well, we amateurs don't always know the rule of "tighten the small nuts just enough". if they had specified a torque of like 10 or 15 ft-lb, would make things easier. and with large nuts i don't undertorque because they have the spec written.

 

oh, don't worry about being an amateur. all it takes is to be a forum "expert" is to have owned a couple of volvos and chime in every time, clueless or not...

 

Torque values really just depend on the material of the bolt, stud, nut and the material you are tightening into. Here's a general reference chart:



That's and M6 stud and most cars use grade 8.8 on most general fasteners. That puts the needed torque below 10 ft-lbs. But you can use this chart to help you get an idea and feel for what it right.