2012 GMC Acadia Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2012 GMC Acadia lug nut torque is 140 ft-lbs (190 Nm) 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. The wheel bolt pattern is 6x132.

Lug nut torque: 140 ft-lbs (190 Nm) · Thread: M12x1.5 · Bolt pattern: 6x132.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2012 GMC Acadia. 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 GMC Acadia

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 GMC Acadia?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2012 GMC Acadia is 140 ft-lbs (190 Nm) 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 GMC Acadia lug nuts?

Most modern GMC vehicles use a 19mm or 21mm socket. Older GMC models from before 2000 may use a 13/16" SAE socket on certain trims. Confirm against the actual lug before purchasing aftermarket wheels.

Are the 2012 GMC Acadia 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 GMC Acadia years

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

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

→ 2012 GMC Acadia engine & transmission mount torque specs

All 23 2012 GMC Acadia fastener specs

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

Wheels — 2012 GMC Acadia

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2012 GMC Acadia. The lug nut is a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 140 ft-lbs (190 Nm).

Brakes — 2012 GMC Acadia

Brake fasteners on the 2012 GMC Acadia — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. The front caliper guide pin bolt torques to 47 ft-lbs (64 Nm). plan for the right driver; final torque is 129 ft-lbs (175 Nm) (front caliper bracket bolt). Rear caliper bracket bolt tightens to 129 ft-lbs (175 Nm). The rear caliper guide pin bolt, torqued to 20 ft-lbs (27 Nm).

Engine — 2012 GMC Acadia

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2012 GMC Acadia, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. plan for the right driver; final torque is 66 ft-lbs (90 Nm) (engine mount strut bracket bolt). Engine mount bracket bolt (m10) tightens to 43 ft-lbs (58 Nm), runs on M10 threads. The oil drain plug is a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 18 ft-lbs (25 Nm). The oil filter cap torques to 18 ft-lbs (25 Nm). plan for the right driver; final torque is 7 ft-lbs (10 Nm) (valve cover bolt).

Drivetrain — 2012 GMC Acadia

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2012 GMC Acadia — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. Transmission to engine bolt tightens to 37 ft-lbs (50 Nm). The transmission mount bolt, torqued to 45 ft-lbs (60 Nm). The front axle hub nut torques to 173 ft-lbs (235 Nm).

Suspension — 2012 GMC Acadia

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2012 GMC Acadia — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. The rear lower control arm bolt (rear), torqued to 89 ft-lbs (120 Nm) + 60 deg. The front lower control arm front bracket nut torques to 55 ft-lbs (75 Nm). plan for the right driver; final torque is 103 ft-lbs (140 Nm) (rear toe link nut). Rear upper control arm nut tightens to 103 ft-lbs (140 Nm). The front strut to knuckle bolt, torqued to 144 ft-lbs (195 Nm). The rear shock absorber upper nut torques to 52 ft-lbs (70 Nm). plan for the right driver; final torque is 74 ft-lbs (100 Nm) + 60 deg (rear shock absorber lower bolt). Front lower control arm rear bushing nut tightens to 144 ft-lbs (195 Nm). The rear lower control arm bolt (front), torqued to 81 ft-lbs (110 Nm) + 45 deg.

Steering — 2012 GMC Acadia

Steering linkage fasteners on the 2012 GMC Acadia. The outer tie rod end nut torques to 50 ft-lbs (68 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 2012 GMC Acadia numbers above.

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