How Often to Change Spark Plugs

Spark plugs ignite the gas-air mixture in the combustion chamber to activate the tiny explosions that move the engine pistons down to create the power to move the car forward during Fairmont drives. Do you wonder how often to change the spark plugs? Experts generally recommend replacing spark plugs every 30,000 miles for best results because if a spark plug isn’t in working order, it can cause a reduction in gas mileage and engine problems later on. 

How often you change your spark plugs may vary depending on your exact make and model. Check your owner’s manual for more information about your spark plugs. Find out how often to change spark plugs and when to get new spark plugs with our handy guide. Then, contact our Dan Cava's GMC service center if you need help with your spark plugs or any other component of your vehicle. We’re happy to assist in any way we can! 

How Spark Plugs Work to Run Your Vehicle’s Engine

Your vehicle’s spark plugs work by moving high-voltage current from the ignition coil, which is connected to one end of the component, to ignite the combustion chamber as soon as you start your vehicle. Fuel injectors atomize gasoline in the chamber to create a fine mist that is easily ignited by a single spark. Then air gets added because you need oxygen to combine with the fuel.

The spark plugs ignite the gas by regulating the voltage from the ignition coils and releasing a small spark into the ignition chamber. Each tiny yet pressurized explosion works in concert to push the pistons downward in the right order to send power to the transmission and hence the wheels to move your car forward. Over the course of 30,000 miles on Morgantown roads, you can understand that these little components do a lot of work for your internal combustion engine!

When Do I Change Spark Plugs? 

If the spark plugs in your vehicle don’t function properly, you’ll notice problems in the performance of your vehicle during Grafton adventures. That’s why you need to replace the spark plugs before they develop into any significant problems. You might see issues such as:

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

Benefits of Changing Your Spark Plugs

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 completely with regular tune-ups at least once a year. Our service center team can examine the spark plugs for any signs of degradation to make sure they work in top condition. 

Changing the spark plugs regularly helps you prevent those problems we mentioned but also prevents other 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 might see some cost-saving benefits by taking care of the spark plugs before they are ready for replacement. 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% because of how they regulate the pistons. For example, if you get 20 miles per gallon, you’ll get around 14 miles per gallon with a worn-out spark plug. Replacing a bad spark plug can help get higher fuel economy and put your gas mileage back to 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, which could cause problems with the 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 from turning over because the electricity isn’t reaching the combustion chamber correctly.
• 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 see fewer trips to the gas station and emit less carbon monoxide into the atmosphere from your internal combustion engine.

Get New Spark Plugs Installed at Dan Cava's GMC

Now you know how often to change spark plugs in your vehicle. Schedule a service appointment or call (304) 931-4650 to bring your vehicle in for service if you think your vehicle needs new spark plugs or any other service. New spark plugs won’t take very long for our Bridgeport team to handle. 

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 team is happy to help you get the most out of your vehicle ownership.