2012 Kia Soul Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2012 Kia Soul lug nut torque is 80-90 ft-lbs, tightened with a 19mm 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: 80-90 ft-lbs · Socket size: 19mm · Thread: M12x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2012 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 2012 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 2012 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 2012 Kia Soul?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2012 Kia Soul is 80-90 ft-lbs, using a 19mm 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 2012 Kia Soul lug nuts?

The 2012 Kia Soul uses a 19mm 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 2012 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.

→ 2012 Kia Soul oil drain plug torque & size

→ 2012 Kia Soul suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 36 2012 Kia Soul fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2012 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 — 2012 Kia Soul

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2012 Kia Soul. For the wheel hub, plan for a 21mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 87 ft-lbs (lug nut).

Brakes — 2012 Kia Soul

Brake fasteners on the 2012 Kia Soul — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. Rear bracket tightens to 67 ft-lbs, takes a 14mm driver, runs on M12x1.25 threads, located at the caliper bracket. The front bracket uses a 17mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 87 ft-lbs at the caliper bracket. At the caliper slide, the front slide torques to 25 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). For the caliper slide, plan for a 12mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 16 ft-lbs (rear slide).

Engine — 2012 Kia Soul

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2012 Kia Soul, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. The oil drain plug uses a 22mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 25-33 ft-lbs at the engine / oil pan. At the intake manifold, the intake torques to 15 ft-lbs (12mm drive, M8x1.25 thread). For the engine, plan for a 10mm tool on a M6x1.0 stud; final torque is 7-10 ft-lbs (valve cover bolt). Cylinder head tightens to 22 ft-lbs + 90 + 90 deg, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the cylinder head. The alternator mounting bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 30-40 ft-lbs at the engine. At the oil pan, the oil pan torques to 25 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). Spark plug tightens to 13-17 ft-lbs, takes a 22mm driver, runs on M14x1.25 threads, located at the engine.

Drivetrain — 2012 Kia Soul

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2012 Kia Soul — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. At the front axle, the axle nut front torques to 170-200 ft-lbs (TBD drive, M24x1.5 thread). For the drivetrain, plan for a 19mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 55-70 ft-lbs (transmission mount bolt). Axle nut rear tightens to 170-200 ft-lbs, takes a TBD driver, runs on M24x1.5 threads, located at the rear axle.

Suspension — 2012 Kia Soul

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2012 Kia Soul — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. For the control arm, plan for a 17mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 55 ft-lbs (control arm). 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 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 sway bar link, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 37 ft-lbs (sway bar). Ball joint tightens to 44 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the ball joint. The stabilizer bar link nut front uses a 17mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 25-35 ft-lbs at the front suspension. At the front suspension, the front strut top mount nut torques to 30-40 ft-lbs (22mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the strut top mount, plan for a 17mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 40 ft-lbs (strut). Rear shock absorber upper nut tightens to 35-45 ft-lbs, takes a 19mm driver, runs on M12x1.25 threads, located at the rear suspension.

Steering — 2012 Kia Soul

Steering linkage fasteners on the 2012 Kia Soul. Tie rod end nut tightens to 25-33 ft-lbs, takes a 19mm driver, runs on M12x1.25 threads, located at the steering. The power steering pump bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 22-30 ft-lbs at the engine. At the steering, the steering wheel center bolt torques to 30-38 ft-lbs (24mm drive, M16x1.5 thread).

Body — 2012 Kia Soul

Body fasteners on the 2012 Kia Soul. The hood hinge bolt uses a 13mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 15-20 ft-lbs at the body / hood.

Brake — 2012 Kia Soul

Brake fasteners on the 2012 Kia Soul. 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). 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.

Wheel — 2012 Kia Soul

Wheel fasteners on the 2012 Kia Soul. For the wheel, plan for a 19mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 80-90 ft-lbs (wheel lug nuts).

Transmission — 2012 Kia Soul

Transmission fasteners on the 2012 Kia Soul. Trans mount tightens to 40 ft-lbs, takes a 14mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the transmission mount.

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 2012 Kia Soul numbers above.

Loading the interactive 2012 Kia Soul fastener lookup with per-bolt filtering, part links, and torque tools…