2011 Kia Soul Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2011 Kia Soul 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 2011 Kia Soul. 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 2011 Kia Soul

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 2011 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 2011 Kia Soul?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2011 Kia Soul 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 2011 Kia Soul lug nuts?

The 2011 Kia Soul 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 2011 Kia Soul 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 Soul years

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

→ 2011 Kia Soul oil drain plug torque & size

→ 2011 Kia Soul suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 36 2011 Kia Soul fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2011 Kia Soul, 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 — 2011 Kia Soul

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2011 Kia Soul. Lug nut tightens to 87 ft-lbs, takes a 21mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the wheel hub.

Brakes — 2011 Kia Soul

Brake fasteners on the 2011 Kia Soul — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. The rear slide uses a 12mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 16 ft-lbs at the caliper slide. At the caliper bracket, the front bracket torques to 87 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the caliper bracket, plan for a 14mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 67 ft-lbs (rear bracket). Front slide tightens to 25 ft-lbs, takes a 14mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the caliper slide.

Engine — 2011 Kia Soul

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2011 Kia Soul, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. At the oil pan, the oil pan torques to 25 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the cylinder head, plan for a 12mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 22 ft-lbs + 90 + 90 deg (cylinder head). Alternator mounting bolt tightens to 30-40 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the engine. The spark plug uses a 22mm drive on a M14x1.25 thread, torqued to 13-17 ft-lbs at the engine. At the valve cover, the valve cover torques to 7 ft-lbs (10mm drive, M6x1.0 thread). For the engine, plan for a 10mm tool on a M6x1.0 stud; final torque is 7-10 ft-lbs (valve cover bolt). Intake tightens to 15 ft-lbs, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the intake manifold. The oil drain plug uses a 22mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 25-33 ft-lbs at the engine / oil pan.

Drivetrain — 2011 Kia Soul

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2011 Kia Soul — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. For the rear axle, plan for a TBD tool on a M24x1.5 stud; final torque is 170-200 ft-lbs (axle nut rear). Axle nut front tightens to 170-200 ft-lbs, takes a TBD driver, runs on M24x1.5 threads, located at the front axle. The transmission mount bolt uses a 19mm drive on a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 55-70 ft-lbs at the drivetrain.

Suspension — 2011 Kia Soul

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2011 Kia Soul — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. Ball joint tightens to 44 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the ball joint. The rear shock absorber lower bolt uses a 22mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 85-100 ft-lbs at the rear suspension. At the front suspension, the front lower control arm front bolt torques to 70-85 ft-lbs (19mm drive, M12x1.25 thread). For the front suspension, plan for a 17mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 25-35 ft-lbs (stabilizer bar link nut front). Control arm tightens to 55 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the control arm. The strut uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 40 ft-lbs at the strut top mount. At the front suspension, the front strut top mount nut torques to 30-40 ft-lbs (22mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the rear suspension, plan for a 19mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 35-45 ft-lbs (rear shock absorber upper nut). Front lower control arm rear bolt tightens to 70-85 ft-lbs, takes a 19mm driver, runs on M12x1.25 threads, located at the front suspension. The sway bar uses a 14mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 37 ft-lbs at the sway bar link.

Steering — 2011 Kia Soul

Steering linkage fasteners on the 2011 Kia Soul. The steering wheel center bolt uses a 24mm drive on a M16x1.5 thread, torqued to 30-38 ft-lbs at the steering. At the steering, the tie rod end nut torques to 25-33 ft-lbs (19mm drive, M12x1.25 thread). For the engine, plan for a 17mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 22-30 ft-lbs (power steering pump bolt).

Body — 2011 Kia Soul

Body fasteners on the 2011 Kia Soul. At the body / hood, the hood hinge bolt torques to 15-20 ft-lbs (13mm drive, M8x1.25 thread).

Transmission — 2011 Kia Soul

Transmission fasteners on the 2011 Kia Soul. For the transmission mount, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 40 ft-lbs (trans mount).

Brake — 2011 Kia Soul

Brake fasteners on the 2011 Kia Soul. Front brake caliper bracket bolt tightens to 55-70 ft-lbs, takes a 19mm driver, runs on M12x1.25 threads, located at the front brake. The rear brake caliper guide pin bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 20-28 ft-lbs at the rear brake. At the front brake, the front brake caliper guide pin bolt torques to 22-30 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). For the rear brake, plan for a 19mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 50-65 ft-lbs (rear brake caliper bracket bolt).

Wheel — 2011 Kia Soul

Wheel fasteners on the 2011 Kia Soul. The wheel lug nuts uses a 19mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 80-90 ft-lbs at the wheel.

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 2011 Kia Soul numbers above.

Loading the interactive 2011 Kia Soul fastener lookup with per-bolt filtering, part links, and torque tools…