Ford Explorer lug nut torque
Ford Explorer owner’s manuals give 150 lb-ft (204 N·m) for 2020–2027, 110 lb-ft (149 N·m) for 2019, 100 lb-ft (135 N·m) for 2005–2018 and 100 lb-ft (136 N·m) for 2004. Check which applies to yours. Tighten them in a star pattern with a torque wrench.
Sources checked
Wheel nut torque, 2020–2027
150lb-ft204N·m
- As printed
- “M14 x 1.5: 150 lb.ft (204 Nm)”
- Stud thread
- M14 x 1.5
Ford Explorer lug nut torque by model year
Read on Ford’s own site between October 14, 2026 and October 26, 2026. Years not listed haven’t been checked yet, or their manual prints no value; check your own manual.
How to tighten them
- 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.
- Thread every nut on by hand until it seats against the wheel.
- Lower the vehicle so the tire takes its weight, and set a torque wrench to the value for your model year in the table above.
- Tighten the nuts in a star pattern, going around two or three times, until the wrench clicks on every nut.
- Check the torque again after a short drive if your manual says to.
What the Ford manual adds
- Torque specifications are for nut and bolt threads free of dirt and rust.
- Use only our recommended replacement wheel nuts and or wheel bolts.
- Retighten the wheel nuts to the specified torque within 100 mi (160 km) after any wheel disturbance, such as tire rotation, changing a flat tire or wheel removal.
- Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque within 100 miles (160 kilometers) after any wheel disturbance (such as tire rotation, changing a flat tire, wheel removal).
- Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque within 100 miles (160 km) after any wheel disturbance, such as a tire rotation, a flat tire change or wheel removal. Torque values are for threads free of dirt and rust; remove any corrosion or dirt from the wheel and hub mounting surfaces first.
- Use only Ford recommended replacement fasteners.
- Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque within 100 miles (160 km) after any wheel disturbance (rotation, flat tire, wheel removal, etc.).
- Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque at 50–100 miles (80–160 km) after any wheel disturbance (rotation, flat tire, wheel removal, etc.).
- Retighten the lug nuts to the specified torque at 500 miles (800 km) after any wheel disturbance (rotation, flat tire, wheel removal, etc.).
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 Ford models
- Ford Bronco100 or 150 lb-ft, by year and version, 2021–2026
- Ford Bronco Sport100 lb-ft (135 N·m), 2021–2026
- Ford C-Max100 lb-ft (135 N·m), 2013–2018
- Ford Crown Victoria100 lb-ft (135 or 136 N·m), 2004–2011
- Ford E-Series100, 140, 150 or 150–165 lb-ft, by year and version, 2000–2014
- Ford EcoSport100 lb-ft (135 N·m), 2018–2021
- Ford Edge100 or 162 lb-ft, by model year, 2007–2024
- Ford Escape84–114 or 100 lb-ft, by model year, 2004–2026
- Ford Escape Hybrid100 lb-ft (135 N·m), 2005–2012
- Ford Excursion150 or 150–165 lb-ft, by model year, 2000–2005
- Ford Expedition150 lb-ft (200 or 204 N·m), 2004–2027
- Ford Explorer Sport Trac100 lb-ft (135 N·m), 2004–2005, 2007–2010
- Ford F-150100 or 150 lb-ft, by year and version, 2002–2027
- Ford F-150 Heritage100 or 150 lb-ft, by version, 2004
- Ford F-150 Lightning150 lb-ft (204 N·m), 2022–2025
- Ford Fiesta98 or 100 lb-ft, by model year, 2011–2019
- Ford Five Hundred100 lb-ft (135 N·m), 2005–2007
- Ford Flex100 lb-ft (135 N·m), 2009–2019
- Ford Focus92 or 100 lb-ft, by model year, 2005–2018
- Ford Focus Electric100 lb-ft (135 N·m), 2012
- Ford Freestar100 lb-ft (135 or 136 N·m), 2004–2007
- Ford Freestyle100 lb-ft (135 N·m), 2005–2007
- Ford Fusion100 or 150 lb-ft, by year and version, 2006–2020
- Ford Fusion Hybrid100 lb-ft (135 N·m), 2010–2012
- Ford GT100 lb-ft (135 N·m), 2005–2006
- Ford Maverick148 lb-ft (200 N·m), 2022–2026
- Ford Mustang98, 100 or 150 lb-ft, by model year, 2004–2026
- Ford Mustang Mach-E150 lb-ft (204 N·m), 2022–2026
- Ford Ranger100 lb-ft (135 N·m), 2002–2011, 2019–2026
- Ford Super Duty150, 150–165 or 165 lb-ft, by model year, 2000–2027
- Ford Taurus100 lb-ft (135 or 136 N·m), 2004–2019
- Ford Taurus X100 lb-ft (135 N·m), 2008–2009
- Ford Thunderbird100 lb-ft (135 or 136 N·m), 2004–2005
- Ford Transit148 or 150 lb-ft, by model year, 2015–2022, 2024, 2027
- Ford Transit Connect66, 100 or 150 lb-ft, by model year, 2010–2021
Questions
What is the lug nut torque on a Ford Explorer?
150 lb-ft (204 N·m) for 2020–2027; 110 lb-ft (149 N·m) for 2019; 100 lb-ft (135 N·m) for 2005–2018; 100 lb-ft (136 N·m) for 2004, as printed in Ford’s owner’s manuals (2004–2027).
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.