Spark plugs are the core components of the engine ignition system, directly affecting the vehicle's power, fuel consumption and emissions. The following are the issues that car owners are often concerned about, including purchase, use, maintenance and troubleshooting.

 1. Purchase and Matching

Model Matching: Spark plugs must match the engine model and year. Key parameters include calorific value, thread size and electrode gap.

Material Selection:

Copper/Nickel Alloy: Low cost, short life (30,000-50,000 km).

Platinum: More durable, stable ignition (60,000-80,000 km).

Iridium: High performance, long life (80,000-100,000 km), suitable for high-demand models.

Brand Recommendation: Products from major manufacturers such as NGK, Bosch, and Denso are more reliable.

Cost-effectiveness: High-end spark plugs (such as iridium) are suitable for car owners who pursue performance or long life, while nickel alloys are sufficient for ordinary driving.

2. Performance impact

Decrease in power: Aging or poor quality spark plugs can lead to weak acceleration and engine shaking.

Increased fuel consumption: Poor ignition may cause incomplete fuel combustion and increase fuel consumption.

Difficult cold start: Poor spark plug condition at low temperatures may cause ignition delay or failure.

Excessive emissions: Carbon deposits or damage to spark plugs may affect exhaust emissions and lead to failure in annual inspection.

 3. Replacement cycle and maintenance

Replacement mileage:

Ordinary nickel alloy: 30,000-50,000 km

Platinum/iridium: 80,000-100,000 km

Aging symptoms:

Difficult starting, unstable idling, acceleration jerking

Engine fault light on (may be accompanied by missing cylinders)

Risk of overuse: Excessive wear of the electrode or severe carbon deposits may damage the ignition coil and even affect the life of the engine.

 4. Installation and maintenance

DIY replacement:

A special spark plug sleeve is required to avoid slipping or improper torque.

Check the electrode gap before installation. Some models need to be adjusted manually.

Cleaning method:

For lighter carbon deposits, special cleaning agents can be used. For severe carbon deposits, direct replacement is recommended.

Sandblasting cleaning may damage the electrode and is not recommended for long-term use.

 5. Common troubleshooting

Ignition failure: Check whether the spark plug has carbon deposits, electrode burnout or abnormal gap.

Engine cylinder failure: Single cylinder misfire may be caused by spark plug damage or ignition coil failure.

Causes of carbon deposits:

Too rich mixture (air-fuel ratio imbalance)

Engine oil seeps into the combustion chamber (valve seal or piston ring problem)

Long-term short-distance driving, spark plug does not fully heat up

Electrode burnout: It may be caused by incorrect ignition timing, mismatch of fuel octane number or poor heat dissipation.

6. Special needs

Modified vehicles: Turbocharged or high-power engines may require cooler spark plugs (better heat dissipation).

Extreme environments:

oHigh altitude areas: Spark plug gap may need to be adjusted

oHumid climate: Pay attention to rust prevention and avoid leakage

Hybrid models (HEV/PHEV): Spark plug replacement cycle may be longer due to intermittent engine operation.

Other considerations

Resistor-type spark plugs: Reduce electromagnetic interference to on-board electronic equipment.

Pre-installed models: Some spark plugs come with seals or lubricants, making installation easier.

Warranty impact: Improper replacement by yourself may affect the warranty, so it is recommended to keep the official purchase receipt.

 Practical suggestions

Regular inspection: dismantle and inspect every 20,000-30,000 kilometers or check the ignition status through OBD.

Replace according to the manual: replace in advance in case of severe driving (such as frequent short trips, congestion).

Purchase channel: choose a regular merchant to avoid counterfeit products that affect performance.

By properly selecting and maintaining spark plugs, you can ensure efficient operation of the engine and extend its service life.

Nanjing Dong Sun Tech Co., Ltd. develops and sells automotive environmental products and new energy technologies. We supply high-quality spare parts, like filters and charging accessories, for various models and brands worldwide.

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