2019 Chevrolet Cruze Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2019 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 2019 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 2019 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 2019 late-model work: Modern vehicles increasingly use aluminum body and suspension components. Aluminum fastener torque is typically 60-70% of equivalent steel torque, and aluminum threads strip easily. Use a calibrated torque wrench and apply anti-seize on any steel fastener threading into aluminum.

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 2019 Chevrolet Cruze?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2019 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 2019 Chevrolet Cruze lug nuts?

The 2019 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 2019 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.

→ 2019 Chevrolet Cruze oil drain plug torque & size

→ 2019 Chevrolet Cruze suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 41 2019 Chevrolet Cruze fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2019 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 — 2019 Chevrolet Cruze

Brake fasteners on the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. 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 front caliper bracket bolt uses a 18mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 85 ft-lbs (115 Nm) at the front. At the rear, the rear caliper bracket bolt torques to 22 ft-lbs (30 Nm) (10mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). plan for a 13mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 26 ft-lbs (35 Nm) (rear caliper slide pin bolt). 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.

Engine — 2019 Chevrolet Cruze

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. Intake manifold bolt tightens to 16 ft-lbs (22 Nm), takes a 10mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads. The crankshaft pulley bolt uses a 22mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 74 ft-lbs + 75° turn. The glow plug torques to 11 ft-lbs (15 Nm) (12mm drive, M10x1.0 thread). plan for a 8mm tool on a M6x1.0 stud; final torque is 89 in-lbs (10 Nm) (valve cover bolt). Oil drain plug tightens to 18 ft-lbs (25 Nm), takes a 15mm driver, runs on M12x1.75 threads. The turbocharger mounting bolt uses a 15mm drive on a M10x1.5 thread, torqued to 37 ft-lbs (50 Nm). The oil pan 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). Water pump bolt tightens to 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm), takes a 10mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads. The exhaust manifold bolt uses a 13mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 11 ft-lbs (15 Nm).

Suspension — 2019 Chevrolet Cruze

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. The sway bar link nut uses a 15mm drive on a M10x1.5 thread, torqued to 48 ft-lbs (65 Nm). The strut-to-knuckle bolt torques to 133 ft-lbs (180 Nm) (18mm drive, M12x1.5 thread). plan for a 18mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 66 ft-lbs (89 Nm) (rear shock lower bolt). Lower control arm front bolt tightens to 111 ft-lbs (150 Nm), takes a 21mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads. The tie rod end nut uses a 19mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 52 ft-lbs (70 Nm). The strut mount nut torques to 59 ft-lbs (80 Nm) (21mm drive, M14x1.5 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). Sway bar bracket bolt tightens to 37 ft-lbs (50 Nm), takes a 15mm driver, runs on M10x1.5 threads. The wheel hub bearing bolt uses a 15mm drive on a M10x1.5 thread, torqued to 118 ft-lbs (160 Nm).

Steering — 2019 Chevrolet Cruze

Steering linkage fasteners on the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze. The steering intermediate shaft pinch bolt torques to 35 ft-lbs (47 Nm) (15mm drive, M10x1.5 thread). plan for a 15mm tool on a M10x1.5 stud; final torque is 74 ft-lbs (100 Nm) (steering rack mount bolt).

Body — 2019 Chevrolet Cruze

Body fasteners on the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze. plan for a 13mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm) (hood hinge bolt). Seat belt anchor bolt tightens to 37 ft-lbs (50 Nm), takes a 18mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads.

Exhaust — 2019 Chevrolet Cruze

Exhaust fasteners on the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze. Exhaust pipe flange bolt tightens to 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm), takes a 15mm driver, runs on M10x1.5 threads. The o2 sensor uses a 22mm drive on a M18x1.5 thread, torqued to 30 ft-lbs (41 Nm).

Electrical — 2019 Chevrolet Cruze

Electrical fasteners on the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze. The battery hold-down bolt uses a 10mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 15 ft-lbs (20 Nm). The alternator bolt torques to 33 ft-lbs (45 Nm) (15mm drive, M10x1.5 thread). plan for a 8mm tool on a M6x1.0 stud; final torque is 53 in-lbs (6 Nm) (battery terminal bolt).

Transmission — 2019 Chevrolet Cruze

Transmission fasteners on the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze. The transmission pan bolt torques to 11 ft-lbs (15 Nm) (10mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). plan for a 15mm tool on a M10x1.5 stud; final torque is 55 ft-lbs (75 Nm) (transmission-to-engine bolt). Torque converter bolt tightens to 46 ft-lbs (63 Nm), takes a 15mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads. The transmission mount bolt uses a 15mm drive on a M10x1.5 thread, torqued to 35 ft-lbs (47 Nm).

Wheels & Tires — 2019 Chevrolet Cruze

Wheels & Tires fasteners on the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze. plan for a 17mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 100 ft-lbs (136 Nm) (lug nut).

Ignition — 2019 Chevrolet Cruze

Ignition fasteners on the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze. Spark plug tightens to 15 ft-lbs (20 Nm), takes a 5/8 in. driver, runs on M14x1.25 threads.

Cooling — 2019 Chevrolet Cruze

Cooling fasteners on the 2019 Chevrolet Cruze. The thermostat housing bolt uses a 10mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm).

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 2019 Chevrolet Cruze numbers above.

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