2012 Chevrolet Cruze Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze lug nut torque is 100 ft-lbs (135 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 (135 Nm) · Socket size: 17mm · Thread: M12x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. 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 Chevrolet Cruze

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 Chevrolet Cruze?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze is 100 ft-lbs (135 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 Chevrolet Cruze lug nuts?

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze 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 Chevrolet Cruze 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 Cruze years

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

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

All 41 2012 Chevrolet Cruze fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, 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 Chevrolet Cruze

Brake fasteners on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. Front caliper slide pin bolt tightens to 26 ft-lbs (35 Nm), takes a 13mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the front. The front caliper bracket bolt uses a 18mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 85 ft-lbs (115 Nm) at the front. The rear caliper slide pin bolt torques to 26 ft-lbs (35 Nm) (13mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). plan for a T20 tool on a M6x1.0 stud; final torque is 62 in-lbs (7 Nm) (brake rotor screw). Abs sensor bolt tightens to 89 in-lbs (10 Nm), takes a 8mm driver, runs on M6x1.0 threads. The rear caliper bracket bolt uses a 10mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 22 ft-lbs (30 Nm) at the rear.

Engine — 2012 Chevrolet Cruze

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. The pcv valve hose clamp uses a 7mm drive on a — thread, torqued to 35 in-lbs (4 Nm). The water pump bolt torques to 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm) (10mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). plan for a 18mm tool on a M12x1.75 stud; final torque is 74 ft-lbs (100 Nm) (engine mount through bolt). Oil drain plug tightens to 18 ft-lbs (25 Nm), takes a 15mm driver, runs on M12x1.75 threads. The exhaust manifold bolt uses a 13mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 11 ft-lbs (15 Nm). The valve cover bolt torques to 89 in-lbs (10 Nm) (8mm drive, M6x1.0 thread). plan for a 10mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm) (oil pan bolt). Crankshaft pulley bolt tightens to 74 ft-lbs + 75° turn, takes a 22mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads. The intake manifold bolt uses a 10mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 16 ft-lbs (22 Nm). The turbocharger mounting bolt torques to 37 ft-lbs (50 Nm) (15mm drive, M10x1.5 thread).

Suspension — 2012 Chevrolet Cruze

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. The wheel hub bearing bolt torques to 118 ft-lbs (160 Nm) (15mm drive, M10x1.5 thread). plan for a 18mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 66 ft-lbs (89 Nm) (rear knuckle-to-trailing arm bolt). Strut mount nut tightens to 59 ft-lbs (80 Nm), takes a 21mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads. The strut-to-knuckle bolt uses a 18mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 133 ft-lbs (180 Nm). The lower control arm front bolt torques to 111 ft-lbs (150 Nm) (21mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). plan for a 19mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 52 ft-lbs (70 Nm) (tie rod end nut). Sway bar bracket bolt tightens to 37 ft-lbs (50 Nm), takes a 15mm driver, runs on M10x1.5 threads. The rear shock lower bolt uses a 18mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 66 ft-lbs (89 Nm). The sway bar link nut torques to 48 ft-lbs (65 Nm) (15mm drive, M10x1.5 thread).

Steering — 2012 Chevrolet Cruze

Steering linkage fasteners on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. plan for a 15mm tool on a M10x1.5 stud; final torque is 35 ft-lbs (47 Nm) (steering intermediate shaft pinch bolt). Steering rack mount bolt tightens to 74 ft-lbs (100 Nm), takes a 15mm driver, runs on M10x1.5 threads.

Body — 2012 Chevrolet Cruze

Body fasteners on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. Seat belt anchor bolt tightens to 37 ft-lbs (50 Nm), takes a 18mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads. The hood hinge bolt uses a 13mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm).

Exhaust — 2012 Chevrolet Cruze

Exhaust fasteners on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The exhaust pipe flange bolt uses a 15mm drive on a M10x1.5 thread, torqued to 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm). The o2 sensor torques to 30 ft-lbs (41 Nm) (22mm drive, M18x1.5 thread).

Electrical — 2012 Chevrolet Cruze

Electrical fasteners on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The battery terminal bolt torques to 53 in-lbs (6 Nm) (8mm drive, M6x1.0 thread). plan for a 10mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 15 ft-lbs (20 Nm) (battery hold-down bolt). Alternator bolt tightens to 33 ft-lbs (45 Nm), takes a 15mm driver, runs on M10x1.5 threads.

Transmission — 2012 Chevrolet Cruze

Transmission fasteners on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. plan for a 15mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 46 ft-lbs (63 Nm) (torque converter bolt). Transmission pan bolt tightens to 11 ft-lbs (15 Nm), takes a 10mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads. The transmission-to-engine bolt uses a 15mm drive on a M10x1.5 thread, torqued to 55 ft-lbs (75 Nm). The transmission mount bolt torques to 35 ft-lbs (47 Nm) (15mm drive, M10x1.5 thread).

Wheels & Tires — 2012 Chevrolet Cruze

Wheels & Tires fasteners on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. Lug nut tightens to 100 ft-lbs (135 Nm), takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads.

Ignition — 2012 Chevrolet Cruze

Ignition fasteners on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The spark plug uses a 5/8 in. drive on a M14x1.25 thread, torqued to 15 ft-lbs (20 Nm).

Cooling — 2012 Chevrolet Cruze

Cooling fasteners on the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze. The thermostat housing bolt torques to 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm) (10mm drive, M8x1.25 thread).

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 Chevrolet Cruze numbers above.

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