Maintenance Guide

The function of the spark plug is to ignite. When the cylinder runs to the top dead center, the gasoline can be burned to generate energy through the ignition of the spark plug. Therefore, the stronger the ignition ability of the spark plug, the better.

If the ignition ability of the spark plug is poor, the optimal ignition time will be missed. This can result in incomplete combustion of gasoline, and the burned gasoline is not completely used for work.

The intuitive feeling is that the car has insufficient power, high fuel consumption, and a large number of invisible carbon deposits. Replacing spark plugs is considered a routine maintenance item and needs to be replaced regularly, so how many kilometers should be replaced? What symptoms mean the spark plug should be replaced?

Section 01

Replacement interval

How Many Kilometers Before Replacing Spark Plugs?

There is an approximate number of kilometers. Normal spark plugs can be replaced at about 40,000 kilometers, and platinum spark plugs can be replaced with 80,000 to 100,000 kilometers. It is sufficient to follow this number of kilometers in the regular use of a car.

Many maintenance manuals suggest that the replacement mileage is shorter than this number of kilometers. Normal spark plugs are required to be replaced at 30,000 kilometers. You can extend the kilometers appropriately because most cars have good ignition performance for 30,000 kilometers of spark plugs.

The reason why the manufacturer requested the replacement early is that the 30,000-kilometer car is still relatively new, and the car should be kept in very good condition to enhance the car’s reputation.

Section 02

Use conditions

When Spark Plugs May Need Earlier Replacement

The above kilometers are in the case of normal car use. If the driving is very violent, or if the car is used to pull goods and people are often full, the spark plugs need to be replaced in advance.

In addition, it is common for the spark plug to be broken. Many old drivers do not change spark plugs for a long time and do not change them when they reach the kilometer. They think they can be used if they are not broken, and they do not change until a certain spark plug is broken. Some even replace only the broken one.

This is an incorrect way to maintain a car. Even if the spark plug is not broken, the power and fuel consumption will be affected after the ignition ability is reduced. The change may drop a little every day, so it is prolonged and easy not to notice.

Section 03

Failure symptoms

Symptoms That May Mean the Spark Plug Should Be Replaced

If one of the spark plugs is broken, the phenomenon is that the engine shakes severely, and the acceleration is obviously weak. Because there is one less cylinder to work, the work is naturally not stable, and the power drops.

The common symptoms also include unstable idling, poor ignition, increased fuel consumption, and decreased power. If these phenomena occur, the spark plug may have reached the replacement cycle.

When the spark plug should be replaced, the common phenomena are:

  • Engine jitter.
  • Unstable idling.
  • Poor ignition.
  • Increased fuel consumption.
  • Decreased power.

If these phenomena occur and the spark plug has reached the replacement cycle, first consider replacing the spark plug.

Section 04

Inspection method

How to Check a Suspected Broken Spark Plug

If there is a computer tester, it is easy to detect which cylinder is not working. If there is no computer tester, you can pull out the cylinder wires one by one to test.

After pulling out the cylinder wire of a certain cylinder, if the shaking becomes more serious, it means that the spark plug of this cylinder is not broken. If the severity of the jitter does not change, it means that the spark plug of this cylinder is broken, and it can be disassembled for inspection.

Remove the spark plug and observe the spark plug’s electrode to determine the combustion status of the cylinder. If the electrode is very clean and yellowish-brown, it means that the burning condition is good. If there is a carbon deposit on the electrode and it is black, it indicates that the cylinder is not burning well.

In addition to replacing the spark plug, check for other faults. There is another standard for judging whether to replace or not: look at the electrode gap. If the gap becomes larger, you need to replace it. But first, you need to know how large the electrode gap of the new spark plug is. Only after comparing it can you know whether it has become larger.

Section 05

Single plug or full set

Should You Replace One Spark Plug or All of Them?

If the spark plug is broken before it reaches the number of kilometers to be replaced, generally only one broken one can be replaced. If it is close to the number of kilometers to be replaced, it is recommended to replace all of them.

For example, if the spark plug should be replaced at 100,000 kilometers and one of them is broken at 80,000 kilometers, it is recommended to replace all of them. If one of them is broken at 60,000 kilometers, only one can be replaced.

There is no specific kilometer standard for whether all should be replaced. If one of them is broken, two other spark plugs should be removed for inspection. If the combustion is in good condition and the gap is not large, there is no need to replace them. The replacement must be checked first.

Recommended Tool

Spark plug testing

AUTOOL SPT360 Car Spark Plug Tester

AUTOOL SPT360 Car Spark Plug Tester is for testing the performance and strength of spark plugs. The product simulates actual engine conditions and works up to 6000rpm.

It is compatible with all spark plug tests for crankshaft engines and motorcycles on the market. It can also test two holes at the same time and is designed with a protective cover to ensure the safe operation of maintenance personnel during the test. AUTOOL SPT101 is your great assistant for testing spark plugs!

Need to Check Spark Plug Performance?

Use a tester to compare spark plug ignition strength and confirm whether replacement is needed.

View SPT360

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