How to install spark plugs—keep your engine purring.

Although small in size, spark plugs are very vital to your car. They give your motor the necessary sparks that ignite the fuel mix to keep your running powerfully and efficiently. New spark plugs can improve performance, gas mileage, and even extend the life of your vehicle. In this step-by-step, we will let you know how you can easily and safely replace your car's spark plugs.

Benefits of New Spark Plugs 

Old, worn-out spark plugs show in a variety of ways: from poor gas mileage to the loss of power, maybe even misfires. New spark plug can actually work wonders for your engine's performance. Among other advantages of new spark plugs, there is increased acceleration, smoother idle, and improvement in fuel economy.

Spark Plug Innovations

In the case of power, the modern spark plug rides on improved durability and increments in efficiency that have greatly lessened the spreewise emissions generated by an internal combustion engine. Those will be products designed, produced, and launched into the market by major producers such as NGK, Bosch, and Champion—highly technical makers of best spark plugs developing new materials for their electrodes like iridium, platinum, or ceramics. The advantages that they have over the standard copper tip spark plugs are longer life, better conductivity, and superior heat dissipation.

Safety First

Before starting to work on replacing your spark plugs, make sure that your car is on a level surface and has been left off for some time. Other precautions include protective gear like gloves and safety glasses; just in case something goes awry, never service the engine while it is running. Always consult your vehicle owner's manual for reviewing specific safety precautions.

How to Service and gap Your Spark Plugs

Only the brand, make, and model of the vehicle, plus, of course, the usual type of driving, will change the life expectancy accordingly. Average replacement intervals range between 30,000 and 100,000 miles. Spark plugs can easily be replaced at home with basic tools or by a professional mechanic.

Remove the Old Spark Plug

The spark plug is always located near the top of the motor, connected with the spark plug wires. Perfectly twist the spark plug counterclockwise to loosen it from its socket, then pull out the plug using a car plugs socket and wrench. Be extra cautious not to damage the threads in the cylinder head back, or the spark plug itself.

Inspect Old Spark Plug

Now, after removing the old spark plug, inspect if it has any sign of wear. If it's covered with oil or is full of carbon deposits, or even corroded electrodes, then know it is due for a new one.

Install the New Spark Plug

Before you install a new spark plug, consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the correct gap distance for your spark plug. Then, use a gap gauge at the right distance. Generically, it would be anywhere between 0.028 to 0.060 inches.

Screw the new plug back in place using a socket wrench and its spark plug socket until seated, then hand tighten until snug. Finally, tighten the spark plug to recommended torque specification given by your vehicle's manufacturer with your torque wrench.

Spark Plug Wire Reinstall

Once you've fitted the new spark plug, attach again your spark plug wire just by pressing it on to the terminal until you hear a click, then do this for each spark plug and wire.

Quality and Application

There are just so many different kinds of spark plugs available in the market today that it is getting hard to choose which one to purchase for your engine application. Select spark plugs designed for proper application for your vehicle's make and model. This will ensure perfect fitting and hence ensure efficiency in its work. Always buy from reputable manufacturers and suppliers to ensure that you are buying a high quality and reliable spark plug. Spark plug replacement with high-quality ones enables the elongation of other engine component lives—for instance, catalytic converters and oxygen sensors.