2017 Ford Escape Wheel Torque Specs
This is one specification I would rather verify from Ford than from a generic wheel chart. Wheel retention is safety-critical, and a number that is "close enough" is not the goal.
Official wheel fastener specification
| Item | 2017 Ford Escape specification |
|---|---|
| Wheel fastener size | M12 x 1.5 |
| Wheel lug-nut torque | 100 lb-ft (135 N·m) |
| Ford retorque note | Recheck to the specified torque within 100 miles (160 km) after a wheel has been disturbed. |
Why the condition of the mounting surfaces matters
Ford's technical note is not just about the number on a torque wrench. The company warns that corrosion, dirt or other material on the wheel and hub mounting surfaces can prevent proper metal-to-metal contact. That can allow fasteners to lose clamp load even if the initial torque reading looked correct.
Because of that, I would treat visible corrosion, damaged studs, questionable lug nuts, distorted wheel seats or an aftermarket wheel with unknown hardware as a reason to have the fitment checked rather than simply applying more torque.
Does the 100 lb-ft figure apply to aftermarket wheels?
The Ford figure is the vehicle specification for the original-style M12 x 1.5 fasteners. Some aftermarket wheel manufacturers specify their own hardware, seat design or torque requirements. If a wheel uses non-original fasteners or a different seat arrangement, the wheel/fastener manufacturer's instructions also matter.
Wheel torque vs. bolt pattern
These are different specifications. The bolt pattern tells you how the five wheel mounting holes are arranged; torque tells you the clamp load applied through the wheel fasteners. For the official M12 x 1.5 thread size, see 2017 Ford Escape lug nut size. If you are shopping for wheels, see the separate bolt pattern and wheel specs guide.