How many kilometers should the Ford Kuga's spark plugs be replaced?
4 Answers
Ford Kuga's spark plugs should be replaced every 40,000 to 50,000 kilometers. Spark plugs are crucial components in a car engine's ignition system and are also wear-prone parts that require regular replacement. If spark plugs are not replaced for an extended period, the electrode gap will widen, affecting the spark plug's ignition energy. Additionally, carbon deposits may accumulate on the electrodes over time, which can also interfere with normal spark plug ignition. The Kuga is a compact SUV under the Ford brand, equipped with two engine options: a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The 1.5-liter turbocharged engine delivers a maximum power of 133 kW and a peak torque of 240 Nm, achieving maximum power output at 6,000 rpm and peak torque between 2,000 to 4,500 rpm.
I've been driving my Escape for almost a decade now, and spark plugs are something you really need to pay attention to. The factory manual recommends changing them every 40,000 kilometers, but I've found that with a lot of stop-and-go city driving, you can noticeably feel harder ignition by 35,000 km. I remember once experiencing sudden cylinder misfire on the highway, which turned out to be caused by spark plug electrode erosion. Nowadays I use iridium spark plugs - they're more expensive but can last up to 60,000 km. If you're using standard nickel alloy ones, it's essential to check for carbon buildup during maintenance, especially if you frequently take short trips as carbon deposits accumulate faster. The removal and installation process isn't particularly difficult, but be careful not to yank the ignition cables too hard as the clips can break easily. Spark plugs don't cost much, but it's real trouble when they fail and leave you stranded on the road.
Last time I went to the 4S shop for maintenance, the technician specifically pointed at the Kuga's engine and told me: This 2.0T engine is particularly picky about spark plugs, the electrode gap needs to be checked every 20,000 km. They've encountered too many cases where owners didn't replace them even after 50,000 km, resulting in burnt ignition coils. Replacing a coil costs enough to buy five sets of spark plugs. My car maintenance habit is to use a diagnostic tool to check the misfire rate; if it exceeds 2%, replace them immediately. It's most noticeable when running the AC in summer—unstable RPM indicates poor ignition. The Kuga's ignition coil and spark plug are designed as an integrated unit, so you have to replace the whole set; don't try to save money by replacing just one. It's also crucial to check if the dust boot has aged or cracked during each maintenance.
Last year, I spent 480 yuan on spark plug replacement, but the mechanic used the wrong model, causing starting difficulties. The Ford Kuga has two versions: 1.5T and 2.0T, with completely different spark plug specifications. The 1.5T uses ILTR6P8 with fine electrodes and a heat rating of 6, while the 2.0T requires SP-534 with extended electrodes. Always wait for the engine to cool completely before replacement—removing them while hot can cause thread stripping. Set the torque wrench to 25 Nm for safety; overtightening can crack the ceramic insulator. I prepared a set of NGK spark plugs myself, double platinum ones costing around 150 yuan, which still showed golden electrodes after 30,000-40,000 km. Most importantly, clear the fault codes after installation, or the engine light will stay on.
