Why Do You Need to Change Your Spark Plugs?

Question

When should you change your spark plugs?

Answer 1

WHY? Just imagine 45,000 volts shooting through an electric device 50 to 200 times per second for months and years. Eventually anything with that much energy shooting through it will break. Sometimes the spark plug will look fine from the out side, but conductors may not be able to carry all the energy every single time - anymore.

And given that the spark plugs are only about $5 each, it is a wise investment to change them just once in a while. Any time these parts fail, you are going to be chasing ghost and spending money (to mechanics) trying to figure out.

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Modern plugs (platinum tips) last very long time - about 5 years or 50,000 miles. Some people won't even bother waiting that long and swap them out at 30,000 miles. That decision is up to you. My advice is to do it at least every 50K mile.

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Answer 2

Today's cars can go for 30,000, 50,000, or even 100,000 miles before they need new spark plugs.

Their purpose is to ignites the air fuel mixture and thus the engine runs. If you do not get a good spark, the the engine does not run well and use more fuel, misfire and can cause catalytic converter damage.
Check the owners manual for the proper service time for this or see a high quality shop. They will have the answer as to when the plugs should be changed.

Answer 3

Spark plugs like anything else will wear out. When you install new ones you have to gauge the gap between the anode and the electrode. This is a fairly critical measurement. This plug will have an arc on it when the plug fires, so you are burning the metals away. Slowly, but still wearing the metal away. After about 100,000 miles, the gap has grown too wide and the plugs should be replaced.

The older cars used to have to replace the plugs about every 10 or 15,000 miles. The plugs were not as good and the fuel was not burning as efficient. good luck.

Answer 4

Like all things man makes, they wear out. I'm not going to bore you with how they wear out but trust me they do, most spark plugs are good for about 60,000 miles on the car, the cars that have 100,000 miles schedules should really have the plugs checked every 50,000 and replaced at 100,000. The reason I say this is with the constant heating and cooling of the motor, by the time you reach the 100,000 miles, the plugs are so tight in side the head that often times damage is caused removing the plugs. a simple check of the plugs will prevent this from occurring. (Something the owners manual doesn't explain to you) as far as changing them to maintain optimum gas mileage, you should change all plugs (yes even platinum) at 60,000 miles. this assures the best spark for your engine.

Answer 5

Spark plugs should be changed according to the manufacturers recommendation. Usually it is between 30-48k miles for not platinum spark plugs. Platinum or Iridium plugs can last upwards of 100k miles. You need to change them for optimum engine performance. The spark plugs ignites the compressed fuel and air mixture. Without good spark plugs your engine may not run to its optimum. Usually engine performance decreases while fuel consumption increases.

Answer 6

Car spark plugs wear out causing the car to start misfiring and running poorly, not start easily, seem sluggish when driving and gasoline consumption will go up. Spark plugs need to be changed about every 15,000 miles.

Answer 7

Dear Sparky-

Now this is what I call a common sense question. I like these.

Its about fuel efficency and keeping your emissions levels low.

The Ford Man, said it, and I agree with it.

Change them to keep your car in tune. Keeping them changes and your vehicle serviced, saves you gas at the pump, keeps the engine running clean, and helps keep the air quality good for others.

More than than though. You paid good money for that car you are driving right?

It makes good common sence to take care of it.

Answer 8

You need to change them because they get fowled and warn out. Most need to be changed around 100k miles most mechanics will say around 60.

Answer 9

In time the electrodes become burned and pitted. This causes the car to run less efficiently.

Answer 10

sorry but if you need to ask, don't do it. it's easy but you need mechanical ability and a pretty common ratchet wrench with an extention and plug socket.