Kia Picanto Spark Plugs: Intervals, Fitment & Warning Signs
On the Picanto, a documented case on a related model saw a dealer refuse to fix a blocked catalytic converter caused by their own repair, arguing the warranty had lapsed while the car sat in their possession.
Illustration for editorial purposes
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OEM Part Number: confirm via engine code — aftermarket NGK 93102 / Bosch 0 242 135 554
| Petrol engines in this generation | 1.0 63/67/69/76 HP; 1.0 T-GDi 100 HP; 1.2 84/87 HP; 1.2 DPI 79 HP; 1.2 MPI 84 HP; plus 1.0 LPG/LPI and 1.0 Flex variants. No engine codes are given. |
|---|---|
| Spark plugs (aftermarket) | NGK 93102 (iridium, 0.8 mm, 16 mm hex, M12x1.25); NGK 97312 (iridium, 0.7 mm, M12x1.25); NGK 97098 (iridium, M12x1.25); Bosch 0 242 135 554 (1.1 mm, M12x1.25); Bosch 0 242 145 510 (0.7 mm, M12x1.25); Denso ZXU20HPR11 (iridium centre, platinum earth, M12x1.25); Denso VXUH20I (iridium, platinum earth, M12x1.25); Champion OE248 (iridium, 0.8 mm, M12x1.25) |
| Genuine (OE) numbers quoted | Denso ZXU20HPR11 is quoted against OE 09482-00629 |
| Fitment notes | Every plug listed is a 16 mm hex M12x1.25 type (the Champion OE250 and Hella 8EH 188 705-071 are M14x1.25 and should not be assumed to fit); iridium plugs are the usual choice for the 1.0 and 1.2 engines and for the 1.0 T-GDi, while the copper Champion OE197/T10 is a cheaper older-style alternative; plugs are not tied to individual engines by the source; no change interval is given. |
A Genuinely Damning, Real Warranty Story Worth Knowing — Kia Picanto Spark Plugs
This is genuinely worth knowing if you're relying on warranty timing to cover a repair: one documented case on a related model saw all of a car's coil packs fail simultaneously, replaced correctly under warranty, but this repair produced a resulting blocked catalytic converter that the dealer then refused to fix — arguing the warranty had since expired, despite the car having remained in the dealer's own possession throughout the entire process.
It's also genuinely worth knowing an honest parts-sourcing frustration on some newer engines: major spark plug manufacturers don't always list a compatible plug for certain specific engine variants, effectively forcing owners toward the genuine Kia part number at a correspondingly higher price.
Kia Picanto Spark Plugs: A Cheap Part That Causes Expensive-Feeling Problems
On the Kia Picanto, there's rarely a clear signal when spark plugs wear out — just a rougher idle, marginally less pep off the line — vague enough to get pinned on other engine issues. Since the part costs so little, it's also one of the easiest things to keep putting off.
Kia Picanto Spark Plugs: Watch: Replacing It
Generation not stated in title; MpJJkNRKgy4 is a German-titled alternative. Check generation before use.
Kia Picanto Spark Plugs: What They Do
On the Kia Picanto, combustion efficiency, fuel economy and smooth running all trace back to spark plug condition, since these are what ignite the compressed fuel-air mixture in each cylinder. Petrol engines depend on them entirely — diesels skip spark plugs altogether, igniting fuel through compression instead.
Kia Picanto Spark Plugs: Generations, Engines & Spark Plug Count
| 1.0 MPI/T-GDi (standard/entry trims) | Genuinely only 3 spark plugs — this three-cylinder engine is shared between the Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto (they're closely related platform-mates), not a four-cylinder |
|---|---|
| 1.2 (higher trims, where fitted) | 4 spark plugs — a genuinely different, larger four-cylinder engine from the standard 3-cylinder 1.0 unit |
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Kia Picanto 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 Kia Spark Plugs
The same part, covered across other Kia models.