Replacing Your Vehicles Spark Plugs at Recommended Intervals

A better-running vehicle is one of the many things you can do to help the environment, as better gas mileage is not only good on your pocketbook but also on the resources of our planet. But in today’s world of computers in every aspect of your life, including your automobile, many drivers aren’t sure of things they can do themselves to make their vehicle more efficient.

One of the easier maintenance jobs that you can do to improve your engine performance is to replace the spark plugs. As spark plugs get worn out and dirty, the engine has a higher chance of misfiring and causing your vehicle to have lower gas mileage. It also can lead to bigger maintenance issues if not replaced regularly.

Knowing how and when to change spark plugs is a fairly simple task and shouldn’t take you long, perhaps an hour or two, depending on whether you’ve done it before. Most sources recommend changing the spark plugs every 30,000 to 50,000 miles or every three years, whichever comes first. But you should check your owner’s manual to see what the manufacturer recommends, keeping in mind your specific driving conditions and the overall condition of your vehicle. While you’re changing the plugs, it’s recommended to check the plug wires as well. You’re looking for burns, cracks, or other issues that indicate potential trouble for your engine.

For this job, you will need to gather the following items:

o   the new spark plugs, which your owner’s manual or an automotive parts supplier can tell you which type you need

o   a socket wrench and extensions, as well as a spark plug socket (be sure it’s the right size)

o   a spark plug gapping tool (your owner’s manual will tell you what size gap)

o   cleaning tools, such as a rag and a can of compressed air

Make sure the engine has been turned off and is cool to limit the potential for harm. It’s recommended that the engine be off for at least an hour before attempting to change spark plugs.

First, you need to find the spark plugs.  If you have a 4-cylinder engine, they should be at the top of the engine. The owner’s manual can also help you locate the spark plugs. You’ll want to clean the area around the spark plug, either with compressed air or a rag.

Then, you will want to make sure you know which plugs are connected to which wires. If you replace the wrong wire or spark plug, this could cause your engine damage. One recommendation is to mark the plug wires with tape to identify them, as well as working on one plug at a time.

Gently take the plug wire by the connector at the end of the wire, called a boot, and pull it from the spark plug. You don’t want to pull the wire itself, as it could damage the connection. With your socket wrench, you can now remove the spark plug – going counter clockwise.

Once removed, you’ll want to clean the threads and examine the plug. If it’s dirty or grimy, it’s definitely time to replace it. Make sure the new plug looks just like the one you’re replacing. This is where the gapping tool comes in handy, as this can confirm you’ve got the right plugs and that they’re set to the right gap, although if you ordered the plugs that are specific to your vehicle, the gap will already be set correctly.

Now it’s time to put in the new plug. Holding just the extension, you’ll push the new plug into the socket until it’s tight. Gently insert the plug back into the hole, screwing the plug in using only your fingers to make sure it isn’t cross-threaded. Continue screwing the plug until you can no longer do it by hand, then use the wrench to tighten it just a little. You don’t want to over-tighten the spark plug, though, as it could damage the new plug. Once the plug is tight into the hole, reattach the wire until the boot is on top.

Congratulations, you’ve just installed your first spark plug! The remaining plugs are just a repeat of the above steps. Once all the spark plugs have been replaced, start your engine. If you did your job correctly, the engine should run smooth. If it doesn’t start, backfires, or sounds like there’s a problem, go back and double-check to see you did the job correctly. It’s recommended that if this is your first time replacing the spark plugs to check the engine after replacing each plug.

While the materials in spark plugs aren’t easily recyclable, you might want to check with your local EPA for a hazardous waste drop-off location so that they’re at least disposed of properly.