Setting Tightening Torque Range on Torque Wrench

[sundaybighouse]

Hi guys,

I am looking at the service manual for my car and it gives the tightening torque value as what I think is a range, for example:

Spark plugs tightening torque 14.4 - 21.6Nm
Wheel Hub Nuts 89 - 118Nm

My question is what value do I take for setting my torque wrench as I can only set it to one value?

Thank you

 

[Belle427]

It is a range, generally mechanics do not use torque wrenches until they are needed for critical jobs (cylinder head bolts etc)
I would always opt for a figure somewhere in the middle of the two for most jobs and maybe stick to the lower figure on delicate items such as the spark plugs

 

[sundaybighouse]

Thanks, I assumed it was a min/max value so was going to go for the middle value. I just couldn't find an explanation in the manual.

Thanks again.

 

[Belle427]

If you spend most of your life hand tightening nuts and bolts you generally get the feel for it.