2002 KIA SPORTAGE OWNERS MANUAL

Keep a regular schedule for inspecting the spark plugs on your 2002 Kia Sportage. According to the official 2002 Kia Sportage owner's manual, spark plugs and ignition wires should be inspected every two years or 48,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Let your 2002 Kia Sportage sit for a few hours before opening the engine compartment. You want to make sure that the engine is cool before you begin working on it.

Pop open the hood of your Sportage and locate the ignition wires, which will be attached to the top of your engine. The 2002 Kia Sportage has a four-cylinder engine, meaning there are four spark plugs each attached to an ignition wire. The ignition wires run from the engine to the fuse box, which is located in the left side of the engine compartment.

Inspect the ignition wires of your 2002 Kia Sportage. These wires will need to be replaced if they appear worn.

Disconnect the ignition wire to your spark plugs. Grab the rubber boot located near the base of the wire and pull upward instead of yanking on the wire. Remove only one wire at a time, or mark the wires with a colored Sharpie marker before disconnecting all of them. Improperly reconnecting the ignition wires can seriously affect the performance of your Kia Sportage.

Attach the spark plug socket to your socket wrench. Use the socket wrench to remove the spark plug from the top of the engine's cylinder.

Inspect the spark plug. There will be some soot, but if the spark plug is completely covered in soot, it needs to be replaced.

Position your replacement spark plug in place and secure it with the spark plug socket on your socket wrench. Be careful not to overtighten the spark plug after it has been snuggly fitted.

Position the rubber boot of the proper ignition wire in place above the spark plug and insert it with your hands. Close the hood of your 2002 Kia Sportage