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)

→ 2013 Kia Sorento axle nut torque spec (CV axle & hub nut)

→ 2013 Kia Sorento brake job torque specs (caliper, bracket & slide pins)

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.

Brakes — 2013 Kia Sorento

Brake fasteners on the 2013 Kia Sorento — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. The front bracket uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 65 ft-lbs at the caliper bracket. At the front knuckle, the front brake caliper bracket bolt torques to 65 ft-lb (14mm hex drive, M12 thread). For the caliper slide, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 25 ft-lbs (front slide). Rear bracket tightens to 41 ft-lbs, takes a 14mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the caliper bracket. The front brake caliper slide pin uses a 12mm hex drive on a M10 thread, torqued to 22 ft-lb at the front caliper. OEM-verified spec.

Engine — 2013 Kia Sorento

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2013 Kia Sorento, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. At the intake manifold, the intake torques to 18 ft-lbs (12mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). For the oil pan, plan for a 17mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 29 ft-lbs (oil pan). Valve cover tightens to 8 ft-lbs, takes a 10mm driver, runs on M6x1.0 threads, located at the valve cover. The valve cover bolt is a M6x1.0 thread, torqued to 7-10 ft-lbs. The spark plug torques to 18 ft-lbs (24 Nm) (M14x1.25 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). Alternator mounting bolt tightens to 30-40 ft-lbs, runs on M10x1.25 threads. The oil drain plug uses a 17mm hex drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm) at the engine oil pan.

Drivetrain — 2013 Kia Sorento

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

Suspension — 2013 Kia Sorento

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

Steering — 2013 Kia Sorento

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

Body — 2013 Kia Sorento

Body fasteners on the 2013 Kia Sorento. The hood hinge bolt torques to 15-20 ft-lbs (M8x1.25 thread).

Wheel — 2013 Kia Sorento

Wheel fasteners on the 2013 Kia Sorento. plan for the right driver on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) (wheel lug nuts).

Brake — 2013 Kia Sorento

Brake fasteners on the 2013 Kia Sorento. Front brake caliper guide pin bolt tightens to 22-30 ft-lbs, runs on M10x1.25 threads. OEM-verified spec. The rear brake caliper guide pin bolt is a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 20-28 ft-lbs. Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. The rear brake caliper bracket bolt torques to 50-65 ft-lbs (M12x1.25 thread).

Wheel Hardware — 2013 Kia Sorento

Wheel Hardware fasteners on the 2013 Kia Sorento. The lug nut uses a 21mm hex drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) at the all wheels.

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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