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Tesla Model 3 lug nut torque by year

Every Model 3 is 129 ft-lb (175 N·m) on five lug nuts with a 21 mm socket. That applies to the 2017–2023 car and the 2024-and-later Highland refresh. The value comes from Tesla's service manual, which also gives the brake caliper bolt torques and marks the caliper-to-knuckle bolts as replace-on-removal.

By the Torque Reference editors 8 sources cited Last reviewed Method
Contents7 sections

Key takeaways

  • 2017–2023 and 2024+ Highland: 129 ft-lb (175 N·m), 21 mm socket ⁠1 ⁠2
  • Use a 6-point socket, not a 12-point or specialty socket ⁠1
  • Front caliper-to-knuckle bolts: 94 N·m (69.3 lbs-ft), replace the bolts ⁠3
  • Rear caliper-to-bracket (base brakes): 26.5 N·m (19.5 lbs-ft), bolts reused ⁠4

Tesla Model 3 lug nut torque by year

Model yearsVariantTorqueStudOwner’s manual
2017-20231st gen (pre-Highland)all (5 lug nuts, 21 mm socket)129 ft-lb175 N·m–
Page Technical Data > Wheels

“Lug Nut Torque: 175 Nm (129 lb. ft.) Lug Nut Socket Size: 21 mm”

2017-2023 Model 3 Service Manual

⁠1
2024-Highland refreshall (5 lug nuts, 21 mm socket)129 ft-lb175 N·m–
Page Technical Data > Wheels

“Lug Nut Torque: 175 Nm (129 lb. ft.) Lug Nut Socket Size: 21 mm”

Model 3 2024+ Service Manual

⁠2

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.

Tesla Model 3 brake caliper bolt torque

FastenerTorqueService manual
front caliper to knuckle bolts (bolts replaced, Torx E18)2017-2023, 1st gen69.3 ft-lb94 N·m
3301 > Brake Caliper - Front - LH (Remov

“Bolts that attach the LH front brake caliper to the LH front knuckle 94 Nm (69.3 lbs-ft) External Torx E18 Replace”

⁠3
rear caliper bracket to knuckle bolts (bolts replaced)2017-2023, 1st gen61.2 ft-lb83 N·m
3301 > Brake Caliper - Rear - LH (Remove

“LH rear brake caliper bracket to the knuckle 83 Nm (61.2 lbs-ft) Replace”

⁠5
rear caliper to caliper bracket (base brakes, pad replacement)2017-2023, 1st gen19.5 ft-lb26.5 N·m
Torque Specifications - Brakes, Brake Pa

“LH rear brake caliper to the LH rear brake caliper bracket 26.5 Nm (19.5 lbs-ft) 14 mm socket Reuse”

⁠4
rear caliper to bracket, Sport/Performance brakes: lower bolt 71 Nm (52.4 lbs-ft), upper bolt 34 Nm (25.1 lbs-ft)2017-2023, 1st gen52.4 ft-lb71 N·m
Torque Specifications - Brakes, Brake Pa

“LH/RH rear caliper to the LH/RH rear caliper bracket, lower bolt 71 Nm (52.4 lbs-ft) Reuse LH/RH rear caliper to the LH/RH rear caliper bracket, upper bolt 34 Nm (25.1 lbs-ft) Reuse”

⁠4
front caliper to knuckle bolts (x2), Sport Brakes (bolts replaced, Torx E18)2024-, Highland69.3 ft-lb94 N·m
3301 > Brake Caliper - Front (Sport Brak

“Bolts (x2) that attach the LH/RH front brake caliper to the LH/RH front knuckle 94 Nm (69.3 lbs-ft) External Torx E18 Breaker bar Replace”

⁠6
rear caliper bracket to knuckle (base brakes, bolts replaced)2024-, Highland61.2 ft-lb83 N·m
3301 > Brake Caliper - Rear (Base Brakes

“the LH rear caliper bracket to the knuckle 83 Nm (61.2 lbs-ft) External Torx E18 Replace”

⁠7
rear caliper to caliper bracket (base brakes, pad kit)2024-, Highland19.5 ft-lb26.5 N·m
Torque Specifications - Brakes, Brake Pa

“Bolts (x4) that attach the LH and RH rear brake caliper to the LH rear brake caliper bracket 26.5 Nm (19.5 lbs-ft)”

⁠8

Wheels: one value for both versions

Tesla’s Technical Data page lists “Lug Nut Torque: 175 Nm (129 lb. ft.) Lug Nut Socket Size: 21 mm” for the 2017–2023 Model 3 and again for the 2024+ car ⁠1 ⁠2. The procedure pages print the conversion as 129.1 lbs-ft, but it is the same 175 N·m. The 2024+ manual also covers Tesla’s 18 in. steel wheel at 175 Nm (129.1 lbs-ft) with a 21 mm socket. It cautions: “Install the Tesla 18” steel wheel (1344219-00-A) on Model 3 Standard only” ⁠2.

The Wheel Assembly procedure sets the order. “Use a power tool to tighten the lug nuts (x5) of the wheel to the initial torque in a criss-cross star pattern”. Then make the final torque pass after the car is lowered. Tesla also says “Use only hand tools to break the lug nuts loose” and “Use a 6 point socket. Do not use a 12 point socket or a specialty socket” ⁠1. The lug nut tightening guide covers the star pattern.

Brake caliper bolts

The service manual is also our source for the caliper torques in the table above. Two notes matter more than the numbers:

  • Front caliper to knuckle: 94 Nm (69.3 lbs-ft), External Torx E18, marked “Replace”. These bolts are single-use ⁠3. The 2024+ Sport Brakes front caliper uses the same value and also says replace ⁠6.
  • Rear caliper bracket to knuckle: 83 Nm (61.2 lbs-ft), also “Replace” ⁠5 ⁠7.
  • Rear caliper to bracket, base brakes (pad replacement): 26.5 Nm (19.5 lbs-ft), 14 mm socket, bolts reused ⁠4 ⁠8.
  • Rear caliper to bracket, Sport/Performance brakes (2017–2023): lower bolt 71 Nm (52.4 lbs-ft), upper bolt 34 Nm (25.1 lbs-ft), reused ⁠4.

On the rear, check whether your car has base or Sport/Performance brakes before you pick a value. The lower bolt on Sport brakes is more than double the base-brake figure.

Years and items we have not checked

Tesla’s online owner’s manual refused our requests, so this page cites the service manual rather than the owner’s manual. We have not separately checked the 2024+ Performance front caliper. The Model 3 has no engine oil drain plug, and we have not researched drive-unit fluid drain plug torque.

Sources

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  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8

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