Wheel torque refers to the amount of rotational force applied to a vehicle's lug nuts or bolts to securely fasten the wheel to the hub. Proper torque is crucial to ensure that the wheels are attached firmly, without being too loose (which can cause vibrations or wheel detachment) or too tight (which can lead to damage to the wheel studs or warping of the brake rotors).

Torque is measured in pound-feet (lb-ft) or Newton-meters (Nm) and is applied using a torque wrench to ensure precision. Each vehicle has a specific torque specification that must be followed for safe and reliable operation. Over- or under-tightening can lead to safety risks, such as the wheel coming off while driving or damage to the wheel assembly components.

To maintain proper wheel torque, it’s important to check and retighten lug nuts after installing new wheels or tires, especially after driving for a short distance (usually around 50-100 miles).