a few models here, namely:
- Honda
- Toyota
- Nissan
- BMW
- Ford F150
- Ram
- Chevrolet
How To Read The Screw Size Chart? OEM Screws And Standard Screw Size Chart
As mentioned above, the common screw size that works well for most license plates is ¼-¼-¾. These are not just fractions, but they have some deep meaning to them. Each fraction represents a certain reading of the screw.
Before representing the chart, let’s learn how to read the readings in the first place. The first fraction highlights the threaded width of the screw in inches.
The middle fraction of the reading represents how many threads the screw has, and the final fraction in the reading represents the length of the screw in inches.
OEM Screws
¼-¼-¾ might be a typical screw that can fit the license plates of most models, but there are special OEM screws specially manufactured for certain brands.
The abbreviation OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. They are special screws that are manufactured specifically for certain brands or certain models.
The OEM screws are mostly used by Luxury brands or luxury models of cars. The various OEM screws have truss heads, slotted truss heads or hex heads, etc.
Do not be scared; you can easily find this kind of OEM screws. They are easily available from auto service centers or parts suppliers. You can also choose to visit car manufacturers to find the OEM screws.
Standard Screw Size Chart
Now we will discuss the table that highlights various screw sizes depending upon the type of screw. The readings and screw types mentioned in the table below include all the basic sizes used in current modern vehicles.
| Screw Type | Standard Sizes |
| 14099 – Slotted Truss Head | 1/4 x 3/4 Zinc Plated Universal |
| 82-5503 – Slotted Head, Washer Head | 1/4 x 3/4 Zinc Plated Universal |
| 1434 SS – Phillips Truss Head | 1/4 x 3/4 Stainless |
| 12932 – Slotted Pan Head | 1/4 x 3/4 Stainless, GM, And Universal |
| 6717 – Slotted Truss Head | 1/4 x 3/4 Black, GM, And Universal |
| 858SS – Phillips Pan Head | #8 x 5/8 Stainless, European, And Universal |
| 903 – Slotted Hex Head | #12 x 3/4 Zinc Plated, Subaru, And Universal |
| 12818 – Slotted Hex Washer Head | 1/4 x 3/4 Stainless, Universal |
| 1012SS – Phillips Truss Head | #10 x 1/2 Stainless |
| 1939 – Slotted Hex Washer Head | 1/4 x 5/8 with 5/8 o.d. Washer, Ford # N800369-S2l |
| 903 – Slotted Hex Head | #12 x 3/4 Zinc Plated, Subaru, And Universal |
| 6552 – Slotted Hex Washer Head | 1/4 x 3/4 Black Zinc Plated, Universal |
| 90-6739 – Slotted Truss | 1/4 x 5/8 Zinc Plated-Blunt Point, Universal |
Since we are familiarized with the screw sizes in the above table, we also have some recommendations regarding the quality of screw that will fit well your license plate.
The Revolution Rust Proof License Plate Screws fit really well with the standard license plates of your cars. Their quality is exquisite as they are made of supreme quality stainless steel. In addition, the SNUG Fasteners go really well with the license plates of both trucks and cars.
The stainless steel used in the above-mentioned standard screws is 304 premium stainless steel. It has hex heads that can be easily fastened with the help of a flat-headed screwdriver.
Screw Recommendations According To The Brand
As mentioned above, various OEM screw types and sizes are specifically designed for a certain brand. So now we will discuss those screws for various famous brands and models for better understanding.
Honda
If you own a Honda vehicle, you are in luck, my friend. Honda uses the screws with a universal fit, which means the screw with the size ¼-¼-¾ will fit perfectly for your license plate.
Make sure you buy the screws with zinc plating and a black finish, making the screws quite durable. The other good news is that these screws will not require any nylon inserts, and they fit mostly all domestic and transported models.
Toyota
If you own a Toyota, you might need to do some hard work, my friend. The size that we recommend is 1 x 0.5 x 0.5 inches, and the recommended type is RSD Never Rust OE style screws.
The brand uses OEM screws, so we recommend visiting an auto part supplier to get this specific screw. Well, we have some good news for you as well; the screw size and type mentioned above fits all models of Toyota, so you do not need to do any further research for screw type and size.
Tip: If you try to drill your bumper on the front side of the car with a big screw, we recommend using an anchor made of plastic while fastening the screws.
Nissan
The screw size and type recommended for a Nissan is RSL Plate Screw with the size ¼-14-¾ inches. These screws are seen to have a jet-black look with a hex head made up of high-quality steel. You can also opt for a zinc-plated finish for the higher durability of the screw.
BMW
Since BMW is a luxury brand, there is no doubt that the screw used for a BMW will be an OEM one. The length of the screw for a BMW license plate is 10mm. Thus the recommended screw type for a BMW is M5 x 10mm machine screws.
For a BMW, you can also use a shorter screw, but not below 8mm. You can also go for a higher reading, but not more than 12mm.
Ford F-150
Since we all know that Ford initially manufactured trucks and then moved on to manufacturing cars thus, the screws fitting the license plate of Ford’s car will also fit well on the license plate of Ford’s truck.
The recommended size of screw for Ford F-150 is ¼-14-⅝ inches. The SNUG Fastener Stainless Steel Screw is the best one for this model. These screws can be easily fastened with a ⅜ inch drive socket or any flat-headed screwdriver, as they have slotted hex heads.
