Description: Petrol vehicle Spark plugs are essential for efficient engine performance. Here Top 6 Reasons Why Spark Plug Maintenance Matters. Worn-out spark plugs can lead to poor fuel economy, engine misfiring, and more difficulty starting your car.
According to the brand, the recommended duration of replacement improves acceleration, fuel efficiency, and overall engine health. Check your model’s owner’s manual for the exact recommendation when to replace, it mentions and writes full details, every brand mentions standard mileage for replacement of spark plug, and which type and code number, for example, NGK-O1, NGK-O2.
Signs It’s Time to Replace Spark Plugs
Trouble starting your car
While driving your car, it’s sudden jerking may be 80km to 100km per hour speed very minor jerk you can feel. At that time, you should go to a car repair shop and check the spark plug gap and condition; if not good need to replace it.
Rough idling or engine misfires
Sometimes, while you start the car in ideal condition, you feel misfiring of the engine and vehicle vibration, mostly chance spark plug gap was more or the spark plug tip was broken, sometimes the ignition coil also burns, but you can check the first spark plug.
Decreased fuel efficiency
If your car misfires and you will drive this car, its decreased fuel economy means fuel not burning properly in the combustion chamber due to a lack of sparking.
Poor acceleration
A bad spark plug means more carbon deposit blockage or a reduced spark tip point. You want to clean it properly and use a filler gauge to check the gap. Most of the spark plug gap is 0.60 to 1.1mm again depending on to model.
Check Engine Light is on
Very rare, but sometimes a vehicle’s missfire consequence is 3 seconds or more engine control module detects a missfire coming from car car-specific cylinder, and dtc code will be generated. At that time, you want to check the spark plug may see insulator coating area is cracked or the tip is damaged.
Factors That Affect How Often You Should Change Spark Plugs
Type of spark plug (Copper, Iridium, Platinum, Double platinum, Silver spark plug)
Every type of spark plug have specific definition means Copper based spark plug are used in old days and its replace on 40000 miles or before because its grade low, another side Iridium and p based spark plug have better quality should be change 80000 mile or above, Another side Platinum based spark plug are very expensive because of high quality metal are used and low corrion in engine, Double platinum spark plugs are engineered for durability in vehicles equipped with wasted spark ignition systems—a setup where two spark plugs fire at the same time. Unlike single platinum plugs, double platinum spark plugs feature platinum on both the center and ground electrodes, increasing their ability to withstand the extra wear caused by this dual-spark design. Ideal for cars with wasted spark systems. Offers better longevity and efficiency than a single platinum plug. Helps maintain consistent ignition performanceTypically more expensive, but worth it for extended life and reliability.
Silver spark plugs aren’t commonly seen in modern vehicles, but they hold a unique place in the world of performance and vintage engines. Featuring silver-tipped electrodes, they offer excellent thermal conductivity but tend to wear out faster than platinum or iridium types. Found mostly in older European sports cars and motorcycles. Provide rapid heat dissipation for high-performance engines. Less durable than other modern spark plug types. Not typically recommended for today’s daily drivers.
Sometimes, before needing to change because of bad fuel, which means the octane number is high, or sometimes by mistake, put diesel in a petrol car, at that time the spark plug has more corrosion. So mention petrol or diesel car in the fuel tank filler cap.
Driving habits (frequent short trips or heavy loads)
Every car has a standard load capacity mentioned in the owner’s manual. If you drive above the standard load capacity, it affects the engine performance, like engine oil pressure has some variation and affects on head gasket also, and sudden acceleration time engine have generates more heat and affects some components.
Engine condition and vehicle age
This is very big part what is the engine condition like if you are not doing service as per schedule is affect on your car health like engine oil & spark plug have a certain limitation like you will be replace this item preiditically, if not replace it it will more corrosion generate inside engine after certain of time, spark plug is should be replace as per time to time because this is worn out and corrosion affect after 1 to 2 years if you drive less this item should be replace for enhance the performance.
Manufacturer recommendations
If you maintain as per the manufacturer’s recommended spark plug brand, it’s good. If you replace a non-genuine plug, it can affect the engine performance, meaning engine jerking, missfiring, vibration, some sometimes a little or minor vibration occurs.
FAQs About Spark Plug Replacement:
- How often should spark plugs?
Generally, between 30,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on the type, copper, iridium, and platinum depend on model to model.
2) How often should spark plugs be changed?
Engine misfiring and vibration are the main reasons for a faulty spark plug. Old vehicles have a distributor type; these types of vehicles mostly have spark plug cords or wires that are faulty, or damaged wires, either inside the distributor cap, or worn out at the tip of the touch point.
3) How often should you change your spark plugs?
Every routine check during scheduled maintenance can help you avoid engine issues. The spark plug should be changed if the engine misfires, jerks, and vibration, the spark plug tip is broken, either an insulator crack or carbon and corrosion affects.
4) Spark plug change interval km?
Spark plug should be changed in small sedan and hatchback models every 30000 to 40000 miles if fitted with a continental-style less price spark plug fixed in car, if suv or pick up cars there mostly fixed iridium types spark plug you can change this every 70000 to 80000 miles, better once to check owner’s manual there mention standard distance drive after replace the spark plug.
5) Signs you need new spark plugs?
If a vehicle has driven 40000 miles, either vehicle in the service centre is going for a major service as per the schedule, and at that time needs to spark plug for safety, like reducing the vehicle breakdown possibility. Either you can change it while the vehicle is jerking or misfiring at slow or high speed.
6) When to change spark plugs toyota?
Toyota spark plugs, like Corolla Altis, are mostly changed in 60000 miles, as per the brand recommendation for a smooth driving experience at all times. Also, change engine oil and check the drive belt condition, like whether any cut marks are there or any damage.
7) How long does it take to change spark plugs?
This depends on the vehicle brand and model, and which type of spark plug used on this model, like Nissan Altima spark plug, replace every 30000 miles other hand, Nissan Titan 105000 miles. These details are mentioned in the car owner’s manual.