2020 Kia Soul Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2020 Kia Soul lug nut torque is 87 ft-lbs (118 Nm), 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 (118 Nm) · Socket size: 21mm · Thread: M12x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2020 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 2020 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 2020 late-model work: Modern vehicles increasingly use aluminum body and suspension components. Aluminum fastener torque is typically 60-70% of equivalent steel torque, and aluminum threads strip easily. Use a calibrated torque wrench and apply anti-seize on any steel fastener threading into aluminum.

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 2020 Kia Soul?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2020 Kia Soul is 87 ft-lbs (118 Nm), 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 2020 Kia Soul lug nuts?

The 2020 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 2020 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.

→ 2020 Kia Soul oil drain plug torque & size

→ 2020 Kia Soul suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 36 2020 Kia Soul fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2020 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. 6 of the 36 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data (last reviewed June 2026).

Wheels — 2020 Kia Soul

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2020 Kia Soul. Lug nut tightens to 87 ft-lbs (118 Nm), takes a 21mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the wheel hub. This figure is independently verified against OEM service data.

Brakes — 2020 Kia Soul

Brake fasteners on the 2020 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 rear bracket torques to 67 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M12x1.25 thread). For the caliper bracket, plan for a 17mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 87 ft-lbs (front bracket). Front slide tightens to 25 ft-lbs, takes a 14mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the caliper slide.

Engine — 2020 Kia Soul

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2020 Kia Soul, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. The valve cover bolt torques to 7-10 ft-lbs (M6x1.0 thread). For the oil pan, plan for a 17mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 25 ft-lbs (oil pan). Oil drain plug tightens to 26 ft-lbs (35 Nm), runs on M14x1.5 threads. OEM-verified spec. The spark plug is a M14x1.25 thread, torqued to 17 ft-lbs (23 Nm). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. At the valve cover, the valve cover torques to 7 ft-lbs (10mm drive, M6x1.0 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). Intake tightens to 15 ft-lbs, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the intake manifold. The alternator mounting bolt is a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 30-40 ft-lbs.

Drivetrain — 2020 Kia Soul

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2020 Kia Soul — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. plan for the right driver on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 55-70 ft-lbs (transmission mount bolt). Axle nut rear tightens to 170-200 ft-lbs, runs on M24x1.5 threads. The axle nut front is a M24x1.5 thread, torqued to 170-200 ft-lbs.

Suspension — 2020 Kia Soul

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2020 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 strut uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 40 ft-lbs at the strut top mount. The stabilizer bar link nut front torques to 25-35 ft-lbs (M10x1.25 thread). plan for the right driver on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 70-85 ft-lbs (front lower control arm rear bolt). Front lower control arm front bolt tightens to 70-85 ft-lbs, runs on M12x1.25 threads. The control arm uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 55 ft-lbs at the control arm. The front strut top mount nut torques to 30-40 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). Rear shock absorber upper nut tightens to 35-45 ft-lbs, runs on M12x1.25 threads. The rear shock absorber lower bolt is a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 85-100 ft-lbs.

Steering — 2020 Kia Soul

Steering linkage fasteners on the 2020 Kia Soul. The steering wheel center bolt is a M16x1.5 thread, torqued to 30-38 ft-lbs. 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).

Body — 2020 Kia Soul

Body fasteners on the 2020 Kia Soul. The hood hinge bolt torques to 15-20 ft-lbs (M8x1.25 thread).

Transmission — 2020 Kia Soul

Transmission fasteners on the 2020 Kia Soul. For the transmission mount, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 40 ft-lbs (trans mount).

Wheel — 2020 Kia Soul

Wheel fasteners on the 2020 Kia Soul. Wheel lug nuts tightens to 87 ft-lbs (118 Nm), runs on M12x1.5 threads. Confirmed against manufacturer service literature.

Brake — 2020 Kia Soul

Brake fasteners on the 2020 Kia Soul. The front brake caliper bracket bolt is a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 63 ft-lbs (85 Nm). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. The rear brake caliper guide pin bolt torques to 20-28 ft-lbs (M10x1.25 thread). plan for the right driver on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 50-65 ft-lbs (rear brake caliper bracket bolt). Front brake caliper guide pin bolt tightens to 26 ft-lbs (35 Nm), runs on M10x1.25 threads. This figure is independently verified against OEM service data.

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 2020 Kia Soul numbers above.

Loading the interactive 2020 Kia Soul fastener lookup with per-bolt filtering, part links, and torque tools…