Ram Truck
The screw size for Ram Truck and Nissan is the same, that is ¼-14 3/4 inches, but the screw type is different. Go for the Ottospeed Rust Proof Screws, as they are most reliable for maximum vehicles.
The dominion black plating makes Ottospeed Rust Proof License Plate Screws so special, as they make the corrosion of the screw resistant and durable. You can find these screws from any dealer of the car.
Chevrolet
The screw size and type for BMW also works for Chevrolet, which is Prime Ave Stainless Steel Plate Screw. But, again, the process is the same, and you can go for reading as high as 12mm or as low as 8mm in terms of the length of the screw.
This is a premium 18/8 stainless steel screw that offers you a lifetime warranty; since it is an OEM screw, it will be available at auto-parts suppliers.
They enhance the aesthetics of your car and fit perfectly with the frame of the license plate. In addition, these screws are self-tapped with truss heads that do not require washers.
Important Note: In the case of Chevrolet, some models might require different screw sizes as well.
What Are The Points You Need To Be Conscious About While Buying License Plate Screws?
Well, when it comes to buying anything, Amazon is the first platform that pops up in our heads. However, if you are too lazy to visit the auto parts shop to buy your screws, you need to be conscious about some points before you move on to buying the screws online.
Various elements are attached to the license plate when it is adjusted on the car. Thus, the lengthiness of the screw not only depends on the width of the license plate but all the extra elements that add a certain width to the license plate in itself.
There are seven important elements added to the license plate, namely:
- Washers
- Screw covers with a base
- License plate clear cover (if permitted)
- The frame of the license plate
- License plate
- Frame gasket
- Spacers
Since too many elements are added to the plate itself, buying screws online might become a bit risky. Thus, here are some pointers that will help you effectively choose the best screw size for license plates.
The points are as follows:
- If you are looking at a certain screw type on Amazon, let’s say you are looking for revolution stainless steel license plate screws, you need to read the description carefully, in addition to the review section making sure the size fits your vehicle’s model.
- You can use keywords, including the model of your vehicle. For example, instead of typing the screw type, you can type “Ford F-150 license plate screws”.
- If you are still not sure about the screws available on Amazon, you can visit the dealer from where you bought the car or choose to visit any auto parts shop.
You can expect an addition of 12mm with all the elements, and if your screw is extra-long or extra short, it will not fit the license plate securely. Also, be very cautious about the material you choose, as the screws will be continuously exposed to really harsh conditions.
How To Replace License Plate Screws
Since you have come so far after gaining all that knowledge about the Size of License Plate Screw, it is time to implement that knowledge by replacing those screws yourself.
Do not worry, just follow one step at a time:
- The first step is unscrewing the screws present on the frame of the rear license plate with the help of a flat-headed screwdriver.
- Now carefully remove the plate and clean if necessary.
- Make sure the holes are free of any debris.
- Now carefully place the plate back in the initial position.
- Carefully fix the screws on the frame, and make sure the plate is fully secure.
- Repeat the same procedure for the license plate on the front.
Important Note: The screws used in the rear license plate are not the same as the license plate in the car’s front portion.
Check this video out:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Do I Need A Special Screwdriver To Remove The License Plate?
Yes, you definitely need a special screwdriver to remove the license plate. Any flathead screwdriver will work well to remove the screws.
The brand we recommend for such tools is Philips. If your car is new, you can find such tools in the glove box of your car. It might not be true for every brand, though.
If you want to compare a normal flathead screwdriver and a Philips Head screwdriver, the Philips Head screwdriver is definitely a winner, as it provides much better twisting motion. In addition, it helps in removing the screws quite easily as compared to a normal flathead screwdriver.
Q2. Is It Possible To Hold A License Plate With Double Tape?
It might sound impossible, but a double tape can indeed be used to hold a license plate on your car. In this case, you have to make sure that your license plate is free of any dirt when you place the double tape on the back of your plate.
Having said that, we would also include the fact that many people have complained about their license plate coming off in the middle of their drive.
Thus, these complaints definitely highlight that a double tape might not be the best option for putting up a license plate. Thus, always go for screws, my friend.
Q3. Can I Find License Plate Screws At Lowes?
Yes, you can definitely find license plate screws at Lowes. In fact, they have various options like hex head, truss slotted, and hex washer. Make sure you find assistance there, though, so that you do not end up buying the wrong screws.
Conclusion
There is a huge variety when it comes to the Size of License Plate Screw. There is a lot of information to take in. Thus the whole process of just adding a license plate to your car might seem like an overwhelming task. Trust us, and it is not if you have done your research right.
The only thing you need to focus on is buying the correct quality and size of the screws, rest you are only left with the task of putting up your license plate that you can do one step at a time.
We do not recommend buying the screws online, especially if you are a newbie. Instead, visit your car dealer or auto-parts supplier for some additional assistance or recommendations. It is better to ask for help in the early stages to avoid any mistakes on a bigger level.
Resources:
1. https://www.replicarclub.com/license-plate-screw-size/
2. https://roadsumo.com/license-plate-screw-size/
3. https://rxmechanic.com/license-plate-screw-size/
