How Often to Change Spark Plugs

Close up of a mechanic's hand testing a spark plug
 

Without spark plugs, your vehicle won’t go anywhere on San Jose roads. They ignite the gas-air mixture in the combustion chamber, literally providing the spark that moves the pistons up and down. Do you wonder how often to change the spark plugs in your vehicle? Experts generally recommend replacing spark plugs every 30,000 miles.

 

 

But, how often are spark plugs changed may vary depending on your exact model. Check your owner’s manual or driver’s information center to find out more about your spark plugs. How often do you need to change spark plugs? Find out with our handy guide. Then, contact our Capitol Acura service center if you need help with your spark plugs. We’re happy to assist in any way we can!

When to Change Spark Plugs

Your spark plugs work by moving high-voltage current from the ignition coil, which is connected to one end of the spark plugs, to ignite the combustion chamber as soon as you start your vehicle. Here’s how this works. Fuel injectors atomize gasoline in the chamber, and then air gets added. The spark plugs ignite the gas by regulating the voltage from the ignition coils.

The tiny explosion pushes the pistons downward in the right order to send power to the transmission and hence the wheels to move your car forward on Santa Clara drives. If the spark plugs in your vehicle don’t function properly, you’ll notice problems in the performance of your vehicle. You might see issues such as the following when your spark plugs don’t work correctly:

  • Slow or no start
  • Engine misfire
  • Engine is running rough
  • Rough idling
  • Poor acceleration
  • High fuel consumption
  • Worse fuel efficiency

Benefits of Changing Your Spark Plugs

So, how often to change spark plugs also depends on when they start to degrade. However, you might consider changing your spark plugs before they stop working with regular tune-ups at least once a year.

Changing the spark plugs regularly helps you prevent those problems we mentioned but also prevents some problems later on. As you find out how often to change spark plugs as part of a preventative maintenance schedule for your new vehicle, you could receive some cost-saving benefits by taking care of this sooner rather than later.

This is what you get from new spark plugs:

  • Improved fuel economy – A worn-out spark plug could reduce your fuel economy by as much as 30% when you’re driving around Milpitas. Replacing a bad spark plug can help get higher fuel economy and put your gas mileage back where it needs to be.
  • Consistent combustion system – Spark plugs continually produce combustion and leave your vehicle’s system running properly. Without a working spark plug, your combustion won’t run consistently like it needs to. The combustion chambers must fire hundreds of times a minute to keep the pistons churning within your engine.
  • Your Vehicle Starts Smoothly – Your vehicle starts effortlessly when all of the spark plugs in your vehicle are working properly. Bad spark plugs can keep your engine silent.
  • Less harmful emissions – Spark plugs help increase your gas mileage, and as such they also improve your emissions to lower your carbon footprint. You’ll also see fewer trips to the gas station, which saves you money.

Get New Spark Plugs Installed at Capitol Acura

Now you know how often spark plugs are changed, schedule a service appointment or call (855) 738-4869 to bring your vehicle in for service if you think your vehicle needs new spark plugs. We service new Acura vehicles and any make and model to make sure your vehicle runs properly.

Our experienced technicians will evaluate and repair your vehicle as soon as we can! We also service tires, brakes, batteries, and radiators, as well as perform oil changes. Our San Jose team is happy to help keep your vehicle in great shape!

 

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