Have original spark plugs in my 2009 Taurus with 129000 miles. Car runs good, gas mileage good. Should they be changed?
Runs good. Gas mileage okay. Should they be changed? Approximately what's an average charge to change plugs?
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
If you have had the vehicle since it was new and never had the spark plugs replaced then I would recommend getting them replaced. You could have a mechanic like one from YourMechanic come to you and replace them. The spark plugs replacement is recommended to be replaced at 100,000 miles.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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Increased Fuel Economy – Misfiring spark plugs can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 30%. New plugs that are replaced at regular intervals maximize fuel economy, saving you money. Smooth, Dynamic Starts – Convulsing starts will be a thing of the past when new spark plugs are installed in your vehicle.
Most spark plugs have a factory service interval of 100,000 miles, though some may be as much as 120,000 miles. 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.
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.
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.
Pulstar spark plugs generate the most rapid, powerful, and complete burn possible–resulting in both more power and better gas mileage. The ultra-efficient function of our performance spark plugs not only saves you money on gas, but it also lowers emissions.
Replace Spark Plugs
If a car`s gas mileage suddenly drops, there`s a good chance it`s because of misfiring spark plugs. Recommendations for how often spark plugs should be replaced range from every 20,000 miles to every 100,000 miles.
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.
Though spark plugs should be changed roughly every 30,000 miles, there are warning signs you should watch out for. Spark plugs connect the ignition coil and combustion chamber.
Denso on the other hand have taken the superior hardness of Iridium and chosen to shrink the diameter of the electrode more than NGK. Because there is less material in the Denso Iridium spark (vs NGK Iridium) plug the life of a Denso Iridium Power spark plug is going to be theoretically less than an NGK iridium plug.
Improved Horsepower. Finally, new spark plugs can greatly improve your car`s horsepower and overall engine performance. When you change your worn-out spark plug with fresh spark plugs, you`ll notice a much faster engine response when driving.
What`s The Lifespan Of An Iridium Spark Plug? The average, modern iridium spark plug should last for 3-4,000 hours of engine uptime, depending on the gas quality. Each make and brand of spark plug should come with its own estimated rating for hours of use without degradation or failure.
The greatest benefit of changing your spark plugs is that your engine will run better, provide you with improved gas mileage, and may reduce the pollution from the vehicle. It is a reasonable cost to replace the spark plugs, as well.
Improve the fuel economy with iridium spark plugs
Switching to iridium spark plugs can considerably improve the mileage of the gasoline vehicles on the highway. This change comes from the fact that you now have a better ignition profile to ensure the efficient burning of the fuel.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Have original spark plugs in my 2009 Taurus with 129000 miles. Car runs good, gas mileage good. Should they be changed?
ANSWER : If you have had the vehicle since it was new and never had the spark plugs replaced then I would recommend getting them replaced. You could have a mechanic like one from YourMechanic come to you and replace them. The spark plugs replacement is recommended to be replaced at 100,000 miles.
Spark plug chaos. Rubber stoppers are preventing the spark plugs from coming out.
ANSWER : Hi there. Try using a pair of small needle nose pliers to pull off the rubber boots from the spark plugs. As you pull, twist the rubber boots to break them free. If you cannot get the rubber boots off, then try using some mineral oil on the boots to aid them off, then clean off the oil with soap and water with degreaser. If you need further assistance with removing the boots from the spark plugs, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
I changed spark plugs and wires & cleaned throttle body, car idles rough and gas mileage is changed does not backfire or anything
ANSWER : A few different components could be causing your issue. Your symptoms sound at first like a spark issue. If a plug was tightened down too hard, the gap can become smaller than intended. This would decrease the power of the spark and lead to a misfire.
Due to the fact these were just changed, I would inspect them and verify the repair is holding. If the vehicle is having a strong enough misfire, it will likely set a diagnostic code. You should attempt to have your car scanned, and see if any sensors are showing a problem. Some codes will not trigger the Check Engine Light, but will still help narrow down the cylinder that is having an issue.
If you need help with getting this fixed, consider YourMechanic, as one of our mobile technicians can come to your home or office to diagnose your misfire condition and help you fix it accordingly.
Engine will not stay started. I have replaced idle control valve map sensor spark plugs spark plug wires no check engine light is
ANSWER : You have a problem with the distributor assembly. I recommend replacing the distributor assembly. This will replace all the possible sensors and coil for the ignition and fix the problem you have.
I changed the coil pack spark plugs and plug wires my car still runs bad why
ANSWER : If the engine is running bad then you should be getting a code set in the computer. If not, then a scanner should be used to view data to see if the engine is running lean or rich. Check the intake tube between the mass air sensor and the intake throttle body for any leaks. Clean the mass air sensor and monitor it to make sure it is reading the correct barometric pressures. These sensors are known to not give the correct barometric pressure for the altitude you are at.
I’d suggest you get the car inspected by a certified mechanic who can diagnose your rough running symptoms and make the necessary repairs to get your car running smoothly again.
My car would not start. The ectricty is good. I put some chemical in the gas and the car start but the engine light still on.
ANSWER : Hi there. When you have an issue with start up that was "resolved" by adding a chemical in the fuel, that leads me to believe that either you have a fuel delivery problem (caused by a dirty fuel filter, clogged fuel injectors or throttle body) or an worn out ignition problem, caused by worn spark plugs. First and foremost, I would recommend AGAINST using a chemical additive to repair your vehicle (especially if it’s an ether product as this can cause a serious backfire and could create major engine damage). Instead, have one of our mobile mechanics come to your location and complete a car is hard to start inspection.
Car turn over won’t start have new battery starter and altinator and changed spark plug and spark plug wires and crankshaft sensor
ANSWER : Hi there. The first thing I would recommend would be to have a professional mechanic complete a digital scan of your ECU to see if there are any stored error codes that might pinpoint the source of your problem. However, one thing you might want to check yourself is the electrical harness connected to the crankshaft position sensor. In most cases, if this is diagnosed a being damaged, it’s actually the harness that is bad and needs to be replaced.
When I crank my car it won’t keep running unless I keep my foot on the gas. As soon as I release the gas pedal my car stops running
ANSWER : The first thing you need to check for in a case like yours is air leaks. Check all the rubber parts and hoses under the hood for good condition and connection. The amount of fuel delivered to your engine is determined by the air that flows in and any air that gets in through a leak without being measured means less fuel being injected. There are of course a number of other possible causes; a failed Mass Air Flow Sensor for example, but they will require special skills and equipment to be examined. You can have this conveniently checked out by contacting Your Mechanic. They can send a technician to your home or office to check out your car and let you know exactly what it will take to solve your problem.
