Ford S-Max Spark Plugs: Intervals, Fitment & Warning Signs
A genuine technical warning about engine temperature before removing the S-Max's plugs, plus why owners often change these earlier than Ford's official interval.
Illustration for editorial purposes
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OEM Part Number: 1698597 (as quoted in catalogue listings — confirm via engine code) — aftermarket NGK 90607 / Bosch 0 242 236 678
| Petrol engines in this generation | 1.5 EcoBoost (160 HP), 2.5 FHEV (190 HP) |
|---|---|
| Spark plugs (aftermarket) | NGK 90607 (iridium, 16 mm hex, M14x1.25); NGK 91924 (iridium, 14 mm hex, M12x1.25); NGK 96588 (iridium, 16 mm hex, M14x1.25); Bosch 0 242 236 678 (0.8 mm gap, M14x1.25); Bosch 0 242 230 612 (1.3 mm gap, M14x1.25); Bosch 0 242 236 683 (0.8 mm gap); Champion CCH9901 (iridium, 1.2 mm gap); Champion CCH9016 (iridium, 0.8 mm gap) |
| Genuine (OE) numbers quoted | Denso ITV22 (OE 1698597); Ford 1802090 (genuine part) |
| Fitment notes | Iridium throughout, in either the 16 mm hex M14x1.25 family (NGK 90607 and 96588, Bosch 0 242 236 678) or the 14 mm hex M12x1.25 family (NGK 91924, Champion OE251). Brisk 1959 lists a 100,000 km interval. No plug is tied to an engine code. |
A Genuine Technical Warning Worth Knowing First — Ford S-Max Spark Plugs
Worth knowing before attempting this yourself on the Ford S-Max: spark plugs should never be removed when the engine is either hot or fully cold-soaked (sat unused overnight) — the engine needs to be warm to the touch after cooling down for a period first. Removing plugs at the wrong temperature risks damaging the thread or the cylinder head itself, a considerably more expensive problem than the plug replacement you started with. On EcoBoost engines specifically, the aluminium cylinder head makes this more of a genuine risk than on some older, simpler engines — over-tightening or working at the wrong temperature can strip threads that are more delicate than cast iron.
It's also worth knowing that Ford's official spark plug interval for the S-Max (often around 100,000 miles on EcoBoost engines) is considerably longer than what many real-world owners actually do in practice — a meaningful number report changing plugs at 40,000-60,000 miles instead, citing noticeably improved throttle response and fuel economy, particularly on turbocharged engines that work the plugs harder than a naturally-aspirated equivalent. This isn't a hard rule, but if you're noticing a rough idle or slightly longer crank time on an EcoBoost with plugs approaching official end-of-life, fresh plugs are a cheap thing to try before assuming a more expensive fault.
Ford S-Max Spark Plugs: A Cheap Part That Causes Expensive-Feeling Problems
The Ford S-Max's spark plugs rarely fail dramatically; they just quietly degrade, showing up as a rougher idle or slightly blunted acceleration that gets blamed on other things. The part costs next to nothing, which paradoxically makes it one of the most commonly neglected items under the bonnet.
Ford S-Max Spark Plugs: Watch: Replacing It
Exact-model option is Polish S-Max coil swap bmuBxShwqUM (non-English, coil only).
Ford S-Max Spark Plugs: What They Do
On the Ford S-Max, the compressed fuel-air mixture in each cylinder is ignited by the spark plugs, and their condition feeds directly into combustion efficiency, fuel economy and how smoothly the engine runs. Only petrol engines use them; diesels rely on compression alone.
Ford S-Max Spark Plugs: Generations & Spark Plug Count
| Diesel variants | Not applicable — diesel engines use compression ignition and have no spark plugs at all |
|---|---|
| Petrol variants (all standard trims) | 4 spark plugs — one per cylinder |
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Ford S-Max Spark Plugs: Warning Signs, DIY Difficulty & Aftermarket Advice
These are the same regardless of make or model — see our full Spark Plugs Guide for symptoms of worn plugs, why matching your exact plug specification matters, and trusted brands to buy from.
More Ford Spark Plugs
The same part, covered across other Ford models.