2020 Kia Carnival Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2020 Kia Carnival lug nut torque is 87 ft-lbs, 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: 87 ft-lbs · Socket size: 21mm · Thread: M12x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2020 Kia Carnival. 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 2020 Kia Carnival

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 2020 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 2020 Kia Carnival?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2020 Kia Carnival is 87 ft-lbs, 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 2020 Kia Carnival lug nuts?

The 2020 Kia Carnival 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 2020 Kia Carnival 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 Kia Carnival years

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

→ 2020 Kia Carnival oil drain plug torque & size

→ 2020 Kia Carnival suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 36 2020 Kia Carnival fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2020 Kia Carnival, 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 — 2020 Kia Carnival

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2020 Kia Carnival. The lug nut uses a 21mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 87 ft-lbs at the wheel hub.

Brakes — 2020 Kia Carnival

Brake fasteners on the 2020 Kia Carnival — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. At the caliper slide, the front slide pin torques to 22 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). For the caliper slide, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 20 ft-lbs (rear slide pin). Front caliper bracket bolt tightens to 73 ft-lbs, takes a 19mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the caliper bracket. The rear caliper bracket uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 58 ft-lbs at the caliper bracket.

Engine — 2020 Kia Carnival

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2020 Kia Carnival, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. plan for the right driver on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 25-33 ft-lbs (oil drain plug). Intake manifold tightens to 18 ft-lbs, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the intake manifold. The spark plug is a M14x1.25 thread, torqued to 13-17 ft-lbs. At the oil pan, the oil pan drain plug torques to 29 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the valve cover, plan for a 10mm tool on a M6x1.0 stud; final torque is 7 ft-lbs (valve cover). Exhaust manifold tightens to 33 ft-lbs, takes a 14mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the exhaust manifold. The alternator mounting bolt is a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 30-40 ft-lbs. The valve cover bolt torques to 7-10 ft-lbs (M6x1.0 thread).

Drivetrain — 2020 Kia Carnival

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2020 Kia Carnival — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. Transmission mount bolt tightens to 55-70 ft-lbs, runs on M12x1.25 threads. The axle nut rear is a M24x1.5 thread, torqued to 170-200 ft-lbs. The axle nut front torques to 170-200 ft-lbs (M24x1.5 thread).

Suspension — 2020 Kia Carnival

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2020 Kia Carnival — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. The front lower control arm rear bolt is a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 70-85 ft-lbs. At the sway bar link, the sway bar link torques to 37 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). plan for the right driver on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 70-85 ft-lbs (front lower control arm front bolt). Control arm tightens to 59 ft-lbs, takes a 19mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the control arm. The front strut mount uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 40 ft-lbs at the strut top mount. The front strut top mount nut torques to 30-40 ft-lbs (M14x1.5 thread). plan for the right driver on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 35-45 ft-lbs (rear shock absorber upper nut). Ball joint tightens to 59 ft-lbs, takes a 19mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the ball joint. The stabilizer bar link nut front is a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 25-35 ft-lbs. The rear shock absorber lower bolt torques to 85-100 ft-lbs (M14x1.5 thread).

Steering — 2020 Kia Carnival

Steering linkage fasteners on the 2020 Kia Carnival. The steering wheel center bolt torques to 30-38 ft-lbs (M16x1.5 thread). plan for the right driver on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 25-33 ft-lbs (tie rod end nut). Power steering pump bolt tightens to 22-30 ft-lbs, runs on M10x1.25 threads.

Body — 2020 Kia Carnival

Body fasteners on the 2020 Kia Carnival. plan for the right driver on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 15-20 ft-lbs (hood hinge bolt).

Brake — 2020 Kia Carnival

Brake fasteners on the 2020 Kia Carnival. Rear brake caliper bracket bolt tightens to 50-65 ft-lbs, runs on M12x1.25 threads. The front brake caliper guide pin bolt is a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 22-30 ft-lbs. The rear brake caliper guide pin bolt torques to 20-28 ft-lbs (M10x1.25 thread). plan for the right driver on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 55-70 ft-lbs (front brake caliper bracket bolt).

Wheel — 2020 Kia Carnival

Wheel fasteners on the 2020 Kia Carnival. The wheel lug nuts is a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 80-90 ft-lbs.

Transmission — 2020 Kia Carnival

Transmission fasteners on the 2020 Kia Carnival. At the transmission mount, the trans mount torques to 58 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M12x1.5 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 2020 Kia Carnival numbers above.

Loading the interactive 2020 Kia Carnival fastener lookup with per-bolt filtering, part links, and torque tools…