2012 Honda Civic Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2012 Honda Civic lug nut torque is 80 ft-lbs, 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: 80 ft-lbs · Socket size: 19mm · Thread: M12x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2012 Honda Civic. 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.

Honda's lug-nut torque sits at 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) for nearly every passenger model from 1998 onward, with an M12x1.5 thread on most cars and the larger 14mm thread on Ridgeline and Pilot. The 19mm socket Honda uses is one of the only OEM oddities in the Japanese lineup — bring a 19mm with you, not just a 21mm. Honda factory torque values for engine oil drain plugs are unusually low (29 ft-lbs on most engines) and the crush washer is single-use, so replace it every oil change.

Common fastener categories on the 2012 Honda Civic

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 Honda Civic?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2012 Honda Civic is 80 ft-lbs, 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 2012 Honda Civic lug nuts?

The 2012 Honda Civic 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 2012 Honda Civic 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 Honda Civic years

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

All 56 2012 Honda Civic fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2012 Honda Civic, 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 Honda Civic

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2012 Honda Civic. The lug nut uses a 19mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) at the wheel hub.

Brakes — 2012 Honda Civic

Brake fasteners on the 2012 Honda Civic — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. At the caliper, the brake line banjo bolt torques to 25 ft-lbs (10mm drive, M10x1.0 thread). For the front brake caliper bracket, plan for a 17mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 80 ft-lbs (front caliper bracket bolt). Brake bleeder valve tightens to 7 ft-lbs, takes a 8mm driver, runs on M8x1.0 threads, located at the caliper.

Engine — 2012 Honda Civic

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2012 Honda Civic, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. For the engine mount, plan for a 17mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 47 ft-lbs (engine mount bolt). Fuel rail bolt tightens to 16 ft-lbs, takes a 10mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the fuel rail. The oil drain plug uses a 17mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 29 ft-lbs at the oil pan. At the intake manifold, the intake manifold bolt torques to 16 ft-lbs (12mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). For the engine, plan for a 14mm tool on a M11x1.5 stud; final torque is Stage 1: 22 ft-lbs, Stage 2: +90°, Stage 3: +90° (cylinder head bolt). Alternator bolt tightens to 33 ft-lbs, takes a 14mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the alternator bracket. The exhaust manifold nut uses a 12mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 23 ft-lbs at the exhaust manifold. At the engine, the connecting rod bolt torques to Stage 1: 14 ft-lbs, Stage 2: +90° (12mm drive, M8x1.0 thread). For the cylinder head, plan for a 5/8" tool on a M14x1.25 stud; final torque is 13 ft-lbs (spark plug). Throttle body bolt tightens to 16 ft-lbs, takes a 10mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the throttle body. The water pump bolt uses a 12mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 15 ft-lbs at the front cover. At the thermostat housing, the thermostat housing bolt torques to 9 ft-lbs (10mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). For the belt tensioner, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 33 ft-lbs (serpentine belt tensioner bolt). Valve cover bolt tightens to 7.2 ft-lbs, takes a 10mm driver, runs on M6x1.0 threads, located at the valve cover. The timing cover bolt uses a 10mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 9 ft-lbs at the timing cover. At the engine block, the oil filter torques to Hand tight + 3/4 turn (Oil Filter Wrench drive, N/A thread). For the air intake, plan for a 8mm tool on a N/A stud; final torque is Hand tight (air intake boot clamp). Oil pan bolt tightens to 16 ft-lbs, takes a 10mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the oil pan.

Drivetrain — 2012 Honda Civic

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2012 Honda Civic — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. Axle nut tightens to 181 ft-lbs, takes a 32mm driver, runs on M24x1.5 threads, located at the front hub/spindle.

Suspension — 2012 Honda Civic

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2012 Honda Civic — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. The strut tower nut uses a 12mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 28 ft-lbs at the strut tower. At the sway bar link, the sway bar end link nut torques to 29 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). For the front strut mount, plan for a 17mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 33 ft-lbs (strut top nut). Sway bar bracket bolt tightens to 16 ft-lbs, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the subframe. The steering rack bolt uses a 14mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 29 ft-lbs at the subframe. At the knuckle, the strut pinch bolt torques to 116 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M12x1.5 thread). For the control arm, plan for a 17mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 32 ft-lbs (ball joint nut). Ball joint castle nut tightens to 40 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the ball joint. The lower control arm bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 54 ft-lbs at the subframe. At the chassis, the front subframe bolt torques to 76 ft-lbs (19mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the tie rod, plan for a 19mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 40 ft-lbs (tie rod end nut). Wheel lug nut tightens to 80 ft-lbs, takes a 19mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the wheels.

Body — 2012 Honda Civic

Body fasteners on the 2012 Honda Civic. At the body, the door hinge bolt torques to 16 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M8x1.25 thread).

Wheel — 2012 Honda Civic

Wheel fasteners on the 2012 Honda Civic. For the wheel rim, plan for a 8mm tool on a N/A stud; final torque is 35 in-lbs (tpms valve stem nut). Center cap clip tightens to N/A, takes a N/A driver, runs on N/A threads, located at the wheel center. The wheel weight clip uses a N/A drive on a N/A thread, torqued to N/A at the wheel rim. At the wheel hub, the wheel stud torques to N/A (N/A drive, M12x1.5 thread).

Brake — 2012 Honda Civic

Brake fasteners on the 2012 Honda Civic. Brake hose banjo bolt tightens to 25 ft-lbs, takes a 10mm driver, runs on M10x1.0 threads, located at the brake caliper. The abs sensor bolt uses a 8mm drive on a M6x1.0 thread, torqued to 7 ft-lbs at the wheel hub. At the brake lines, the brake line flare nut torques to 11 ft-lbs (10mm drive, M10x1.0 thread). For the rear caliper, plan for a 10mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 16 ft-lbs (parking brake cable bolt). Brake rotor set screw tightens to 84 in-lbs, takes a Phillips driver, runs on M6x1.0 threads, located at the brake rotor. The caliper mounting bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 80 ft-lbs at the brake caliper. At the caliper bracket, the caliper guide pin torques to 25 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). For the knuckle, plan for a 17mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 80 ft-lbs (caliper bracket bolt). Master cylinder nut tightens to 11 ft-lbs, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the brake booster.

Transmission — 2012 Honda Civic

Transmission fasteners on the 2012 Honda Civic. The transmission drain plug uses a 17mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 29 ft-lbs at the trans pan. At the chassis, the transmission crossmember bolt torques to 47 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). For the cv boot, plan for a Pliers tool on a N/A stud; final torque is Hand tight (cv joint clamp). Transmission fill plug tightens to 29 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the transmission. The transmission mount bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 47 ft-lbs at the trans mount. At the trans case, the shift cable bracket bolt torques to 16 ft-lbs (10mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). For the bearing support, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 29 ft-lbs (intermediate shaft bolt).

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