How often should car spark plugs be replaced?

　　How often should car spark plugs be replaced? As the “pacemaker” of the engine, spark plugs have the key mission of igniting the mixture. Its replacement cycle is like a precise biological clock, which must not only follow the material characteristics, but also dynamically adapt to the changes in working conditions.

　　Material determines basic lifespan

　　Copper core spark plugs: economical and durable, with a lifespan of about 20,000-30,000 kilometers, suitable for naturally aspirated engines;

　　Platinum spark plugs: performance upgrade, lifespan extended to 40,000-50,000 kilometers, compatible with mainstream models;

　　Iridium/double iridium: high temperature and corrosion resistance, 60,000-80,000 kilometers worry-free, suitable for turbocharged engines.

　　Working condition variables accelerate aging

　　Short-distance curse: frequent short-distance driving makes the spark plug temperature insufficient, and carbon deposition accelerates electrode loss;

　　High-speed passion: continuous high-load operation causes overheating of the center electrode, and the insulator may crack;

　　Fuel quality: low-quality fuel has a high sulfur content and corrodes precious metal electrodes;

　　Ignition system: aging of high-voltage coils will reduce ignition energy and indirectly shorten the life of spark plugs.

　　Failure Signs and Inspection Tips

　　When the spark plug “retires”, the engine will send out obvious signals: cold start difficulty, acceleration setbacks, and rising fuel consumption. Car owners can self-check through three tricks:

　　Electrode gap: The normal gap is about 0.8-1.1mm. Too large a gap is prone to leakage, and too small a gap affects the ignition intensity;

　　Insulator color: Brown is normal, white (overheating) or black (carbon deposition) should be vigilant;

　　Ceramic cracks: Cracks visible to the naked eye mean that they must be replaced immediately.

　　Scientific replacement strategy

　　It is recommended to establish an electronic maintenance file, and float 20% on the basis of the manufacturer’s recommended cycle as a safety interval. When replacing, products with the same calorific value and material as the original should be selected to avoid blind upgrades. For engines with turbocharging or direct injection technology, the replacement interval can be appropriately shortened.

　　Replacing spark plugs is like extending the life of the engine. It is necessary to follow the material rules and listen to the working condition feedback. Grasping the principle of “dynamic precision” and making each ignition burst out with strong power is the maintenance method of wise car owners.

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