2016 Kia Soul Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2016 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 2016 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 2016 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 2016 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 2016 Kia Soul?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2016 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 2016 Kia Soul lug nuts?

The 2016 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 2016 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.

→ 2016 Kia Soul suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 15 2016 Kia Soul fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2016 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. 1 of the 15 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data (last reviewed June 2026).

Wheels — 2016 Kia Soul

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2016 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 — 2016 Kia Soul

Brake fasteners on the 2016 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 slide uses a 14mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 25 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 slide, plan for a 12mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 16 ft-lbs (rear slide).

Engine — 2016 Kia Soul

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2016 Kia Soul, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. The oil drain plug is a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm) at the oil pan. OEM-verified spec. At the cylinder head, the cylinder head torques to 22 ft-lbs + 90 + 90 deg (12mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). For the valve cover, plan for a 10mm tool on a M6x1.0 stud; final torque is 7 ft-lbs (valve cover). Intake tightens to 15 ft-lbs, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the intake manifold. The oil pan uses a 17mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 25 ft-lbs at the oil pan.

Suspension — 2016 Kia Soul

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2016 Kia Soul — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. At the strut top mount, the strut torques to 40 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M12x1.5 thread). For the ball joint, plan for a 17mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 44 ft-lbs (ball joint). Control arm tightens to 55 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the control arm. The sway bar uses a 14mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 37 ft-lbs at the sway bar link.

Transmission — 2016 Kia Soul

Transmission fasteners on the 2016 Kia Soul. For the transmission mount, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 40 ft-lbs (trans 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 2016 Kia Soul numbers above.

Loading the interactive 2016 Kia Soul fastener lookup with per-bolt filtering, part links, and torque tools…