2016 Chevrolet Cruze Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze 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 2016 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 2016 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 2016 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 2016 Chevrolet Cruze?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze 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 2016 Chevrolet Cruze lug nuts?

The 2016 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 2016 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.

→ 2016 Chevrolet Cruze oil drain plug torque & size

→ 2016 Chevrolet Cruze suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 42 2016 Chevrolet Cruze fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2016 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 — 2016 Chevrolet Cruze

Brake fasteners on the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. Abs sensor bolt tightens to 89 in-lbs (10 Nm), takes a 8mm driver, runs on M6x1.0 threads. The rear caliper slide pin bolt uses a 13mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 26 ft-lbs (35 Nm). The brake rotor screw torques to 62 in-lbs (7 Nm) (T20 drive, M6x1.0 thread). For the front, plan for a 13mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 26 ft-lbs (35 Nm) (front caliper slide pin bolt). Front caliper bracket bolt tightens to 85 ft-lbs (115 Nm), takes a 18mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the front. 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 — 2016 Chevrolet Cruze

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. The oil drain plug uses a 15mm drive on a M12x1.75 thread, torqued to 18 ft-lbs (25 Nm). The crankshaft pulley bolt torques to 74 ft-lbs + 75° turn (22mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). plan for a 15mm tool on a M10x1.5 stud; final torque is 37 ft-lbs (50 Nm) (turbocharger mounting bolt). Valve cover bolt tightens to 89 in-lbs (10 Nm), takes a 8mm driver, runs on M6x1.0 threads. The exhaust manifold bolt uses a 13mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 11 ft-lbs (15 Nm). The pcv valve hose clamp torques to 35 in-lbs (4 Nm) (7mm drive, — thread). plan for a 10mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm) (oil pan bolt). Intake manifold bolt tightens to 16 ft-lbs (22 Nm), takes a 10mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads. The engine mount through bolt uses a 18mm drive on a M12x1.75 thread, torqued to 74 ft-lbs (100 Nm). The glow plug torques to 11 ft-lbs (15 Nm) (12mm drive, M10x1.0 thread). plan for a 10mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm) (water pump bolt).

Suspension — 2016 Chevrolet Cruze

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. The rear knuckle-to-trailing arm bolt torques to 66 ft-lbs (89 Nm) (18mm drive, M12x1.5 thread). plan for a 15mm tool on a M10x1.5 stud; final torque is 118 ft-lbs (160 Nm) (wheel hub bearing bolt). Strut mount nut tightens to 59 ft-lbs (80 Nm), takes a 21mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 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 bracket bolt torques to 37 ft-lbs (50 Nm) (15mm drive, M10x1.5 thread). plan for a 18mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 133 ft-lbs (180 Nm) (strut-to-knuckle bolt). Tie rod end nut tightens to 52 ft-lbs (70 Nm), takes a 19mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads. The lower control arm front bolt uses a 21mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 111 ft-lbs (150 Nm). The sway bar link nut torques to 48 ft-lbs (65 Nm) (15mm drive, M10x1.5 thread).

Steering — 2016 Chevrolet Cruze

Steering linkage fasteners on the 2016 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 — 2016 Chevrolet Cruze

Body fasteners on the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. Hood hinge bolt tightens to 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm), takes a 13mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads. The seat belt anchor bolt uses a 18mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 37 ft-lbs (50 Nm).

Exhaust — 2016 Chevrolet Cruze

Exhaust fasteners on the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The o2 sensor uses a 22mm drive on a M18x1.5 thread, torqued to 30 ft-lbs (41 Nm). The exhaust pipe flange bolt torques to 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm) (15mm drive, M10x1.5 thread).

Electrical — 2016 Chevrolet Cruze

Electrical fasteners on the 2016 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 — 2016 Chevrolet Cruze

Transmission fasteners on the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. plan for a 15mm tool on a M10x1.5 stud; final torque is 55 ft-lbs (75 Nm) (transmission-to-engine bolt). Transmission mount bolt tightens to 35 ft-lbs (47 Nm), takes a 15mm driver, runs on M10x1.5 threads. The transmission pan bolt uses a 10mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 11 ft-lbs (15 Nm). The torque converter bolt torques to 46 ft-lbs (63 Nm) (15mm drive, M10x1.25 thread).

Wheels & Tires — 2016 Chevrolet Cruze

Wheels & Tires fasteners on the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. Lug nut tightens to 100 ft-lbs (136 Nm), takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads.

Cooling — 2016 Chevrolet Cruze

Cooling fasteners on the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The thermostat housing bolt uses a 10mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm).

Ignition — 2016 Chevrolet Cruze

Ignition fasteners on the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. The spark plug torques to 15 ft-lbs (20 Nm) (5/8 in. drive, M14x1.25 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 2016 Chevrolet Cruze numbers above.

Loading the interactive 2016 Chevrolet Cruze fastener lookup with per-bolt filtering, part links, and torque tools…