2018 Kia Stinger Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2018 Kia Stinger 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. The wheel bolt pattern is 5x114.3.

Lug nut torque: 87 ft-lbs · Socket size: 21mm · Thread: M12x1.5 · Bolt pattern: 5x114.3.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2018 Kia Stinger. 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 2018 Kia Stinger

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 2018 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 2018 Kia Stinger?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2018 Kia Stinger 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 2018 Kia Stinger lug nuts?

The 2018 Kia Stinger 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 2018 Kia Stinger 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 Stinger years

Same model, different model year — fastener spec may change. Always confirm against the year for your VIN.

→ 2018 Kia Stinger oil drain plug torque & size

→ 2018 Kia Stinger suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 43 2018 Kia Stinger fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2018 Kia Stinger, 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 — 2018 Kia Stinger

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2018 Kia Stinger. At the wheel hub, the wheel lug nut torques to 87 ft-lbs (21mm drive, M12x1.5 thread). For the all four wheels, plan for a 21mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 79-94 ft-lbs (87 ft-lbs target) (lug nut).

Brakes — 2018 Kia Stinger

Brake fasteners on the 2018 Kia Stinger — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. For the caliper bracket, plan for a 17mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 65 ft-lbs (rear caliper bracket bolt). Front caliper slide pin tightens to 26 ft-lbs, takes a 14mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the caliper slide. The front caliper bracket bolt uses a 19mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 87 ft-lbs at the caliper bracket. At the caliper slide, the rear caliper slide pin torques to 22 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M10x1.25 thread).

Engine — 2018 Kia Stinger

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2018 Kia Stinger, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. Intake manifold bolt tightens to 20 ft-lbs, takes a 12mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the intake manifold. The alternator mounting bolt uses a 14mm Hex drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 30-40 ft-lbs at the engine block. At the cylinder head, the cylinder head bolt torques to 23 ft-lbs step2 after 18 ft-lbs step1 (12mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). For the cylinder head, plan for a 16mm Hex tool on a M14x1.25 stud; final torque is 13-17 ft-lbs (spark plug). Oil pan drain plug tightens to 25-30 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the oil pan. The valve cover bolt uses a 10mm drive on a M6x1.0 thread, torqued to 7 ft-lbs at the valve cover. At the oil pan, the oil drain plug torques to 25-33 ft-lbs (17mm Hex drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the exhaust manifold, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 33 ft-lbs (exhaust manifold stud). Oil pan bolt tightens to 29 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the oil pan.

Drivetrain — 2018 Kia Stinger

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2018 Kia Stinger — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. The driveshaft center support bolt uses a 14mm Hex drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 30-40 ft-lbs at the center support bearing. At the subframe, the rear differential mount bolt torques to 94-108 ft-lbs (19mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the front hub, plan for a 32mm Hex tool on a M24x1.5 stud; final torque is 170-200 ft-lbs (axle nut front). Axle nut rear tightens to 170-200 ft-lbs, takes a 32mm Hex driver, runs on M24x1.5 threads, located at the rear hub.

Suspension — 2018 Kia Stinger

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2018 Kia Stinger — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. At the front subframe, the front lower control arm front bolt torques to 70-85 ft-lbs (17mm Hex drive, M12x1.25 thread). For the strut towers, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.5 stud; final torque is 32-36 ft-lbs (front strut bar bolt). Rear shock absorber lower bolt tightens to 85-100 ft-lbs, takes a 21mm Hex driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the rear knuckle. The stabilizer bar link nut front uses a 14mm Hex drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 25-35 ft-lbs at the sway bar end link. At the strut top mount, the strut top mount nut torques to 43 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M12x1.25 thread). For the control arm, plan for a 19mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 65 ft-lbs (front control arm bolt). Tie rod end nut tightens to 37 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.25 threads, located at the knuckle. The ball joint nut uses a 19mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 65 ft-lbs at the ball joint. At the sway bar link, the sway bar link nut torques to 37 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M10x1.25 thread). For the control arm, plan for a 19mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 65 ft-lbs (rear control arm bolt). Front strut top mount nut tightens to 30-40 ft-lbs, takes a 21mm Hex driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the strut tower. The front lower control arm rear bolt uses a 17mm Hex drive on a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 70-85 ft-lbs at the rear subframe mount. At the shock tower, the rear shock absorber upper nut torques to 35-45 ft-lbs (17mm Hex drive, M12x1.25 thread).

Steering — 2018 Kia Stinger

Steering linkage fasteners on the 2018 Kia Stinger. For the steering column, plan for a 24mm Hex tool on a M16x1.5 stud; final torque is 30-38 ft-lbs (steering wheel center bolt).

Body — 2018 Kia Stinger

Body fasteners on the 2018 Kia Stinger. Subframe rear bolt tightens to 95 ft-lbs, takes a 21mm driver, runs on M16x1.5 threads, located at the subframe. The hood hinge bolt uses a 12mm Hex drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 15-20 ft-lbs at the hood hinge. At the subframe, the subframe front bolt torques to 95 ft-lbs (21mm drive, M16x1.5 thread).

Transmission — 2018 Kia Stinger

Transmission fasteners on the 2018 Kia Stinger. The transmission mount bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 58 ft-lbs at the transmission mount. At the bell housing, the bell housing bolt torques to 58 ft-lbs (17mm drive, M12x1.5 thread).

Brake — 2018 Kia Stinger

Brake fasteners on the 2018 Kia Stinger. At the caliper bracket, the front brake caliper guide pin bolt torques to 22-30 ft-lbs (14mm Hex drive, M10x1.25 thread). For the caliper bracket, plan for a 14mm Hex tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 20-28 ft-lbs (rear brake caliper guide pin bolt). Front brake caliper bracket bolt tightens to 55-70 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm Hex driver, runs on M12x1.25 threads, located at the front knuckle. The rear brake caliper bracket bolt uses a 17mm Hex drive on a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 50-65 ft-lbs at the rear knuckle.

Wheel — 2018 Kia Stinger

Wheel fasteners on the 2018 Kia Stinger. For the wheel hub, plan for a 19mm Hex tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 80-90 ft-lbs (wheel lug nuts).

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 2018 Kia Stinger numbers above.

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