The number of spark plugs you have under the hood depends on your engine size, but most vehicles have at least four, and some as many as sixteen. The spark plug has one end that takes in electricity to create a spark at the other end.
This spark will ignite the air and gas in the cylinders, creating combustion and fire up your engine. As you drive, the spark plugs keep firing and igniting to keep your engine running.
For the most part, changing spark plugs is rather simple. However, in some vehicles, it can be more involved. It really depends on where they are located under the hood and if there are any obstacles such as large parts or components are in the way of getting to them. Keep in mind that the vast majority of spark plugs offer similar although not necessarily identical construction.
In the accompanying photos, you can see what many of the above spark plug features actually look like. Check them out. Ribs: Insulator ribs provide added protection against secondary voltage or spark flashover and also help to improve the grip of the rubber spark plug boot against the plug body.
The insulator body is molded from aluminum oxide ceramic. In order to manufacture this part of the spark plug, a high-pressure, dry molding system is utilized. After the insulator is molded, it is kiln-fired to a temperature that exceeds the melting point of steel. This process results in a component that features exceptional dielectric strength, high thermal conductivity and excellent resistance to shock.
Insulator: The insulator body is molded from aluminum oxide ceramic. The pointer shows the spark plug insulator. As mentioned above, it is formed from aluminum oxide ceramic. The outer surface is ribbed to provide grip for the spark plug boot and to simultaneously add protection from spark flashover crossfire. Hex: The hexagon provides the contact point for a socket wrench. The hex size is basically uniform in the industry and is generally related to the spark plug thread size.
Sense it. When spark plugs begin to misfire, you may notice unusual noises from the force of the pistons and combustion not working properly. Pistons travel at high velocities. If the spark plug fires at the wrong time, this could lead to constant rattling, pinging or knocking sounds. Hard vehicle start. If your car is having trouble starting or just feels disjointed and jerky, your spark plugs may not be working right, and this can lead to misfires and erratic performance. Reduced performance.
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Find Store. Find a Different Location Find a Store. Do you want to change your Preferred Store? Yes No. This site uses cookies to enhance your user experience. By continuing to browse our website, you agree to use these cookies. For more information on what cookies we use and how to manage these cookies please visit our Privacy policy. Modern spark plugs are sold pre-gapped. Nonetheless, the gap is always checked before a new set of spark plugs are installed as an incorrect gap will cause engine issues such as loss of power, misfires , and poor gas mileage.
You will know if the spark plug gap is set correctly by inspecting them. An incorrectly gapped plug may show burnt or dirty electrodes, along with the familiar signs of worn spark plugs such as an engine that is missing or hesitating, or exhibits a knocking or pinging noise. You can also check the spark plug gap using a gap gauge or feeler gauge tool. If the measurements are not equal, the spark plug is not properly gapped.
If you do not have experience removing and installing spark plugs, we strongly advise booking an appointment to have a professional assist you. Manufacturers like NGK, Bosch, and Denso give their spark plugs different characteristics by manufacturing them from different materials. Although they all perform the same function, they were designed with different applications and engines in mind. For a long time, copper spark plugs were the industry standard, and the most common and affordable type of spark plug used.
They get their name from their copper, nickel-coated inner core. The soft nature of copper and nickel means copper spark plugs have a short life-span due and are unsuitable for vehicles that use high-energy distributor based ignition systems.
As their name suggests, platinum spark plugs have a platinum center electrode. Platinum is a harder metal than copper which gives the spark plug greater longevity. They can operate efficiently at a wider temperature range and generate more heat than copper spark plugs which reduces carbon build-up.
Single platinum spark plugs have a platinum center electrode, but double platinum spark plugs also use platinum on the ground electrode. They are pricier, but offer another step up in both performance and longevity.
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