2018 Subaru Crosstrek Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2018 Subaru Crosstrek lug nut torque is 89 ft-lb (120 Nm), tightened with a 19mm 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: 89 ft-lb (120 Nm) · Socket size: 19mm · Thread: M12x1.25.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. 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.

Subaru lug-nut torque is 89 ft-lbs (120 Nm) on every modern model with an M12x1.25 thread and 19mm socket. Subaru is one of the only Japanese makes still using the smaller 19mm socket — bring it specifically. The boxer engine's drain plug is on the bottom of the block (not the pan) and uses an unusual 17mm head.

Common fastener categories on the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek

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 Subaru Crosstrek?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek is 89 ft-lb (120 Nm), using a 19mm 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 2018 Subaru Crosstrek lug nuts?

The 2018 Subaru Crosstrek uses a 19mm 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 Subaru Crosstrek 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 Subaru Crosstrek years

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

→ 2018 Subaru Crosstrek oil drain plug torque & size

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

All 31 2018 Subaru Crosstrek fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 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 Subaru Crosstrek

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. For the all corners, plan for a 19mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 89 ft-lb (120 Nm) (lug nut).

Brakes — 2018 Subaru Crosstrek

Brake fasteners on the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. Rear brake caliper bracket bolt tightens to 40 ft-lb (54 Nm), takes a 17mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the rear caliper bracket to rear knuckle. The front brake caliper bracket bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.5 thread, torqued to 89 ft-lb (120 Nm) at the front caliper bracket to steering knuckle. At the front caliper slide pins (top + bottom), the front caliper guide pin bolt torques to 20 ft-lb (27 Nm) (14mm drive, M9x1.25 thread). For the brake hose to caliper, plan for a 12mm tool on a M10x1.0 stud; final torque is 22 ft-lb (30 Nm) (brake hose banjo bolt). Rear caliper guide pin bolt tightens to 17 ft-lb (23 Nm), takes a 14mm driver, runs on M9x1.25 threads, located at the rear caliper slide pins.

Engine — 2018 Subaru Crosstrek

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. The engine mount bolt uses a 17mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 40 ft-lb (54 Nm) at the engine mount to subframe (both sides). At the oil pan, the oil drain plug torques to 33 ft-lb (17mm drive, M12x1.25 thread). For the oil filter housing / cooler to block, plan for a 12mm tool on a M8x1.25 stud; final torque is 30 ft-lb (40 Nm) (oil filter housing bolt). Intake manifold bolt tightens to 16 ft-lb (22 Nm), takes a 12mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the intake manifold to cylinder head. The cylinder head bolt uses a 14mm drive on a M11x1.5 thread, torqued to Multi-stage TTY: 22 ft-lb, then 51 ft-lb, then loosen 180°+180°, then 22 ft-lb, then 51 ft-lb, then +80° + sequence angles at the cylinder head (fb20 boxer, 6 bolts per head). At the valve covers (both banks, 6mm fastener), the valve cover bolt torques to 5.8 ft-lb (8 Nm) (10mm drive, M6x1.0 thread). For the crankshaft front (timing cover side), plan for a 22mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is Stage 1: 33 ft-lb, Stage 2: 94 ft-lb (127 Nm) (crankshaft pulley bolt). Spark plug tightens to 15 ft-lb (20 Nm), takes a 14mm driver, runs on M12x1.25 threads, located at the cylinder head spark plug well (4 plugs). The camshaft cap bolt uses a 10mm drive on a M6x1.0 thread, torqued to 7.2 ft-lb (10 Nm) at the cam carrier / camshaft caps.

Drivetrain — 2018 Subaru Crosstrek

Drivetrain and driveline fasteners for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek — axle, transmission, and differential plugs. At the rear differential housing fill, the rear differential fill plug torques to 36.9 ft-lb (50 Nm) (10mm hex drive, M18x1.5 thread). For the cvt fill/level plug on transmission case, plan for a 10mm hex tool on a M18x1.5 stud; final torque is 36.9 ft-lb (50 Nm) (cvt transmission fill plug). Cvt transmission drain plug tightens to 22.9 ft-lb (31 Nm), takes a 17mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the cvt transmission pan drain plug. The axle nut uses a 35mm drive on a M24x1.5 thread, torqued to 137 ft-lb at the front hub. At the rear differential housing drain, the rear differential drain plug torques to 36.2 ft-lb (49 Nm) (10mm hex drive, M18x1.5 thread).

Suspension — 2018 Subaru Crosstrek

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. For the front control arm front bushing to chassis, plan for a 17mm tool on a M12x1.25 stud; final torque is 81 ft-lb (110 Nm) (front lower control arm front bushing bolt). Front strut top hat nut tightens to 15 ft-lb (20 Nm), takes a 14mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the strut mount nuts on top of strut tower (3 nuts). The tie rod end nut uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 29 ft-lb + 60° (40 Nm + 60°) at the tie rod end to steering knuckle. At the strut shaft top center nut, the front strut center (upper) nut torques to 40 ft-lb (54 Nm) (19mm drive, M14x1.5 thread). For the front control arm rear bushing bracket to chassis, plan for a 21mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 111 ft-lb (150 Nm) (front lower control arm rear bushing bolt). Rear strut top hat nut tightens to 23 ft-lb (31 Nm), takes a 14mm driver, runs on M8x1.25 threads, located at the rear strut mount nuts on body. The ball joint pinch bolt uses a 14mm drive on a M10x1.25 thread, torqued to 37 ft-lb (50 Nm) at the ball joint to steering knuckle pinch. At the sway bar end link, top and bottom, the sway bar end link nut torques to 34 ft-lb (46 Nm) (14mm + T30 drive, M10x1.25 thread). For the rear strut to rear knuckle, plan for a 19mm tool on a M12x1.5 stud; final torque is 89 ft-lb (120 Nm) (rear lower strut bolt). Rear control arm bolt tightens to 89 ft-lb (120 Nm), takes a 19mm driver, runs on M12x1.5 threads, located at the rear lateral link to chassis and knuckle. The front strut-to-knuckle bolt uses a 19mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 116 ft-lb (157 Nm) at the strut lower mount to knuckle (2 bolts).

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 Subaru Crosstrek numbers above.

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