2018 Dodge Ram 1500 Lug Nut Torque Specifications
Properly Torquing Your Lug Nuts
- Ensuring that your lug nuts are properly torqued is crucial for the safety and performance of your 2018 Dodge Ram 1500. Incorrectly torqued lug nuts can lead to wheel vibrations, loose wheels, or even wheel detachment, which can be extremely dangerous.
- By following the recommended torque specifications, you can ensure that your lug nuts are tightened to the correct level, providing optimal safety and performance.
Recommended Torque Specifications
Here are the recommended lug nut torque specifications for the 2018 Dodge Ram 1500:
| Wheel Size | Lug Nut Torque (lb-ft) | Lug Nut Torque (Nm) |
|---|---|---|
| 17-inch | 130-140 | 176-190 |
| 20-inch | 130-140 | 176-190 |
| 22-inch | 130-140 | 176-190 |
Steps to Properly Torque Lug Nuts
- Start by ensuring that you have the correct torque specifications for your specific wheel size. Refer to the table above for the recommended torque values.
- Before beginning, make sure your lug wrench or torque wrench is in good working condition.
- Loosen each lug nut on the wheel using a lug wrench or a breaker bar. Do not remove the lug nuts completely at this stage.
- Once all the lug nuts are loosened, use a jack to lift the vehicle off the ground, ensuring it is securely supported by jack stands.
- Remove the lug nuts and the wheel from the vehicle.
- Clean the wheel hub and the mounting surface to ensure proper contact and prevent any debris from interfering with the lug nut torque.
- Place the wheel back onto the wheel hub, aligning the lug nut holes.
- Hand-tighten each lug nut as much as possible to ensure proper alignment.
- Using a torque wrench, tighten each lug nut in a star pattern. This ensures even distribution of torque and prevents warping of the brake rotor.
- Continue tightening each lug nut until you reach the recommended torque value specified for your wheel size.
- Once all the lug nuts are torqued to the proper specifications, double-check the tightness of each lug nut.
- Lower the vehicle back to the ground using the jack and remove the jack stands.
- Finally, using a torque wrench, recheck the torque of each lug nut after driving approximately 50 miles to ensure they are still properly torqued.
Conclusion
Properly torquing your lug nuts is an essential maintenance task for your 2018 Dodge Ram 1500. By following the recommended torque specifications and using the correct torque wrench, you can ensure the safety and performance of your vehicle. Remember to periodically check the torque of your lug nuts to maintain their proper tightness and prevent any potential issues on the road.