Improve Performance: Change Your Spark Plugs

With gas prices as expensive as they are and with auto repair prices so costly, those that own vehicles should and can learn to do some of their own maintenance and repairs on their own. Vehicle owners can easily complete some of these repairs for half if not a quarter of the cost that they would pay a professional and most of it is not difficult and can be done by someone that knows very little about the way a car works. If you can put gas in your car or drive a manual transmission, chances are you can change your own spark plugs. Why should you complete this repair on your own? Because the spark plugs are an important part of your engine and it will affect the overall performance if this repair is not made, and it’s quite simple!

Replacing your spark plugs will help you maximize the fuel efficiency of your vehicle as well as provide peak engine performance throughout the life of your vehicle. You will want to complete this repair every 2 years or every 30,000 miles, which ever comes first. Many vehicles can go longer, but generally it’s a good idea to perform this repair before needed.

What You Will Need

• 3/8 drive spark plug socket, extension, and ratchet
• New spark plugs
• Spark plug gaping gauge
• Clean rag

Changing Your Spark Plugs

First, it’s important that you get the right spark plugs for your car. Your owner’s manual can probably clue you in to what type you need, otherwise you can look under the hood of your car and it should be stated with the engine specifications. If you do not get the correct plugs you may run into a problem.

First, be sure that your engine is cold so that you do not hurt yourself. Now, locate the spark plug (refer to your owner manual for location) and grab the plug wire by the boot. You’ll then pull the spark plug wire from the end of the spark plug, but be sure not to pull on the actual wire. If the boot seems to stick or be resistant, twist the boot to the left and right and pull the plug wire off. Clean the spark plug area with your clean rag.

Now, remove the plug by turning it slowly counterclockwise with your spark plug socket. Once it is loose, you can usually get it out in three to four turns. Gap the new plug with your spark plug gap gauge. You’ll then want to slip the wire or feeler between the inner and outer electrodes at the tip of the plug. You will know when the plugs are properly gapped because the wire or feeler will slide between the electrodes with a slight drag. If you find that your gap is not right, you can bend the outer electrode gently until you find the right gap. You will want to be sure that the outer electrode is right over the inner electrode.

After you have completed that process you will want to look at the cylinder head threads. If the threads are clean you’ll have an easy time screwing the new spark plug in the cylinder head with your hand. When you are screwing there should not be any issues getting it on, if there are, you may want to wipe all components down with your clean rag. Now you will insert the plug into the hole and turn it clockwise until it fits snugly. After you have tightened by hand you should then use a socket wrench to tighten a bit more to ensure that all is well.

Lastly, you will reattach the plug wire to the new plug. You’ll want to sort of twist the boot until it is on top of the plug properly. You will probably hear a click when the wire clamps onto the spark plug, and that is when you will know that it is attached properly.

Tips

It is a good idea to do just one plug at a time so you don’t get overwhelmed or get things mixed up. As you get more experience with this auto repair/maintenance issue you might be able to do several at one time, but it is a good idea to start with just one.

The first time you do this on your own you may want to have a friend or family member that knows how to complete the process on call or with you to give you some tips. The process will take you about an hour and someone to guide you may help reduce the pressure and allow you to enjoy the process instead of stressing over every little thing. Remember, that changing your spark plugs is a necessary repair that is fairly easy to do, but only practice will make perfect!