BMW Patents Screw Head That Would Require Specialized Tools to Remove

BMW has patented a screw that would require exclusive tools to remove, as shared in a report from CarBuzz.

The screw features the BMW roundel logo as its head, to be used in places where fasteners are usually visible, such as seat mounting places, as well as other parts including connecting “the cockpit to the load-bearing body structure.” Notably, these areas use large fasteners, and mildly high levels of torque.

The controversy with the screw is the tools that would be needed to remove it. Per the patent, “the shape of the engagement recesses prevents the screw from being loosened or tightened using common counter-drive structures, e.g. by unauthorized persons.” If implemented, any repair provider working on a vehicle with these screws would require an entire set of specialized tools.

The concept is only a patent at the moment, and may not make it to any part of production—but its revelation has sparked concern from independent repair providers.