Dodge Caliber lug nut torque

The Dodge Caliber takes 100 lb-ft (135 N·m) on its wheel nuts; the 2010–2012 manuals all say the same. Tighten them in a star pattern with a torque wrench.

Sources checked

Wheel nut torque

100lb-ft135N·m

04080120050100150ft-lbN·m
As printed
“The correct wheel nut torque is 100 ft lbs (135 N·m).”
Source
2012 Dodge Caliber Owner's Manual: Jacking and Tire Changing, PDF page 399

Dodge Caliber lug nut torque by model year

Model yearTorqueManual page
2012100 lb-ft (135 N·m)Jacking and Tire Changing, PDF page 399
2011100 lb-ft (135 N·m)Jacking and Tire Changing, PDF page 382
2010100 lb-ft (135 N·m)Jacking and Tire Changing, PDF page 380

Read on Dodge’s own site on October 22, 2026. Years not listed haven’t been checked yet, or their manual prints no value; check your own manual.

How to tighten them

  1. Clean any dirt or rust off the studs, the nuts and the wheel’s mounting face. Don’t oil them unless the manual says to.
  2. Thread every nut on by hand until it seats against the wheel.
  3. Lower the vehicle so the tire takes its weight, and set a torque wrench to 100 lb-ft (135 N·m).
  4. Tighten the nuts in a star pattern, going around two or three times, until the wrench clicks on every nut.
  5. Check the torque again after a short drive if your manual says to.

What the Dodge manual adds

  • Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern until each nut has been tightened twice.
  • If you doubt that you have tightened the nuts correctly, have them checked with a torque wrench by your authorized dealer or service station.
  • Alternate nuts until each nut has been tightened twice.

More detail, including how many passes to make: how to torque lug nuts. Setting and using the wrench: how to use a click torque wrench. Nuts or bolts, car by car: lug nuts vs wheel bolts.

Other Dodge models

Questions

What is the lug nut torque on a Dodge Caliber?

100 lb-ft (135 N·m), as printed in Dodge’s owner’s manuals (2010–2012).

Can I use an impact wrench?

Not to finish. An impact wrench can’t set a torque and easily overshoots it, which stretches studs. Run the nuts down by hand or lightly, then finish with a torque wrench in a star pattern.

Should I oil the studs?

Not unless the manual says so. Torque values assume clean, dry threads; oil lets the same torque stretch the stud further. Some manuals, Kia’s and Mazda’s among them, say to keep oil and grease off wheel nuts and bolts altogether.