2012 Kia Sportage Spark Plug Replacement Guide

Maintaining your vehicle is an incredibly rewarding task and learning how to replace your spark plugs is a great place to start. There’s a likely probability you will need to replace your worn out spark plugs several times over the course of owning a 2012 Kia Sportage. Spark plugs are one of the most important parts inside your engine as they begin the entire combustion process that starts and keeps your engine running for many thousands of miles. Similar to most engine components, spark plugs experience wear over time and eventually need replacement, but fortunately this is a repair you can do on your own. Odds are, if you’ve found yourself here, you have no idea how to do that, or perhaps you’d just like to know what kind of spark plugs you need to buy. The complete process of changing your spark plugs should take approximately 20-45 minutes. This article will go over everything you should need to know about your Kia Sportage’s spark plugs, whether you need some baseline information or a full, step-by-step guide to performing a spark plug change.

Correct spark plugs on a 2012 Kia Sportage

Recommended 2.4L L4 2012 Kia Sportage Spark Plugs

2.4L L4: Autolite APP5325 Double Platinum Automotive Replacement Spark Plugs (4 Pack)
For the 2.4L L4 2012 Kia Sportage, you can use AUTOLITE APP5325 spark plugs. As this 2.4L L4 features 4 cylinders, ensure that you purchase at least 4 spark plugs in total.

Recommended 2.0L L4 Turbocharged 2012 Kia Sportage Spark Plugs

2.0L L4 Turbocharged: Champion Iridium 9409 Spark Plug (Carton of 1) – RER8WMPB
For the 2.0L L4 Turbocharged 2012 Kia Sportage, you can use CHAMPION 9409 spark plugs. As this 2.0L L4 Turbocharged features 4 cylinders, ensure that you purchase at least 4 spark plugs in total.

These spark plugs are an exact fit for their respective engines and will match the required specifications. As this 2012 Kia Sportage features a 4 cylinder engine, ensure you purchase 4 spark plugs. We always try to recommend the best possible spark plugs for the money, and these spark plugs are either a factory recomendation or an equivalent replacement available now at a reasonable price.

How often should I change my spark plugs?

As a general recommendation, it is advised that you replace spark plugs once every 20,000 to 40,000 miles. Of course, please make sure to check your owner’s manual to determine the exact interval determined by Kia for the 2012 Sportage. Of course, if you drive your vehicle more aggressively or own a Sportage with some modifications, you may want to consider changing your spark plugs closer to the 20,000 miles end of that spectrum.

However, there are also telltale signs of a car that needs a spark plug replacement prematurely, such as:

  • Engine misfiring
  • Rough idle
  • Problems starting your engine

Consider that this list is certainly not comprehensive, and these problems on their own do not necessarily point to the spark plugs being the standalone culprit. However, the best way to prevent any issues with your vehicle is to take care of it with regular maintenance, and you are definitely doing so with the responsible decision to replace your Kia Sportage’s spark plugs on a regular basis.

Changing spark plugs on a 2012 Kia Sportage

This is a process you can do on your own with some ordinary garage tools. Of course, consult your owner’s manual, as well as a factory service manual (FSM for short) or an equivalent Haynes or Chiltons manual. The video shown below does a good job of outlining the process.

Helpful Tools

A set of spark plug sockets is a must have. Certain spark plugs and engines make this job nearly imposible without one
As noted before, you should be able to accomplish a spark plug change with some ordinary tools you most likely already have. However, there are a few tools that are specific to this job that you may not have, and we also want to recommend some commonplace tools that you should absolutely have in your toolbox if you do not already.

  • A spark plug gap tool. This allows you to check the gap of your spark plugs and modify it if necessary. Most plugs will come pregapped, but if this is not the case, you should for sure have one of these.
  • A torque wrench is a essential tool to have in your arsenal. You will want to check your FSM (factory service manual) to determine the correct torque rating to use when inserting the new spark plugs for your 2012 Kia Sportage to be certain they are installed properly.
  • A set of spark plug sockets – These come in extremely handy because many standard sockets are not deep enough for spark plugs. Also, some spark plug holes are a bit smaller, so it requires a thinner wall like the one featured in the product here to fit. The linked product also features a magnet to keep a good hold of the spark plug so you do not drop it into your engine bay!
  • A spark plug tester – this is definitely a niche tool, but it can save you lots of time. Although we’ve discussed spark plug replacement being a good thing to replace regularly and not just when issues occur, you may also be replacing your spark plugs because of a problem. This tool can help you diagnose the exact problem.

Tips for changing spark plugs on your 2012 Kia Sportage

It is a great idea to have some dielectric grease handy.
Ensure you reference the video above before you attempt to repair the spark plugs on your 2012 Kia Sportage, as well as review your FSM (factory service manual). Be sure to check the tips shown here to help you as you do this repair.

  • One of the most important things to remember is to avoid overtightening the plugs or worse, cracking them due to overtightenting. Use a torque wrench capable of lower, more precise torque ratings to be sure that you don’t make this mistake.
  • Before beginning, remove the negative terminal of your battery. It is wise to disconnect the battery anytime you work on the electrical system of your Kia Sportage or any other vehicle.
  • Your engine should be completely cold before you replace your spark plugs. You should wait at least 30 minutes after any kind of operation before attempting to replace the spark plugs on your 2012 Kia Sportage
  • You might consider using dielectric grease when installing new spark plugs. You can apply a a small dab to the inside of the boot and the ceramic part of your spark plugs. It lessens the chance of voltage leak and helps avoid the misfortune of the boot fusing to the spark plug over time.
  • This is not official advice as many spark plug manufacturers advise against the use of anti-seize. However, I have heard from numerous old-school mechanics that they always apply a small amount of anti-seize to the threads of their spark plugs, especially on older vehicles.

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