2023 Kia Soul Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 Kia Soul?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2023 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 2023 Kia Soul lug nuts?

The 2023 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 2023 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.

→ 2023 Kia Soul lug nut torque: step-by-step & re-torque guide

→ 2023 Kia Soul suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

→ 2023 Kia Soul axle nut torque spec (CV axle & hub nut)

All 36 2023 Kia Soul fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2023 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. 2 of the 36 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data.

Wheels — 2023 Kia Soul

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2023 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 — 2023 Kia Soul

Brake fasteners on the 2023 Kia Soul — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. Rear slide tightens to 16 ft-lbs, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the caliper slide. 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 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).

Engine — 2023 Kia Soul

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2023 Kia Soul, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. The cylinder head uses a 12mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 22 ft-lbs + 90 + 90 deg at the cylinder head. The valve cover bolt torques to 7-10 ft-lbs (M6x1.0 thread). For the valve cover, plan for a 10mm tool on a M6x1.0 stud; final torque is 7 ft-lbs (valve cover). Oil drain plug tightens to 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm), runs on M14x1.5 threads. The intake uses a 12mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 15 ft-lbs at the intake manifold. The spark plug torques to 13-17 ft-lbs (M14x1.25 thread). plan for the right driver on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 30-40 ft-lbs (alternator mounting bolt). Oil pan tightens to 25 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the oil pan.

Drivetrain — 2023 Kia Soul

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2023 Kia Soul — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. The transmission mount bolt torques to 55-70 ft-lbs (M12x1.25 thread). plan for the right driver on a M24x1.5 stud; final torque is 170-200 ft-lbs (axle nut front). Axle nut rear tightens to 170-200 ft-lbs, runs on M24x1.5 threads.

Suspension — 2023 Kia Soul

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2023 Kia Soul — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. plan for the right driver on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 70-85 ft-lbs (front lower control arm front bolt). Stabilizer bar link nut front tightens to 25-35 ft-lbs, runs on M10x1.25 threads. The front lower control arm rear bolt is a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 70-85 ft-lbs. The rear shock absorber upper nut torques to 35-45 ft-lbs (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). Control arm tightens to 55 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the control arm. The ball joint uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 44 ft-lbs at the ball joint. At the strut top mount, the strut torques to 40 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M12x1.5 thread). plan for the right driver on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 30-40 ft-lbs (front strut top mount nut). Rear shock absorber lower bolt tightens to 85-100 ft-lbs, runs on M14x1.5 threads.

Steering — 2023 Kia Soul

Steering linkage fasteners on the 2023 Kia Soul. Power steering pump bolt tightens to 22-30 ft-lbs, runs on M10x1.25 threads. The steering wheel center bolt is a M16x1.5 thread, torqued to 30-38 ft-lbs. The tie rod end nut torques to 25-33 ft-lbs (M12x1.25 thread).

Body — 2023 Kia Soul

Body fasteners on the 2023 Kia Soul. The hood hinge bolt is a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 15-20 ft-lbs.

Brake — 2023 Kia Soul

Brake fasteners on the 2023 Kia Soul. The front brake caliper guide pin bolt torques to 22-30 ft-lbs (M10x1.25 thread). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. plan for the right driver on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 20-28 ft-lbs (rear brake caliper guide pin bolt). OEM-verified spec. Front brake caliper bracket bolt tightens to 55-70 ft-lbs, runs on M12x1.25 threads. The rear brake caliper bracket bolt is a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 50-65 ft-lbs.

Wheel — 2023 Kia Soul

Wheel fasteners on the 2023 Kia Soul. plan for the right driver on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) (wheel lug nuts).

Transmission — 2023 Kia Soul

Transmission fasteners on the 2023 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 2023 Kia Soul numbers above.

Loading the interactive 2023 Kia Soul fastener lookup with per-bolt filtering, part links, and torque tools…