2013 Nissan Altima Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2013 Nissan Altima lug nut torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm), tightened with a 21mm socket on M12x1.25 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 ft-lbs (108 Nm) · Socket size: 21mm · Thread: M12x1.25.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2013 Nissan Altima. 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.

Nissan lug-nut torque is 83 ft-lbs (113 Nm) for nearly every passenger model since 2000 with an M12x1.25 thread (note: tighter pitch than Toyota/Honda's M12x1.5 — the lugs do not cross-thread cleanly with neighboring makes). Socket size is 21mm. Titans and Armadas use a larger M14x1.5 thread at 133 ft-lbs.

Common fastener categories on the 2013 Nissan Altima

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 2013 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 2013 Nissan Altima?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2013 Nissan Altima is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm), using a 21mm socket on M12x1.25 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 2013 Nissan Altima lug nuts?

The 2013 Nissan Altima 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 2013 Nissan Altima 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 Nissan Altima years

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

→ 2013 Nissan Altima oil drain plug torque & size

→ 2013 Nissan Altima suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 19 2013 Nissan Altima fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2013 Nissan Altima, sourced from OEM service literature and verified against community shop data. Values pair imperial (ft-lb) and metric (Nm) where the manufacturer publishes both. 5 of the 19 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data (last reviewed June 2026).

Wheels — 2013 Nissan Altima

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2013 Nissan Altima. At the wheel hub, the wheel lug nut torques to 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) (Hex drive, M12x1.25 thread). OEM-verified spec. For the wheels, plan for a 21mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) (wheel lug nut (m12x1.25)). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature.

Brakes — 2013 Nissan Altima

Brake fasteners on the 2013 Nissan Altima — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. For the front brake caliper, plan for a 14mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 32-36 ft-lbs (brake caliper bolt (m10x1.25)). Brake caliper mounting bolt tightens to See manual, takes a Hex driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the front/rear brake caliper. The brake caliper pin bolt uses a Hex drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 16-23 ft-lbs at the brake caliper slide pin.

Engine — 2013 Nissan Altima

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2013 Nissan Altima, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. Oil pan bolt (10mm) tightens to 16-22 ft-lbs, takes a Hex driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the oil pan - upper. The valve cover bolt uses a Hex drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 7-9 ft-lbs (10 Nm) at the valve cover. At the oil pan, the oil drain plug torques to 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm) (Hex drive, M14x1.5 thread). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. For the oil pan, plan for a 14mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm) (oil drain plug (m14x1.5)). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data. Intake manifold bolt tightens to 18-22 ft-lbs (20 Nm), takes a Hex driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the intake manifold. The oil pan bolt (8mm) uses a Hex drive on a M8x1.25 thread, torqued to 6-8 ft-lbs (9 Nm) at the oil pan - lower. At the engine block, the oil filter torques to Hand tight (18 Nm) (Canister drive, M20x1.5 thread).

Suspension — 2013 Nissan Altima

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2013 Nissan Altima — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. The rear shock upper bolt uses a Hex drive on a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 50-65 ft-lbs at the rear shock mount. At the front suspension, the lower control arm bolt (m14x1.5) torques to 85-94 ft-lbs (19mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the strut to knuckle, plan for a Hex tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 100-110 ft-lbs (front strut lower bolt).

General — 2013 Nissan Altima

General fasteners on the 2013 Nissan Altima. At the cylinder head, the spark plug torques to 14-22 ft-lbs (20 Nm) (Hex drive, M14x1.25 thread). For the rear axle, plan for a Hex tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 70-85 ft-lbs (rear shock lower bolt).

Wheels & Tires — 2013 Nissan Altima

Wheels & Tires fasteners on the 2013 Nissan Altima. For the wheel hub, plan for a 21mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) (lug nut). This figure is independently verified against OEM service data.

Transmission — 2013 Nissan Altima

Transmission fasteners on the 2013 Nissan Altima. Transmission drain plug tightens to See manual, takes a Hex driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the transmission pan.

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 2013 Nissan Altima numbers above.

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