2012 Buick Regal Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2012 Buick Regal lug nut torque is 100 ft-lbs (136 Nm), tightened with a 17mm socket on M12x1.5 studs. Torque in a star pattern in two passes (snug, then final), and re-check after the first 50–100 miles of driving. Use a calibrated torque wrench — not an impact gun — for the final pass.

Lug nut torque: 100 ft-lbs (136 Nm) · Socket size: 17mm · Thread: M12x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2012 Buick Regal. Use it before any maintenance or repair job where torque values matter — brake work, wheel changes, suspension service, engine teardowns, or oil changes. Specs are pulled from manufacturer service literature, cross-checked against community data, and updated as new chassis variants become available.

GM lug-nut torque clusters around 140 ft-lbs (190 Nm) for half-ton Silverado/Sierra and 100 ft-lbs for passenger cars like Malibu, Impala, and Cruze. GM heavy-duty trucks (2500HD/3500HD) jump to 165 ft-lbs. Most GM passenger cars use a 19mm socket; trucks moved from 22mm to 22mm-with-deep-well in 2014. Watch for GM's flat-flange lug nut design on the Silverado — the standard cone-seat aftermarket lugs will not seat correctly.

Common fastener categories on the 2012 Buick Regal

Wheel / lug nut torque and thread spec (covered above)
Brake caliper bracket bolts (typically 80-130 ft-lbs) and slide/guide pins (18-35 ft-lbs)
Engine oil drain plug torque — rarely above 30 ft-lbs; always use a new crush washer
Transmission pan, valve cover, and intake manifold bolts (low torque, often 89-106 in-lbs)
Suspension control arm, sway bar, tie rod end and ball joint torque
Spark plug torque (typically 10-15 ft-lbs on aluminum heads — do not exceed)
Differential cover bolts (RWD/4WD only) and transfer case fasteners

Repair guidance for this model year

For 2012 model-year work: This era introduced widespread torque-to-yield (TTY) bolts on head, main, and crank pulley fasteners. TTY bolts stretch permanently when torqued and must not be reused — the spec calls for a fresh bolt every time. Always verify TTY status against the FSM before reassembly.

Tools you will need

Metric socket set (8mm-22mm), 6-point impact-rated
Calibrated torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs covers most automotive jobs; add a 0-250 ft-lbs wrench for truck lug nuts)
Breaker bar (24" minimum) for initial loosening
Penetrating oil (PB Blaster or Kroil) for any fastener over 5 years old
Anti-seize on stainless or dissimilar-metal threads; thread-locker (Loctite blue) on critical reassembly

Frequently asked questions

What is the lug nut torque on a 2012 Buick Regal?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2012 Buick Regal is 100 ft-lbs (136 Nm), using a 17mm socket on M12x1.5 thread studs. Use a calibrated torque wrench in a star pattern, in two passes (50% and 100%), and re-check after 50-100 miles of driving.

What socket size do I need for the 2012 Buick Regal lug nuts?

The 2012 Buick Regal uses a 17mm socket. A 6-point impact-rated socket is recommended over a 12-point chrome socket — 12-points round off lug nuts under impact-driver use.

Are the 2012 Buick Regal fasteners metric or SAE?

Metric is the standard for this vehicle. Most fasteners on this vehicle are metric (M6, M8, M10, M12, M14). Bring a full metric set; SAE substitutes can round the head. Bolt-head markings are the fastest way to confirm grade and material at the bench.

Other Buick Regal years

Same model, different model year — fastener spec may change. Always confirm against the year for your VIN.

→ 2012 Buick Regal suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 12 2012 Buick Regal fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2012 Buick Regal, sourced from OEM service literature and verified against community shop data. Values pair imperial (ft-lb) and metric (Nm) where the manufacturer publishes both.

Brakes — 2012 Buick Regal

Brake fasteners on the 2012 Buick Regal — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. Rear caliper bracket bolt tightens to 44 ft-lbs (60 Nm), takes a 15mm driver, runs on M10x1.5 threads, located at the rear. The front caliper slide pin uses a 13mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 26 ft-lbs (35 Nm) at the front. At the rear, the rear caliper slide pin torques to 26 ft-lbs (35 Nm) (13mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). For the front, plan for a 18mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 137 ft-lbs (186 Nm) (front caliper bracket bolt).

Engine — 2012 Buick Regal

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2012 Buick Regal, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. The spark plug uses a 5/8 in. drive on a M14x1.25 thread, torqued to 15 ft-lbs (20 Nm). The oil filter torques to 18 ft-lbs (25 Nm) (32mm cap drive). plan for a 15mm tool on a M12x1.75 stud; final torque is 18 ft-lbs (25 Nm) (oil drain plug).

Suspension — 2012 Buick Regal

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2012 Buick Regal — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. At the front, the front strut top nut torques to 37 ft-lbs (50 Nm) (15mm drive, M12x1.5 thread). For the rear, plan for a 15mm tool on a M10x1.5 stud; final torque is 59 ft-lbs (80 Nm) (rear lower control arm bolt). Front lower control arm bolt tightens to 74 ft-lbs (100 Nm), takes a 18mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the front.

Wheels & Tires — 2012 Buick Regal

Wheels & Tires fasteners on the 2012 Buick Regal. plan for a 17mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 100 ft-lbs (136 Nm) (lug nut).

Transmission — 2012 Buick Regal

Transmission fasteners on the 2012 Buick Regal. Transmission drain plug tightens to 18 ft-lbs (25 Nm), takes a 10mm hex driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads.

New to torquing wheels? Read our How lug nut torque works — the complete guide for star-pattern sequence, re-torque intervals, and how to read a lug spec — then use the 2012 Buick Regal numbers above.

Loading the interactive 2012 Buick Regal fastener lookup with per-bolt filtering, part links, and torque tools…