What is the proper torque specification for my wheels?
Before installing your wheels, you should always test fit each wheel for proper fitment and to confirm clearance. Once the wheels have been test fit, you can move on to installation. Proper wheel installation requires the lug nuts/lug bolts be set to the recommended torque specification for your vehicle. You’ll be able to find the torque specifications in your vehicle's owner's manual, shop repair manual or from your vehicle dealer. When installing lug nuts/lug bolts, they should thread on easily by hand until they make contact with the wheel. Using a crisscross pattern, finish tightening the lugs down with a calibrated torque wrench until the proper torque value is reached. You should avoid over-torquing your wheels, which can strip lug nuts/lug bolts, break or stretch the threads of wheel studs, and can cause the wheel, brake rotor or brake drum to distort causing damage that will require replacement of parts to correct a poor installation. It may also create a wheel that is incorrectly seated, causing an extremely dangerous situation that can cause damage or harm to you, your vehicle and others. Never apply anti-seize compound to the studs, or lug nuts/lug bolts!
After installing your wheels, you should always re-torque your lug nuts/lug bolts after driving 50 to 100 miles. As the wheels undergo a “break in” period, they may compress or adjust slightly, which could cause the lug nuts/lug bolts to lose some of their original torque. It’s as easy as re-torquing the wheels by following the steps above.