Spark Plug Basics: Your Questions Answered

1. What do spark plugs do?

Now, combustion requires a spark. Spark plugs are a crucial part of your engine because they're what makes that combustion happen, both at ignition and while the engine moves through each combustion cycle during operation. When the plugs aren’t doing their job, your engine's not getting the full combustion benefit. Everything from acceleration and fuel economy to engine smoothness is going to be negatively affected.

How do I know when to replace spark plugs?

Your spark plugs should be changed at the interval given in your owner's manual, and this can vary widely based on the type of plug your vehicle uses. In older or high performance vehicles, you may be changing your plugs every 20,000-30,000 miles. If you drive at moderate speeds and under moderate acceleration, your plugs may last 40,000 miles or more while still operating efficiently. Newer vehicles, on the other hand, may use plugs that last anywhere from 60,000-120,000 miles. Regardless of what kind you use, though, you want to replace them on time because spark plugs are such an important part of keeping your engine running at maximum power.

3. How much are spark plugs?

Spark plugs are one of the most affordable parts on your vehicle. The cost will vary by type, though. Of the four common types of spark plug, copper is the most economical, followed by single platinum, double platinum and finally iridium.

4. Can I clean my spark plugs?

You’ll find various home remedies for cleaning spark plugs, but we strongly recommend just swapping them out if they’re that dirty. From a money perspective, spark plugs are a car owner’s dream, because they’re an essential engine part that’s also inexpensive.

5. Do DIESEL ENGINES Have Spark Plugs?

Diesel engines don't have spark plugs. Although a diesel engine does rely on combustion, the spark plug isn't necessary because higher compression heats up the air in the chamber so much that combustion occurs without the assistance of a spark.

How to Change Spark Plugs?

It’s a good idea to regularly change your spark plugs according to the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual. But if your vehicle is misfiring, losing power, or using more fuel than normal, your spark plugs might need to be changed earlier than expected.

If you don’t have time to go to a professional, or want to tackle this simple DIY job at home, here’s how to change a spark plug.

1. Gather the Necessary Tools

Changing a spark plug requires at least the following tools:

• A special socket that is deep enough to accommodate the plug
• An interior rubber gasket that protects the tip of the plug from damage
• A spark-plug gapping tool to check the spacing between the electrode and the ground strap against your vehicle’s specifications.

The most common spark plug socket sizes are 5/8 inch and 13/16 inch.

2. Make Sure the Engine Is Cold

A hot engine can burn your skin. On top of that, changing a spark plug with a warm engine head can damage the threads that hold it in place.

3. Disconnect the Battery

When working on any aspect of an engine’s electrical system, it’s always a good idea to disconnect the battery terminals to prevent accidental short circuits.

4. Remove Spark-Plug Wires or Coil-On-Plug Connectors

Older vehicles use spark-plug wires that connect them to the ignition system. Many newer models rely on a coil-on-plug design, which gives each individual spark plug its own ignition coil. Regardless of the design on your vehicle, each must be removed prior to replacing your spark plugs.

Spark-plug wires are removed with a simple straight-up pulling motion, holding on to the boot that slips over the plug itself. Remember to label each wire to keep them in the correct order for reinstallation. Coil-on-plug connectors often feature a locking tab that you may have to depress with a screwdriver in order to release before you’re able to pull the connectors off—be sure to label them carefully for reinstallation.

5. Remove Spark Plug With Socket

Fit the spark-plug socket over the protruding plug and gently unscrew it from the engine using a counter-clockwise motion. Too much force can crack the plug and cause pieces to fall into the engine. Do your best to ensure no debris enters the spark-plug hole when you lift it out.

6. Examine the Spark Plug

By determining the condition of the spark plug you’re changing out, you can gain insight into how your engine is performing and help diagnose any potential problems.

7. Install New Spark Plug

Thread a new spark plug into the cavity where you removed the old one, being careful not to cross-thread or force in the plug. Screw it in until finger tight, then use your socket to give it another half-turn. With most brands of spark plugs, rubbing a little anti-seize lubricant on the threads can help ensure that the spark plugs will be easy to remove the next time.

8. Reattach Wires / Coil-On-Plug Connectors / Battery

Wrap up your installation by reinstalling the vehicle’s spark-plug wires or coil-on-plug connectors in the correct order, and then reconnect the battery. 

