I put on my winter tires Dec 2nd and torqued all the lug nuts to 100 foot pounds. Two weeks later I rechecked the torque and while most were ok, I was surprised some were as low as 70 foot pounds. I checked them again today and had 1 at 80 and 4 at 90. I hate to think where some of those 70s would be if I hadn't checked them. If you have recently put on new tires or changed over to winter tires, please get out the torque wrench and check. Ten minutes of your time could save some grief later.

 

Nice PSA. Check tire pressures, check oil, check torque. Just make sense...but I doubt most people do it often enough. <my own hand raising>

 

100 ft/lbs? Shouldn't you be torquing them to 80-85?

 

You are 100% correct. 100 ft/lbs is way overtorqued for aluminum wheels. To the point of possibly damaging the wheels or studs. Torque to 80-85 and recheck them after about 100 miles.

 

You are right. I checked the Owner's Manual and it says 80 ft-lbs. I was using 100 ft-lbs because that was what they were at when they came back from my Infiniti dealership after they had rotated the tires.

 

Another good tip: get your torque wrench checked/calibrated!!

Doesnt do much good to torque them to 80 ft lbs per your wrench if its actually only 70, or 90 or 100.

Thats me raising own hand, as Im almost 100% sure my torque wrench is WAY off. Actually considering getting a better one off Ebay complete with calibration paperwork.