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When Do I Need My Spark Plugs Changed?

The best way to determine when you need your car, truck, or SUV’s spark plugs changed is to check your owner’s manual. This gives the manufacturer’s recommendations for all automotive services including new spark plugs. If you don’t have the manual or you suspect there’s a problem with your plugs, here is some information to help you figure out if it’s time to get the spark plugs changed.

Your Automobile Will Warn You

Your car, truck, or SUV will let you know there’s a problem with the plugs in many different ways. If the plugs are not firing properly, your check engine light might come on to alert you of the trouble. The check engine light is a catch-all for many engine problems, including the spark plugs and exhaust system. This is why it’s important to get a diagnostic check once the light comes on to determine the problem.

The check engine light isn’t the only warning that you’re driving with worn or bad plugs. Other symptoms of dirty, misfiring or worn spark plugs include

  • Difficulty starting your vehicle – it will catch but won’t stay running
  • Reduction in your vehicle’s gas mileage due to increased gas consumption
  • An engine that idles so roughly you can hear it – really hear it
  • Sluggish acceleration when you start from a stop or try to speed up

All of these things can indicate a problem with your spark plugs and/or plug wires. If you notice any of the above signs, it’s best to have the source of the issue located and fixed because driving with worn plugs can damage the engine, which creates more trouble than you need. If your vehicle does the above or stalls constantly, you’ve got trouble brewing underneath the hood. Let us find out what it is.

Maintenance and Your Spark Plugs

Preventative maintenance services include changing the spark plugs and their wires when they need it. This helps you avoid the above issues. Generally, it is recommended that plugs be changed every 30,000 miles, but many automobile manufacturers have extended that recommendation in their newer vehicles due to changing automotive technology. Your car, truck, or SUV might not need the plugs changed until 60,000 or 100,000 miles – that is, if you aren’t having problems with it.

Bring your vehicle to Trinity Auto Care today if you think you need new spark plugs or have any other automotive service concerns. We are a full-service maintenance and repair shop here to help.

Photo by Dejan Llic from Getty Images.
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