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Hyundai and Kia lug nut torque chart (Tucson, Elantra, Sportage)

Hyundai and Kia print wheel torque as a range, not a single number. The current Tucson, Elantra and Sportage are all 79-94 ft-lb (107-127 N·m, 11-13 kgf·m). Older models were 65-79 ft-lb (88-107 N·m): the Tucson to 2017, the Elantra to 2016 and the Sportage to 2016.

By the Torque Reference editors 4 sources cited Last reviewed Method
Contents5 sections

Key takeaways

  • Current Tucson, Elantra and Sportage: 79-94 ft-lb (107-127 N·m) ⁠1 ⁠2 ⁠3
  • Tucson to 2017, Elantra to 2016, Sportage to 2016: 65-79 ft-lb ⁠4
  • Any value inside the printed range is to spec
  • Metric threads: reinstall the same nuts that came off

Hyundai & Kia lug nut torque chart

VehicleLatest torqueLatest year checkedManual rows
Hyundai Tucson79-94 ft-lb107-127 N·m2025-20266
Hyundai Elantra79-94 ft-lb107-127 N·m2024-20264
Kia Sportage79-94 ft-lb107-127 N·m2023-20273

Latest value shown; older generations differ, so open the vehicle page for its year. Every value is quoted from the manufacturer’s owner’s manual.

How the models compare

All three moved from the lower range to the higher one, but in different years:

  • Hyundai Tucson: 65~79 lbf·ft (88~107 N·m) for the 2010–2015 LM and the 2016–2017 TL. Then 79~94 lbf·ft (107~127 N·m) from the 2018 TL through the 2025–2026 NX4 ⁠1. The change came in the middle of a generation.
  • Hyundai Elantra: 65~79 lbf·ft for the HD and MD (2010–2016 manuals) ⁠4. Then 79~94 lbf·ft from the 2017 AD, the same on the 2024–2026 CN7 ⁠2.
  • Kia Sportage: 65~79 lb·ft (9~11 kg·m) for the 2011–2016 SL, printed without N·m. Then 79~94 lb·ft (107~127 N·m) for the QL and the NQ5/NQ5A ⁠3.

The old upper limit, 79, is the new lower limit. A wrench left at a mid-range setting from an older car falls below the current range. On a current model, pick a setting inside 79-94.

The 2005–2009 Tucson is a special case. The only official manual we found is the UK edition, which prints 900-1,100 kg.cm (65-80 lb.ft) and no N·m.

What the manuals say

Both brands warn about metric threads, for example: “Your vehicle has metric threads on the studs and lug nuts. Make certain during tire changing that the same nuts that were removed are reinstalled.” Most manuals give no re-torque mileage, only a dealer check after a tire change. The 2019–2021 Tucson asks you to re-tighten after about 30 miles (50 km) and recheck after about 600 miles (1,000 km). The 5th-generation Sportage adds “Never use oil or grease on bolts or nuts because the nuts might come loose” ⁠3. None of these owner’s manuals give a US drain plug or caliper torque. For the tightening order see the lug nut tightening guide.

Sources

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4

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