2010 Chevrolet Cobalt Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt lug nut torque is 100 ft-lbs (140 Nm), tightened with a 19mm 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 (140 Nm) · Socket size: 19mm · Thread: M12x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. 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 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt

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 2010 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 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt is 100 ft-lbs (140 Nm), using a 19mm 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 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt lug nuts?

The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt uses a 19mm 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 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt 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 Chevrolet Cobalt years

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

→ 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

→ 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt axle nut torque spec (CV axle & hub nut)

All 24 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, sourced from OEM service literature and verified against community shop data. Values pair imperial (ft-lb) and metric (Nm) where the manufacturer publishes both. 23 of the 24 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data.

Wheels — 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. Lug nut tightens to 100 ft-lbs (140 Nm), takes a 19mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads. This figure is independently verified against OEM service data.

Brakes — 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt

Brake fasteners on the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. The front brake caliper guide-pin bolt, torqued to 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm). OEM-verified spec. The front brake caliper bracket bolt torques to 85 ft-lbs (115 Nm). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. plan for the right driver; final torque is 96 ft-lbs (130 Nm) (front brake caliper bolt (ss/lnf)). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data.

Engine — 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. The engine oil drain plug torques to 18 ft-lbs (25 Nm). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. plan for the right driver; final torque is 15 ft-lbs (20 Nm) (spark plug). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data.

Drivetrain — 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. plan for the right driver; final torque is 155 ft-lbs (210 Nm) (front axle/hub nut).

Suspension — 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. Stabilizer link-to-strut nut tightens to 48 ft-lbs (65 Nm). OEM-verified spec. The lower ball joint-to-knuckle nut, torqued to 37 ft-lbs then reverse 3/4 turn then 37 ft-lbs + 30 deg (50 Nm). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. The rear axle bushing through bolts torques to 66 ft-lbs (90 Nm) + 60 deg. This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. plan for the right driver; final torque is 50 ft-lbs (68 Nm) (lower ball joint-to-control arm bolts). OEM-verified spec. Lower control arm-to-front frame bolt tightens to 41 ft-lbs (55 Nm). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. The strut shaft top nut, torqued to 52 ft-lbs (70 Nm). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. The lower control arm-to-rear frame bolt torques to 74 ft-lbs (100 Nm) + 180 deg. OEM-verified spec. plan for the right driver; final torque is 81 ft-lbs (110 Nm) (rear shock lower bolt). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. Strut-to-knuckle bolt tightens to 89 ft-lbs (120 Nm). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. The rear wheel bearing/hub nuts, torqued to 33 ft-lbs (45 Nm) + 30 deg. OEM-verified spec. The strut-to-body upper mount nut torques to 15 ft-lbs (20 Nm). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. plan for the right driver; final torque is 85 ft-lbs (115 Nm) (front wheel hub-to-knuckle bolts). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. Stabilizer bar clamp bolt tightens to 37 ft-lbs (50 Nm). OEM-verified spec.

Steering — 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt

Steering linkage fasteners on the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The steering gear-to-frame bolt, torqued to 81 ft-lbs (110 Nm). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. The outer tie rod end nut torques to 18 ft-lbs (25 Nm) + 90 deg. This figure is independently verified against OEM service data.

Transmission — 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt

Transmission fasteners on the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The automatic transaxle oil level control plug torques to 106 lb-in (12 Nm) (1/8-27 NPTF thread). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. plan for the right driver; final torque is 37 ft-lbs (50 Nm) (manual transaxle fluid fill/level plug). OEM-verified spec.

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 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt numbers above.

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