2018 Hyundai Elantra Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2018 Hyundai Elantra lug nut torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm), tightened with a 21mm 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 (108 Nm) · Socket size: 21mm · Thread: M12x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra. 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.

Hyundai/Kia lug-nut torque is 79-88 ft-lbs on nearly all passenger models, M12x1.5 thread, 21mm socket. The Tucson, Sportage, and Santa Fe all use the same fastener spec. Hyundai's oil drain plug threads are unusually fine-pitch and strip easily — always use a torque wrench, not feel.

Common fastener categories on the 2018 Hyundai Elantra

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 2018 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 2018 Hyundai Elantra?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm), using a 21mm 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 2018 Hyundai Elantra lug nuts?

The 2018 Hyundai Elantra uses a 21mm 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 2018 Hyundai Elantra 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 Hyundai Elantra years

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

→ 2018 Hyundai Elantra oil drain plug torque & size

→ 2018 Hyundai Elantra suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 32 2018 Hyundai Elantra fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra, sourced from OEM service literature and verified against community shop data. Values pair imperial (ft-lb) and metric (Nm) where the manufacturer publishes both. 8 of the 32 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data (last reviewed June 2026).

Wheels — 2018 Hyundai Elantra

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra. At the wheel studs, the lug nuts torques to 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) (21mm drive, M12x1.5 thread). For the all four wheels, plan for a 17mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) (lug nut).

Brakes — 2018 Hyundai Elantra

Brake fasteners on the 2018 Hyundai Elantra — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. For the caliper body to caliper bracket (guide rod bolts), plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 20 ft-lbs (27 Nm) (front caliper slide pin bolts). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. Rotor retaining screw tightens to 5-8 Nm (4-6 ft-lb), takes a #3 Phillips driver, runs on M6 x 1.0 threads, located at the rotor face to hub flange (front and rear). The front brake caliper slide pin uses a 12mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 20 ft-lbs (27 Nm) at the front caliper slide pin. OEM-verified spec. At the front caliper bracket (carrier) to steering knuckle, the front caliper bracket bolts torques to 65 ft-lbs (88 Nm) (17mm drive, M12x1.25 thread). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. For the rear caliper body to rear caliper bracket (guide rod bolts), plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 21.6-31.4 Nm (15.9-23.1 ft-lb) (rear caliper slide pin bolts). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. Front brake caliper bracket bolt tightens to 65 ft-lbs (88 Nm), takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.25 threads, located at the front brake caliper bracket. OEM-verified spec. The rear caliper bracket bolts uses a 14mm drive on a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 78.5-98.1 Nm (57.9-72.3 ft-lb) at the rear caliper bracket (carrier) to rear axle carrier.

Engine — 2018 Hyundai Elantra

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. Connecting rod bearing cap bolts tightens to 17.7-21.6 Nm (13.0-15.9 ft-lb) + 88-92°, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M9 x 1.0 threads, located at the connecting rod caps. The cylinder head bolts uses a 10mm spline (M10 Torx-style) drive on a M10 x 1.25 thread, torqued to 32.4-36.3 Nm (23.9-26.8 ft-lb) + 90-95° + 90-95° at the cylinder head to block — 10 bolts. At the intake manifold to cylinder head, the intake manifold bolts/nuts torques to 18.6-23.5 Nm (13.7-17.4 ft-lb) (12mm drive, M8 x 1.25 thread). For the cylinder head, one per cylinder, plan for a 5/8" (16mm) spark plug socket tool on a M12 x 1.25 stud; final torque is 18 ft-lbs (25 Nm) (spark plugs). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. Main bearing cap bolts tightens to 27.5-31.4 Nm (20.3-23.1 ft-lb) + 120-125°, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M10 x 1.25 threads, located at the main bearing caps at bottom of cylinder block. The oil pan bolts uses a 10mm drive on a M8 x 1.25 thread, torqued to 9.8-11.8 Nm (7.2-8.7 ft-lb) at the oil pan to block. At the front of crankshaft / harmonic balancer, the crankshaft pulley bolt torques to 196.1-205.9 Nm (144.7-151.9 ft-lb) (19mm drive, M14 x 1.5 thread). For the exhaust manifold studs at cylinder head, plan for a 12mm tool on a M8 x 1.25 stud; final torque is 29.4-34.3 Nm (21.7-25.3 ft-lb) (exhaust manifold nuts). Valve cover bolt tightens to 6-8 ft-lbs, takes a 10mm driver, runs on M6x1.0 threads, located at the valve cover. The valve cover bolts uses a 10mm drive on a M6 x 1.0 thread, torqued to Step 1: 3.9-5.9 Nm (2.9-4.3 ft-lb), Step 2: 7.8-9.8 Nm (5.8-7.2 ft-lb) at the cylinder head cover. At the timing chain auto-tensioner, front of engine, the timing chain tensioner bolt torques to 9.8-11.8 Nm (7.2-8.7 ft-lb) (10mm drive, M6 x 1.0 thread). For the bottom of oil pan, plan for a 17mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm) (oil drain plug). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. Camshaft sprocket (cvvt) bolt tightens to 64.7-76.5 Nm (47.7-56.4 ft-lb), takes a 19mm driver, runs on M14 x 1.5 threads, located at the intake and exhaust cvvt assemblies on camshafts. The spark plug uses a 5/8" drive on a M14x1.25 thread, torqued to 18 ft-lbs (25 Nm) at the cylinder head. OEM-verified spec.

Suspension — 2018 Hyundai Elantra

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. The front lower control arm bolts uses a 17-19mm drive on a M14 x 1.5 thread, torqued to 78.5-88.3 Nm (57.9-65.1 ft-lb) at knuckle; 98.1-117.7 Nm (72.3-86.8 ft-lb) at subframe at the front lower control arm to subframe and to knuckle. At the top of front strut shaft at strut tower (3 nuts), the front strut top nut torques to 63.7-100.0 Nm (47-74 ft-lb) (14-15mm with hex hold drive, M14 x 1.5 thread). For the tie rod end to steering knuckle, plan for a 17mm tool on a M12 x 1.25 stud; final torque is 23.5-33.3 Nm (17-25 ft-lb) (tie rod end nut). Rear shock lower bolt tightens to 98.1-117.7 Nm (72.3-86.8 ft-lb), takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12 x 1.25 threads, located at the rear shock absorber lower mount to torsion beam axle. The sway bar end link nut uses a 18mm with hex hold drive on a M12 x 1.25 thread, torqued to 116.6 Nm (86 ft-lb) at the sway bar end link to front strut assembly. At the rear hub nut, the rear hub / axle nut torques to 280 Nm (203 ft-lb) (32mm drive, M24 x 1.5 thread). For the front wheel hub/axle, plan for a 32mm tool on a M24x1.5 stud; final torque is 148-192 ft-lbs (front hub/bearing nut). Front hub / axle nut tightens to 294 Nm (217 ft-lb), takes a 34mm driver, runs on M24 x 1.5 threads, located at the front axle/driveshaft nut at front hub. The front strut to knuckle bolts uses a 17mm bolt / 19mm nut drive on a M14 x 1.5 thread, torqued to 176.3 Nm (130 ft-lb) at the front strut lower bracket to steering knuckle (pinch bolts).

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 2018 Hyundai Elantra numbers above.

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