2023 Kia Soul Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2023 Kia Soul lug nut torque is 80-90 ft-lbs 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 · 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 80-90 ft-lbs 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?

Most modern Kia vehicles use a 19mm or 21mm socket. Older Kia models from before 2000 may use a 13/16" SAE socket on certain trims. Confirm against the actual lug before purchasing aftermarket wheels.

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)

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.

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 bracket tightens to 67 ft-lbs, takes a 14mm driver, runs on M12x1.25 threads, located at the caliper bracket. The rear slide uses a 12mm drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 16 ft-lbs at the caliper slide. At the caliper slide, the front slide torques to 25 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M10x1.25 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 oil drain plug is a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 25-33 ft-lbs. The spark plug torques to 13-17 ft-lbs (M14x1.25 thread). For the intake manifold, plan for a 12mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 15 ft-lbs (intake). Alternator mounting bolt tightens to 30-40 ft-lbs, runs on M10x1.25 threads. The valve cover uses a 10mm drive on a M6x1.0 thread, torqued to 7 ft-lbs at the valve cover. 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). Cylinder head tightens to 22 ft-lbs + 90 + 90 deg, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the cylinder head.

Drivetrain — 2023 Kia Soul

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2023 Kia Soul — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. The axle nut front torques to 170-200 ft-lbs (M24x1.5 thread). 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.

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

Steering — 2023 Kia Soul

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

Transmission — 2023 Kia Soul

Transmission fasteners on the 2023 Kia Soul. At the transmission mount, the trans mount torques to 40 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M10x1.25 thread).

Brake — 2023 Kia Soul

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

Wheel — 2023 Kia Soul

Wheel fasteners on the 2023 Kia Soul. Wheel lug nuts tightens to 80-90 ft-lbs, runs on M12x1.5 threads.

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…