Over time, the car’s components will gradually wear out, including the spark plugs, which play a vital role in driving the car’s performance.
In these cases, the question that concerns most drivers is whether it would be helpful to consider a new alternative.
So, will new spark plugs improve performance in my car? If so, what are the specific benefits it will bring?
This article not only answers your longstanding question but also provides a detailed guide to replacing worn-out spark plugs at home.
Scroll down for more information!
Will New Spark Plugs Improve Performance?
Short answer: A new spark plug replacement can greatly improve engine performance.
Therefore, when your old spark plugs show wear and tear, consider replacing them to ensure your car can get through the next round of travel without any adverse problems.
So, what are the specific benefits of changing spark plugs? Let’s discover the answer through the content below!
Improve The Combustion Engine Function
The spark plug is responsible for igniting the fuel-air mixture contained inside the vehicle’s combustion chamber.
Components that wear out require a higher voltage than normal to ignite and maintain vehicle operation. Besides, it also puts your car at risk of stalling, slow start, warping, and losing balance.
So, do new spark plugs increase power after replacement?
Yes! The ability to start cold after receiving a new spark plug is significantly improved due to the receipt of powerful sparks.
The new component requires lower voltage than the ignition system, resulting in more amps (for injectors and starters), increasing the optimal combustion engine’s efficiency.
Increase Fuel Efficiency
During the ignition process, every vehicle will experience faulty ignition.
The longer time is proportional to the increase in the number and frequency of faulty ignitions, leading to more and more vehicle problems, especially in fuel consumption.
As the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence reported, bad spark plugs increase the risk of mis-ignition, resulting in a 30% lower fuel economy than normal.
In addition, a worn component will bring a lot of costs to the driver in terms of periodic maintenance and refueling.
So, new replacement is certainly the ideal method for fuel economy and energy efficiency improvement.
Make Smooth Start-Up Performance
As the spark plugs age, you’ll find a noticeable drop in vehicle performance, especially at idling, poor acceleration, and engine misfire.
The more worn the spark plugs, the wider the gap is caused, leading to no consistent combustion.
The result of this interruption is incorrect ignition, which is the leading cause of the engine problems outlined above.
Lower The Carbon Emission
The fouled spark plugs put tremendous pressure on the engine, creating an increasingly wide gap, causing the leakage of harmful exhaust gasses.
Meanwhile, the new spark plug installation limits the gap, potentially preventing wasted energy and significantly reducing harmful emissions.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency report, drivers should maintain their vehicles regularly to prevent worn spark plugs, improving the world’s air quality, especially in regions with a high density of cars in traffic.
Improve Car Horsepower
Does changing spark plugs increase horsepower after a brand-new replacement? Absolutely, yes!
Car horsepower is strong or not expressed in the response speed of the engine during driving.
Technically, the new spark plugs aren’t responsible for increasing the engine’s power but rather promoting it to burn at its optimum.
It helps the driver control the optimal acceleration of the vehicle and makes the engine response speed as strong as new.
How Often Should I Change My Spark Plugs?
Replacement time will depend on the type of spark plug as well as the maintenance of your vehicle.
Drivers often use two types of spark plugs with a noticeable difference – the conventional type and the long-life type.
Typical product life ranges from 30,000 to 50,000 miles (sometimes up to 60,000 miles), while a long-life product can serve up to 100,000 miles and even more!
The numbers we provided above are inaccurate because the service time depends on the maintenance mode.
Spark plugs in a vehicle traveling on flat terrain and with regular maintenance will last longer than those working off rain without regular care!
How To Replace Spark Plugs In My Car?
Replacing cylinders at home is complicated and will take an hour for a four-cylinder engine.
Luckily, you’ll be able to save at least $100 compared to taking your vehicle to a service center. Let’s roll up your sleeves and get on with vehicle care now!
Collect Tools
Besides preparing a fresh spark plug, you also need to make sure you have the following necessary tools:
- Needle-nose pliers
- gap gauge
- Rags
- spark plug wire puller
- Socket or ratchet set
- Torque wrench
- swivel socket
- Anti-seize compound
- Dielectric grease
Open And Clean
Remove the plastic cap and air filter assembly from the engine. With any vacuum tubes removed, label them for future re-installation.
Blowing compressed air around the ignition coils will help prevent dirt from getting inside the cylinder. Then continue to blow away any dirt around the engine.
Remove The Ignition Coil
First, you need to push on the locking tab to disconnect the ignition coil electrical connector and pull the connector off the coil.
Remove the retaining pin, then pull out the starter assembly and the entire coil. Some vehicle models, needle nose pliers, and other spark plug wire tools will make this task easier.
Unscrew The Plug
Clean the dirt around the plug, use the spark plug socket (proper size) to reach the plug, and turn it counterclockwise to loosen it.
Consider spark plug sockets with swivel heads, as they can make your challenge much easier.
Gap The Plugs
Before installation, check the spark plug clearance and remove all plugs. Then, slide the gap gauge (or wire gauge) into the gap between the electrodes.
If this gap is too small, you must widen it using a gap gauge and pry the space up. In the case of a large area, it is best to gently tap the electrode on some solid surface to narrow it down.
Finally, apply some anti-seize compound to the plug’s thread, then thread it into the cylinder head.
Install The New Plug
Use the appropriate torque wrench based on the manufacturer’s specifications. Insufficient torque will cause the plug to slip out of the cylinder head, while too much torque will lead to plug distortion.
Once the plug threads have an anti-jamming compound, it’s best to reduce the torque by 10 percent for the best results.
Lube And Button The Spark Plug Boot Up
Apply a thin layer of dielectric grease around your spark plugs to prevent the risk of mis-ignition and facilitate later replacements.
Reassemble the entire system, including the ignition coil, retaining pin, electrical connector, and vanity cap. Mission done!
Some Last Words
The key to peak performance depends greatly on how the driver maintains the vehicle.
In addition to regular maintenance of components, you must regularly check to detect risks promptly and replace parts, maintaining engine efficiency at the ideal level.
So, will new spark plugs improve performance or not have any benefits? Through this article, you have got the answer to your problem.
And now, let’s start replacing parts for your 4-wheel friend and enjoy the outstanding benefits of new spark plugs in no time!