When installing wheels on any vehicle, including the Chevrolet Impala, it is critical to follow the manufacturer-specified wheel nut torque specifications. Not only does it help your vehicle operate properly, but it prevents serious potential damage to your wheels, wheel hubs and brakes. The wheel nut torque is consistent for 2003 models as well as all of those produced since the vehicle's reintroduction in 1994.
Wheel nut torque is the measurement that describes how tightly a lug nut is fastened that connects the wheel to the vehicle. It is important to torque lug nuts to the manufacturer-recommended specifications. Lug nuts that are too loose do not properly and safely fasten the wheels. Lug nuts fastened too tightly can "stretch," causing cracking, shearing, loosening and breaking.
Chevrolet recommends that lug nuts be torqued at 100 foot-pounds.
When tightening the lug nuts, use a torque wrench to gauge when the torque reaches 100 foot-pounds. Since Impalas have five nuts per wheel, tighten them in a star pattern on each wheel to ensure uniformity. Re-torque the nuts after driving on new wheels for 50 to 100 miles, as the metal can warp when it is first broken in.
