2018 Chevy Traverse Lug Nut Torque (2024)

FAQs

What torque should lug nuts be tightened to? ›

Most vehicles have lug nuts that require around 100 pound-feet of torque, but some vehicles require more or less. It's best to check your vehicle's manual to find out the exact specifications you need.

The REFERENCE torque spec for the lug nuts on a 1999-2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 will be 140 – 190 Nm (just for REFERENCE, please inquire with a tire expert). Since the lug nuts are standard components that are used to secure the wheel to your pickup truck.

For most passenger vehicles equipped with standard lug nuts, a 1/2 inch drive impact wrench providing around 300-400 ft-lbs of torque is sufficient. This covers common lug nut sizes of 14-21 mm on sedans, coupes, hatchbacks and some light trucks or SUVs.

As hard as you can while still being able to loosen them by hand, and not so hard as to damage the threads of the bolts or nuts. There are prescribed torque settings you can use if you've got an accurate torque wrench and your vehicle's owners manual, but the above rule of thumb works in most instances.

The optimum torque value for your car or mounted rims can be found in the vehicle manual. It depends on the car model, rim size, design (aluminium or steel rims) and number of bolts. It is normally between 110 N⋅m and 120 N⋅m.

There are very few chances that 250 ft-lbs delivers enough torque to loosen lug nuts. Most car lug nuts require higher torque values. Similarly, the standard range is 80 ft-lbs to 150 ft-lbs.

For most cars, I use 90 lbs. -feet, and 100 on light trucks using a slightly larger diameter lug. On a smaller car I might use 85 pounds feet. That 90 lbs.

Did you know that impact wrenches shouldn't be used to tighten lug nuts? This may damage or break the nuts, and – in best case scenario – you'll have trouble unscrewing them with a hand wrench.

How do you check wheel torque? After hand-installing your lug nuts, tighten them to your vehicle's torque specs using a torque wrench, a tool designed to measure rotational force. Follow the tightening and loosening pattern shown below. Be careful to tighten to the manufacturer's specifications.

Is a torque check necessary? ›

A wheel torque check is necessary to keep you safe on the roads. It should be done after getting new tires, having tires rotated and balanced, and every other time the wheel is removed and replaced. A wheel torque check should be done after you've driven 50 miles on a newly replaced tire for optimal safety.

In general, lug nuts are often tightened to a torque specification ranging from 80 to 120 foot-pounds (ft-lbs) during installation. So, to remove them, you would ideally need at least the same amount of torque.

To compensate for any possibility of loose nuts and bolts, technicians often are tempted to over-torque the wheel hardware. The improper use of tools, such as impact guns, can result in the same dangerous outcome or worse, as over-torqued lug nuts can cause permanent damage to them.

1/2 -Inch Torque Wrench

This torque range has a wide range going from 30 to 250 foot-pounds of torque. It is the best tool if you are working with lug nuts or anywhere on the vehicle suspension.

Common misconceptions «heard in the field» about lug nut torquing. The more you tighten, the better. False. In most cases, more torque means more tension applied to a bolt, resulting in overtightening which increases the risk of stud break.

The smaller the fitting the easier it is to overtighten. Finger tighten is tightening with finger only, no tools, to a torque of about 1.2 to 1.7 foot-pounds (1.7 to 2.3Nm). Do not overtighten joints by giving one more turn just to be sure.

When rechecking torque value, wait for the wheels to cool to ambient temperature (never torque a hot wheel).