2021 Nissan Altima Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2021 Nissan Altima lug nut torque is 72-87 ft-lbs (98-117 Nm), tightened with a Hex 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. The wheel bolt pattern is 5x114.3.

Lug nut torque: 72-87 ft-lbs (98-117 Nm) · Socket size: Hex · Thread: M12x1.25 · Bolt pattern: 5x114.3.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2021 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 2021 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 2021 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 2021 Nissan Altima?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2021 Nissan Altima is 72-87 ft-lbs (98-117 Nm), using a Hex 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 2021 Nissan Altima lug nuts?

The 2021 Nissan Altima uses a Hex 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 2021 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.

→ 2021 Nissan Altima oil drain plug torque & size

→ 2021 Nissan Altima suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 18 2021 Nissan Altima fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2021 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.

Wheels — 2021 Nissan Altima

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2021 Nissan Altima. The wheel lug nut (m12x1.25) uses a 21mm drive on a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 80 ft-lbs at the wheels. At the wheel hub, the wheel lug nut torques to 72-87 ft-lbs (98-117 Nm) (Hex drive, M12x1.25 thread).

Brakes — 2021 Nissan Altima

Brake fasteners on the 2021 Nissan Altima — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. At the front/rear brake caliper, the brake caliper mounting bolt torques to See manual (Hex drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the brake caliper slide pin, plan for a Hex tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 16-23 ft-lbs (brake caliper pin bolt). Brake caliper bolt (m10x1.25) tightens to 32-36 ft-lbs, takes a 14mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the front brake caliper.

Engine — 2021 Nissan Altima

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2021 Nissan Altima, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. For the valve cover, plan for a Hex tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 7-9 ft-lbs (10 Nm) (valve cover bolt). Oil pan bolt (8mm) tightens to 6-8 ft-lbs (9 Nm), takes a Hex driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the oil pan - lower. The oil filter uses a Canister drive on a M20x1.5 thread, torqued to Hand tight (18 Nm) at the engine block. At the oil pan, the oil drain plug (m14x1.5) torques to 25-32 ft-lbs (14mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the intake manifold, plan for a Hex tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 18-22 ft-lbs (20 Nm) (intake manifold bolt). Oil drain plug tightens to 22-29 ft-lbs (34 Nm), takes a Hex driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the oil pan. The oil pan bolt (10mm) uses a Hex drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 16-22 ft-lbs at the oil pan - upper.

Suspension — 2021 Nissan Altima

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2021 Nissan Altima — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. Front strut lower bolt tightens to 100-110 ft-lbs, takes a Hex driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the strut to knuckle. 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.

Transmission — 2021 Nissan Altima

Transmission fasteners on the 2021 Nissan Altima. The transmission drain plug uses a Hex drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to See manual at the transmission pan.

General — 2021 Nissan Altima

General fasteners on the 2021 Nissan Altima. At the rear axle, the rear shock lower bolt torques to 70-85 ft-lbs (Hex drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the cylinder head, plan for a Hex tool on a M14x1.25 stud; final torque is 14-22 ft-lbs (20 Nm) (spark plug).

Wheels & Tires — 2021 Nissan Altima

Wheels & Tires fasteners on the 2021 Nissan Altima. For the wheel hub, plan for a 21mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 80 ft-lb (108 Nm) (lug nut).

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 2021 Nissan Altima numbers above.

Loading the interactive 2021 Nissan Altima fastener lookup with per-bolt filtering, part links, and torque tools…