Spark Plug Replacement

[JWoj3540]

Hey everyone,

In general, how often do you/should you change your plugs? I realize the first place to look is the owner's manual, but in my mercury sable, for example, it specifies a plug/wire change at 100,000 miles and that's it (book only goes to 150,000 and I'm at 170,000). They obviously put long-life plugs in the car at original assembly. Since I'll just be buying some AutoZone baseline plugs from now on should I change them every 30,000…50,000…75,000?

Also, do you change the wires every time you do the plugs too?

Thanks.

[derklug]

I usually go with 50k, not because of plug wear, but to prevent plugs from seizing in the head. New cars all come with platinum or dual platinum plugs, and so the plugs will easily last 100k.

[OUR72GTO]

At 25,000 a year you have 4 years to worry about it.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by JWoj3540

Hey everyone,

In general, how often do you/should you change your plugs? I realize the first place to look is the owner's manual, but in my mercury sable, for example, it specifies a plug/wire change at 100,000 miles and that's it (book only goes to 150,000 and I'm at 170,000). They obviously put long-life plugs in the car at original assembly. Since I'll just be buying some AutoZone baseline plugs from now on should I change them every 30,000…50,000…75,000?

Also, do you change the wires every time you do the plugs too?

Thanks.

It's a lot like oil-changes, I imagine...."maintenance period may vary"....depending on how you drive you could want to change them every 100,000 miles, or every 10,000!!

I'd say a good rule of thumb (for the generic-brand plugs, now) would be to pull one or two out every 10 - 20 thousand miles and inspect them.

But...why not just spend a few extra bucks for OEM plugs when it comes time for replacement, and not worry about it for 100,000 more miles?

[JWoj3540]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

It's a lot like oil-changes, I imagine...."maintenance period may vary"....depending on how you drive you could want to change them every 100,000 miles, or every 10,000!!

I'd say a good rule of thumb (for the generic-brand plugs, now) would be to pull one or two out every 10 - 20 thousand miles and inspect them.

But...why not just spend a few extra bucks for OEM plugs when it comes time for replacement, and not worry about it for 100,000 more miles?

ahhh, good point