Kia Rio lug nut torque

The Kia Rio takes a lug nut torque of 65–79 lb-ft (88–107 N·m, 9–11 kgf·m) on its wheel nuts; the 2015–2017 manuals all say the same. Tighten them in a star pattern with a torque wrench.

Sources checked

Wheel nut torque

65–79lb-ft88–107N·m9–11kgf·m

04080120050100150ft-lbN·m

The manual gives a range: any setting inside it is within spec.

As printed
“Wheel lug nut torque / lbf·ft (kgf·m, N.m): 65~79 (9~11, 88~107)”
Source
Rio 2017 Owner's Manual (Kia, US): Tires and wheels specifications, PDF page 511

Kia Rio lug nut torque by model year

Model yearTorqueManual page
201765–79 lb-ft (88–107 N·m)Tires and wheels specifications, PDF page 511
201665–79 lb-ft (88–107 N·m)Tires and wheels specifications, PDF page 614
201565–79 lb-ft (88–107 N·m)Tires and wheels specifications, PDF page 427

Read on Kia’s own site on October 19, 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 65–79 lb-ft (88–107 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.

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 Kia models

Questions

What is the lug nut torque on a Kia Rio?

65–79 lb-ft (88–107 N·m), as printed in Kia’s owner’s manuals (2015–2017).

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.