Subaru Forester lug nut torque by year
Foresters from 2014 on are 89 ft-lb (120 N·m, 12 kgf·m). That covers the SJ, the SK, the 2025–2026 SL, the Wilderness and the Hybrid. The 3rd-generation SH is lower: 72 ft-lb (100 N·m) in the 2011–2013 manuals and a range of 58 to 72 ft-lb (80 to 100 N·m) in 2010.
Contents7 sections
Key takeaways
Subaru Forester lug nut torque by year
| Model years | Variant | Torque | Stud | Owner’s manual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20103rd gen (SH) | all (2010 printing) | 58 to 72 ft-lb80 to 100 N·m | – | Page Joomag p.283 / printed 9-8 'Changing a flat tire'“The torque for tightening the nuts is 58 to 72 lbf·ft (80 to 100 N·m, 8 to 10 kgf·m).” |
| 2011-20133rd gen (SH) | all | 72 ft-lb100 N·m | – | Page Joomag p.410 'Tires' table“Wheel nut tightening torque ... 72 lbf·ft (100 N·m, 10 kgf·m)*” |
| 2011-20133rd gen (SH) | all | 72 ft-lb100 N·m | – | Page Joomag p.401 'Tires' table“Wheel nut tightening torque ... 72 lbf·ft (100 N·m, 10 kgf·m)*1, *2” |
| 2014-20184th gen (SJ) | all incl. turbo | 89 ft-lb120 N·m | – | Page Joomag p.957 / printed 12-9 'Tires' table“Wheel nut tightening torque ... 89 lbf·ft (120 N·m, 12 kgf·m)*” |
| 2014-20184th gen (SJ) | all incl. turbo | 89 ft-lb120 N·m | – | Page Joomag p.593 / printed 12-10 'Tires' table“Wheel nut tightening torque 1 89 lbf·ft (120 N·m, 12 kgf·m)*” |
| 2019-20245th gen (SK) | all | 89 ft-lb120 N·m | – | Page Joomag p.500 'Tires' table“Wheel nut tightening torque 89 lbf·ft (120 N·m, 12 kgf·m)* 1” |
| 2019-20255th gen (SK) / 2025 6th gen (SL) and Wilderness | all incl. Wilderness | 89 ft-lb120 N·m | – | Page Joomag p.538 'TIRES' table“Wheel nut tightening torque ... 89 lbf · ft( 120 N · m, 12 kgf · m)* 1” |
| 20266th gen (SL) | gas and Hybrid | 89 ft-lb120 N·m | – | Page Joomag p.555 'TIRES' table“Wheel nut tightening torque ... 89 lbf · ft( 120 N · m, 12 kgf · m)* 1” |
Values as printed in the manufacturer’s owner’s manual for the year shown, not converted. Years between two checked manuals of the same generation are assumed to share the value. Open a row to read the exact wording.
What the owner’s manual says
- Re-check: When any of the wheels are removed and replaced for tire rotation or to change a flat tire, always check the tightness of the wheel nuts after driving approximately 600 miles (1,000 km). If any nut is loose, tighten it to the specified torque.
- Threads: Never apply oil to the threaded parts, wheel nuts, or tapered surface of the wheel. / Do not use oil or grease on the wheel studs or nuts when the spare tire is installed.
What changed between generations
The Forester is the Subaru where the year matters:
- SH, 2010: “The torque for tightening the nuts is 58 to 72 lbf·ft (80 to 100 N·m, 8 to 10 kgf·m)” 5.
- SH, 2011–2013: a single 72 lbf·ft (100 N·m, 10 kgf·m) in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 manuals 3 4.
- SJ (2014–2018), including turbo: 89 lbf·ft (120 N·m, 12 kgf·m), the same in every year from 2014 to 2018 1 6.
- SK (2019–2024): unchanged, checked in 2019 and 2021–2024 7.
- SL (2025–2026), Wilderness and Hybrid: 89 lbf·ft (120 N·m, 12 kgf·m) 8 2.
The 2014 step is the one to note. An SH set to the newer 89 ft-lb is above every figure Subaru printed for that car. An SJ or later set to 72 is under its spec. The Outback and Crosstrek have been at 120 N·m for every year we checked, so the SH Forester is the outlier in Subaru’s lineup.
Subaru’s footnote also applies here: the torque “is equivalent to applying approximately 88 to 110 lbf (40 to 50 kgf) at the end of the wheel nut wrench”. If you tightened by hand, have it checked at a service facility.
Re-check and thread condition
“When any of the wheels are removed and replaced for tire rotation or to change a flat tire, always check the tightness of the wheel nuts after driving approximately 600 miles (1,000 km)” 2. Subaru adds: “Never apply oil to the threaded parts, wheel nuts, or tapered surface of the wheel” 2. Tighten in a star pattern and finish with a torque wrench (lug nut tightening guide).
Years we have not checked
We have not found the 2003–2008 (2nd generation SG) or 2009 Forester manuals. Subaru Canada’s list starts at 2010, and the technical site needs a login. The 2020 manual’s text layer lacks the spec page, but 2019 and 2021 agree. The owner’s manuals give no drain plug or brake caliper torque.
Sources
- 1Subaru, 2014 Forester Owner's Manual (Subaru Canada, en-ca)Checked 21 Oct 2026
- 2Subaru, 2026 Forester Owner's Manual (Subaru Canada, en-ca)Checked 21 Oct 2026
- 3Subaru, 2011 Forester Owner's Manual (Subaru Canada, en-ca)Checked 21 Oct 2026
- 4Subaru, 2012 Forester Owner's Manual (Subaru Canada, en-ca)Checked 21 Oct 2026
- 5Subaru, 2010 Forester Owner's Manual (Subaru Canada, en-ca)Checked 21 Oct 2026
- 6Subaru, 2018 Forester Owner's Manual (Subaru Canada, en-ca)Checked 21 Oct 2026
- 7Subaru, 2019 Forester Owner's Manual (Subaru Canada, en-ca)Checked 21 Oct 2026
- 8Subaru, 2025 Forester Owner's Manual (Subaru Canada, en-ca)Checked 21 Oct 2026
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Related
- SubaruSubaru lug nut torque chart: Outback, Crosstrek and 2014+ Forester at 89 lbf·ft (120 N·m); the 2010–2013 Forester is lower, from Subaru Canada manuals.
- Subaru OutbackSubaru Outback lug nut torque: 120 N·m in every Subaru manual from 2010 to 2026, printed as 89 or 88.5 lbf·ft, with Subaru's 600-mile re-check.
- Subaru CrosstrekSubaru Crosstrek lug nut torque: 89 lbf·ft (120 N·m) for every US and Canadian model from 2013 to 2026, Hybrid and Wilderness included, from Subaru manuals.
- Honda CR-VHonda CR-V lug nut torque: 80 lbf·ft (108 N·m) in every Honda manual checked from 2002 to 2022, plus the 30 lbf·ft engine oil drain bolt torque.