Spark Plug Basics: Your Questions Answered

1. What do spark plugs do?

Now, combustion requires a spark. Spark plugs are a crucial part of your engine because they're what makes that combustion happen, both at ignition and while the engine moves through each combustion cycle during operation. When the plugs aren’t doing their job, your engine's not getting the full combustion benefit. Everything from acceleration and fuel economy to engine smoothness is going to be negatively affected.

How do I know when to replace spark plugs?

Your spark plugs should be changed at the interval given in your owner's manual, and this can vary widely based on the type of plug your vehicle uses. In older or high performance vehicles, you may be changing your plugs every 20,000-30,000 miles. If you drive at moderate speeds and under moderate acceleration, your plugs may last 40,000 miles or more while still operating efficiently. Newer vehicles, on the other hand, may use plugs that last anywhere from 60,000-120,000 miles. Regardless of what kind you use, though, you want to replace them on time because spark plugs are such an important part of keeping your engine running at maximum power.

3. How much are spark plugs?

Spark plugs are one of the most affordable parts on your vehicle. The cost will vary by type, though. Of the four common types of spark plug, copper is the most economical, followed by single platinum, double platinum and finally iridium.

4. Can I clean my spark plugs?

You’ll find various home remedies for cleaning spark plugs, but we strongly recommend just swapping them out if they’re that dirty. From a money perspective, spark plugs are a car owner’s dream, because they’re an essential engine part that’s also inexpensive.

5. Do DIESEL ENGINES Have Spark Plugs?

Diesel engines don't have spark plugs. Although a diesel engine does rely on combustion, the spark plug isn't necessary because higher compression heats up the air in the chamber so much that combustion occurs without the assistance of a spark.

How to Change Spark Plugs?

It’s a good idea to regularly change your spark plugs according to the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual. But if your vehicle is misfiring, losing power, or using more fuel than normal, your spark plugs might need to be changed earlier than expected.

If you don’t have time to go to a professional, or want to tackle this simple DIY job at home, here’s how to change a spark plug.

1. Gather the Necessary Tools

Changing a spark plug requires at least the following tools:

• A special socket that is deep enough to accommodate the plug
• An interior rubber gasket that protects the tip of the plug from damage
• A spark-plug gapping tool to check the spacing between the electrode and the ground strap against your vehicle’s specifications.

The most common spark plug socket sizes are 5/8 inch and 13/16 inch.

2. Make Sure the Engine Is Cold

A hot engine can burn your skin. On top of that, changing a spark plug with a warm engine head can damage the threads that hold it in place.

3. Disconnect the Battery

When working on any aspect of an engine’s electrical system, it’s always a good idea to disconnect the battery terminals to prevent accidental short circuits.

4. Remove Spark-Plug Wires or Coil-On-Plug Connectors

Older vehicles use spark-plug wires that connect them to the ignition system. Many newer models rely on a coil-on-plug design, which gives each individual spark plug its own ignition coil. Regardless of the design on your vehicle, each must be removed prior to replacing your spark plugs.

Spark-plug wires are removed with a simple straight-up pulling motion, holding on to the boot that slips over the plug itself. Remember to label each wire to keep them in the correct order for reinstallation. Coil-on-plug connectors often feature a locking tab that you may have to depress with a screwdriver in order to release before you’re able to pull the connectors off—be sure to label them carefully for reinstallation.

5. Remove Spark Plug With Socket

Fit the spark-plug socket over the protruding plug and gently unscrew it from the engine using a counter-clockwise motion. Too much force can crack the plug and cause pieces to fall into the engine. Do your best to ensure no debris enters the spark-plug hole when you lift it out.

6. Examine the Spark Plug

By determining the condition of the spark plug you’re changing out, you can gain insight into how your engine is performing and help diagnose any potential problems.

7. Install New Spark Plug

Thread a new spark plug into the cavity where you removed the old one, being careful not to cross-thread or force in the plug. Screw it in until finger tight, then use your socket to give it another half-turn. With most brands of spark plugs, rubbing a little anti-seize lubricant on the threads can help ensure that the spark plugs will be easy to remove the next time.

8. Reattach Wires / Coil-On-Plug Connectors / Battery

Wrap up your installation by reinstalling the vehicle’s spark-plug wires or coil-on-plug connectors in the correct order, and then reconnect the battery.