How often and when do I need to change the spark plugs

The engine is the heart of your car. Various factors can affect its uninterrupted operation, including breakdowns of parts or their untimely replacement. One of the key in this regard are the spark plugs. It is important to change them on time, exactly when we will tell. If this is not done, the consequences can be very dire. For a start, it is the deterioration of the engine, and then stop the car and then overhaul.

A bit of theory

Before answering the question of how often you need to change the spark plugs, it is worth a little to figure out why it is needed at all. Here the rule “How many people, so many opinions” is implemented to some extent. Some auto mechanics say one thing, others - another. The most important factor affecting the frequency of replacement of this component of the engine and their durability, will initially be their quality.Some will be enough only for 10 thousand kilometers, others - 10 times more.

Types of spark plugs:

• ordinary;
• platinum;
• iridium.

By the name of each you can understand what material the electrode is made of. In ordinary it is copper, in platinum and iridium, of course, from platinum and iridium. There are such ordinary candles that are covered with iridium alloy - it helps to prolong their service life. Platinum candles have such advantages: since this metal is resistant to corrosive effects, it can serve much longer, since it almost does not fade. Iridium have similar capabilities. The best are those candles, the electrodes which are made from an alloy of iridium and platinum.

Since the candles are located inside the engine, it is impossible to see their wear without removing, and therefore disconnecting from the system. But any automaker understands this, and therefore in the instructions for motor transport you can learn some nuances about the control of wear.

Spark plug lifetime

The service life will depend on many factors, manufacturers determine it depending on the material used to manufacture the electrode.For ordinary people, it’s about 50 thousand kilometers, platinum and iridium are about 90 thousand (but with stable driving, good fuel and optimal climatic conditions).

How often to change the spark plugs

According to the rules of car maintenance should be carried out at least 10-15 thousand kilometers. It is within this framework of the automaster that they recommend changing candles. If there is any doubt about how worn the candles are, you can simply unscrew and check their condition after 15 thousand runs. The wear of candles will be affected by such factors:

• Driving style
• Brand and type of candles themselves
• General condition of the engine

And, also, the quality and brand of fuel used (the worse the gasoline, the more often it will be necessary to change the spark plugs). Therefore, we do not recommend refueling at suspicious gas stations. If you decide to do differently, then it is likely that you will receive dubious savings, since such stations are not able to operate under competitive conditions, they add additives, resins, etc. And this, of course, wears candles faster.

Signs that it's time to change candles

If you started to notice some malfunctions in your car, then it is worth checking how the candles feel there, and possibly replace them. Signs:

1. Complicated engine start.It looks like this: the starter works, but at the same time the engine either does not start at all, or starts with difficulty, only after a long “torment” of the starter.
2. Motor "troit" - twitches while driving, which can especially be felt when idling. It is also reduced power and thrust.
3. A marked deterioration in the dynamic characteristics of the motor. It is difficult for him to develop momentum, and as a result, power is reduced.
4. The increase in fuel consumption, as well as an increase in the amount of CO in the exhaust may indicate a problem with the spark.

How to control the candles

If you notice that the engine is troit, typical vibrations, noise and instability have appeared, try driving the car to the garage and independently assess the condition of the candles.

To do this, determine the electrode gap, its size, carbon deposits on it. In order to understand the large or small gap, you need to look into the instructions for the candle that is installed. Having learned their size, with the help of this information, you can decide whether a replacement is necessary. If the gap is more than necessary - this means that the resource of the candle has exhausted itself, and its replacement is necessary.

Regarding soot - ideally, it should not be at all, if it is still there, it indicates that the fuel burns incorrectly. Monitor the integrity of the ceramic insulators, they should not be any defects and cracks. If you have these problems, then you should not experiment: go to the car-care center, as you need a detailed diagnosis of problems.

What will lead to the late replacement of candles

One of the most unpleasant consequences of a malfunction of candles and the lack of replacement can be a detonation in the combustion chamber. This may entail the propagation of a shock wave throughout the mixture, as a result: a detonation of the charge of the cylinder. When this happens, you will hear a ringing metallic sound. If the detonation is strong, the engine power will drop, black smoke will go out from the exhaust. Such an impact can lead to serious malfunctions of the motor.

Spark plugs - an important component in the engine, they must be replaced in a timely manner. Monitoring the status of these parts can be carried out independently, as well as replacement. It is important to know exactly how the car will “behave” in the event of a malfunction.

Video: Spark Plug Replacement