2013 Kia Sorento Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2013 Kia Sorento lug nut torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 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.

Lug nut torque: 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) · Thread: M12x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2013 Kia Sorento. 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 2013 Kia Sorento

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 2013 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 2013 Kia Sorento?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2013 Kia Sorento is 80 ft-lbs (108 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 2013 Kia Sorento lug nuts?

Most modern Kia vehicles use a 19mm or 21mm socket. Older Kia 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 2013 Kia Sorento 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 Sorento years

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

→ 2013 Kia Sorento suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 37 2013 Kia Sorento fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2013 Kia Sorento, sourced from OEM service literature and verified against community shop data. Values pair imperial (ft-lb) and metric (Nm) where the manufacturer publishes both. 3 of the 37 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data.

Wheels — 2013 Kia Sorento

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2013 Kia Sorento. The lug nut uses a 21mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 87 ft-lbs at the wheel hub.

Brakes — 2013 Kia Sorento

Brake fasteners on the 2013 Kia Sorento — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. At the caliper slide, the front slide torques to 25 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). For the caliper bracket, plan for a 17mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 65 ft-lbs (front bracket). Front brake caliper slide pin tightens to 22 ft-lb, takes a 12mm hex driver, runs on M10 threads, located at the front caliper. This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. The rear bracket uses a 14mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 41 ft-lbs at the caliper bracket.

Engine — 2013 Kia Sorento

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2013 Kia Sorento, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. plan for the right driver on a M14x1.25 stud; final torque is 13-17 ft-lbs (spark plug). Oil drain plug tightens to 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm), runs on M14x1.5 threads. The valve cover uses a 10mm drive on a M6x1.0 thread, torqued to 8 ft-lbs at the valve cover. At the oil pan, the oil pan torques to 29 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the cylinder head, plan for a 12mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 18 ft-lbs + 90 deg angle (cylinder head). Valve cover bolt tightens to 7-10 ft-lbs, runs on M6x1.0 threads. The alternator mounting bolt is a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 30-40 ft-lbs. At the intake manifold, the intake torques to 18 ft-lbs (12mm drive, M8x1.25 thread).

Drivetrain — 2013 Kia Sorento

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2013 Kia Sorento — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. Axle nut rear tightens to 170-200 ft-lbs, runs on M24x1.5 threads. The front axle hub nut uses a 32mm hex drive on a M24 thread, torqued to 214 ft-lb at the front hub. The axle nut front torques to 170-200 ft-lbs (M24x1.5 thread). plan for the right driver on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 55-70 ft-lbs (transmission mount bolt).

Suspension — 2013 Kia Sorento

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2013 Kia Sorento — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. The ball joint uses a 19mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 59 ft-lbs at the ball joint. At the strut top mount, the strut torques to 43 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M12x1.5 thread). plan for the right driver on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 35-45 ft-lbs (rear shock absorber upper nut). Stabilizer bar link nut front tightens to 25-35 ft-lbs, runs on M10x1.25 threads. The front lower control arm rear bolt is a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 70-85 ft-lbs. At the control arm, the control arm torques to 59 ft-lbs (19mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). plan for the right driver on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 85-100 ft-lbs (rear shock absorber lower bolt). Sway bar tightens to 37 ft-lbs, takes a 14mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the sway bar link. The front lower control arm front bolt is a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 70-85 ft-lbs. The front strut top mount nut torques to 30-40 ft-lbs (M14x1.5 thread).

Steering — 2013 Kia Sorento

Steering linkage fasteners on the 2013 Kia Sorento. The power steering pump bolt torques to 22-30 ft-lbs (M10x1.25 thread). plan for the right driver on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 25-33 ft-lbs (tie rod end nut). Steering wheel center bolt tightens to 30-38 ft-lbs, runs on M16x1.5 threads.

Body — 2013 Kia Sorento

Body fasteners on the 2013 Kia Sorento. plan for the right driver on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 15-20 ft-lbs (hood hinge bolt).

Brake — 2013 Kia Sorento

Brake fasteners on the 2013 Kia Sorento. Rear brake caliper bracket bolt tightens to 50-65 ft-lbs, runs on M12x1.25 threads. The front brake caliper bracket bolt is a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 55-70 ft-lbs. The rear brake caliper guide pin bolt torques to 20-28 ft-lbs (M10x1.25 thread). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. plan for the right driver on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 22-30 ft-lbs (front brake caliper guide pin bolt). OEM-verified spec.

Wheel — 2013 Kia Sorento

Wheel fasteners on the 2013 Kia Sorento. The wheel lug nuts is a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm).

Transmission — 2013 Kia Sorento

Transmission fasteners on the 2013 Kia Sorento. 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 2013 Kia Sorento numbers above.

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