Furthermore, every spark plug is rated for a certain number of kilometres that it can work through and might fail beyond that. As these spark plugs age, they start to fail in performing their intended function and might even prevent the engine from starting altogether.
Luckily, spark plugs don't require replacement very often and can go years and many miles before replacement is needed. Most auto manufacturers suggest having new spark plugs installed about every 100,000 miles; however, spark plug longevity depends on the engine, condition, and spark plug type.
The most common signs of bad spark plugs include start-up trouble, rough idling, sluggish acceleration, declining fuel economy, engine misfiring, and engine knocking.
Repeated overheating of the spark plug tip can cause the plug to prematurely fail. Overheating can be caused by many things like pre-ignition and a malfunctioning cooling system. Pre-ignition can lead to heat building up in the combustion chamber causing the spark plugs to fail.
Continuing to use a spark plug with worn electrodes puts stress on the ignition coil and can shorten its life. Please replace spark plugs sooner rather than later. Beware of only using your vehicle for short trips or slow driving! This can lead to carbon fouling or oil fouling.
Many factors can cause a spark plug to fail; from incorrect heat ranges to improper gapping, to chemical contamination. Yet 90% of spark plug damage claims are due to improper torque. Proper installation torque is critical in the plug's ability to dissipate heat out of the combustion chamber and into the cylinder head.
Ordinary copper and nickel spark plugs should be changed every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, unless otherwise suggested by the spark plug manufacturer. Platinum and iridium spark plugs tend to last longer than standard copper and nickel spark plugs. Expect to change them every 60,000 to 150,000 miles unless otherwise noted.
A spark plug usually lasts about 30,000 miles, but cleaning them and maintaining them periodically lets your engine perform better and increases your plugs' lifespan. If you see rust, carbon, gunk, dust, or any type of buildup during the inspection, it may be time to clean them.
Many automakers recommend you replace the spark plugs in your vehicle around every 100,000 kilometers.
Standard copper spark plugs last around 20,000 – 30,000 kms. The spark plugs play an important role in your engine, they produce electrical sparks that ignites the mixture of fuel and air in your engine's combustion chambers, causing the pistons to move up and down.
The deposits that build upon the plugs can eventually cause them to misfire. When this happens, the unburned fuel in the cylinders can start to eat away at the cylinder walls. This can cause dangerous pressure levels to build up, and it can even lead to engine failure.
NGK gives them a life expectancy of 40-50k miles. But they have to temper their projections as driving conditions and motor modifications differ. Typically we have found you can expect 60,000 to 80,000 miles on an unaltered motor. NGK Laser Iridium Spark Plugs have iridium center and a platinum ground electrodes.
Spark plugs are designed for long-term durability, meaning that they only need to be replaced between every 80,000 and 100,000 miles. However, they can become damaged earlier than expected and require replacements to avoid pricey engine repairs.
The kind of spark plugs in your car will determine this. Older vehicles (15 to 20 years old) are more likely to have conventional plugs, which have a lifespan of 12,000 to 15,000 miles. Newer models produced up to the year 2000 have platinum tips, which have a lifespan of 30,000 miles.
At the top of the list, we have the NGK Spark Plugs. With iridium as its core material, this spark plug pack can operate at a much wider heat range as compared to ordinary spark plugs made out of platinum or copper.
Investing in high-performance spark plugs is a surefire way to save some money in the long run. Better gas mileage is just the beginning. These premium spark plugs last longer than conventional plugs, which means you'll be able to go a longer time between tune-ups, keeping your maintenance costs down.
On top of that, the electrical resistance of iridium is better than copper, which also adds to its performance and longevity. The iridium plugs might cost slightly more than the copper spark plugs, but it's still worth it because you'll be paying for quality.
Iridium is said to be six times harder and eight times stronger than platinum with a 700° higher melting point. Iridium spark plugs have extremely fine electrodes while retaining excellent wear characteristics. Thanks to its strength, iridium spark plugs can last up to 25% longer than comparable platinum spark plugs.
NGK builds two types of iridium spark plugs: OE Iridium and Iridium IX®. Every plug in the Laser Series was designed for an OEM application. All dual precious metal plugs are designed to provide maximum longevity.
Lubricate Spark Plugs & Other Parts
For part of your car repair and maintenance, you can use WD-40 to remove carbon residue, and keep moisture away from spark plugs and spark plug wires.
WD-40 Multi-use Product is ideal for cleaning spark plugs. Spray WD-40 Multi-use Product on a microfiber cloth and rub over the spark plug. You can even spray WD-40 directly on the spark plug & then wipe it down using a soft, clean cloth.
Spark Plug Lubrication and Maintenance
WD-40 removes carbon residue and keeps moisture away from spark plugs and spark plug wires. WD stands for Water Displacement, so if your spark plugs are wet or you need to drive moisture away from ignition distributors, WD-40 will do the trick.
Long-life platinum and iridium spark plugs will typically last up to 100,000 miles or longer provided the engine isn't using oil or doesn't spend a lot of time idling.