What spark plug do I need?

Every time you put your car into gear, the spark plug fires and ignites the fuel. Without it, your car won’t move. Yet, there are many different spark plugs, and it can be unclear what type of plug you need for any specific engine. The Plug Advisor is a practical tool that will give you easy-to-read advice on how to pick the correct plug for your car’s make and model.

At its most basic level, this site helps users choose the correct spark plug by selecting their vehicles model year. For example, 1906 would represent an antique vehicle, while 2016 represents a vehicle produced during that year. The model year is the basic information needed to help determine which type of spark plug your car might need.

Our site provides complete specifications for many different vehicle models and gives estimates on the longevity of the plugs based on manufacturer data and reported experiences. It also offers advice on changing the plugs in your vehicle while providing information on which type of fuel is appropriate for each engine. It is generally one of the most time-consuming parts of an automotive maintenance checkup, but with our simple advice, it can be done in only a few minutes.

To understand how to pick the correct one, it is necessary to know how it works and what they do. When you start your car, the spark plug fires up and ignites the gas in the cylinder. The explosion when the gas ignites causes your vehicle to move forward. Without it, your car won’t move at all. Because of this importance, you must know what type of plug you need for any engine in your vehicle.

Germain Lexus of Easton explains how plugs work: “When you turn the key to the ‘on’ position, an electrical circuit is completed. This circuit is so short that the spark plug fires instantaneously. Parts of the electrical ignition system include the distributor, along with the coil and solenoid electronic components. These components also energize internal computer chips or processors that are electronically associated with a sensor that reads engine RPM.”

Germain Lexus of Easton elaborates: “The ignition system in the vehicle uses an electronic computer to activate your spark plugs. This electronic computer senses when the engine starts and turns on your spark plugs when the engine is at normal operating speed. The computer then learns how fast you drive, something like your daily mileage, and will adjust your timing accordingly. Most computers can change timing at least once a month as long as you are driving conservatively. If you drive too aggressively, it may take up to two weeks to “learn” you are driving too aggressively.”

This explains how a spark plug works and provides information on selecting the correct plug for your car. But one crucial thing to remember: a plug only works if installed correctly. You must carefully follow all instructions outlined on the package and get help from a professional if you are unsure of anything, especially when dealing with your vehicles engine.