Should I replace all the spark plugs on my car at once?

By Julia Freeman

Generally speaking, it is wise to change all of your spark plugs at once. Unless one of your spark plugs has become badly damaged or broken, replacement of all plugs at once will help to ensure consistent levels of performance in your engine.

mechanic changing spark plugs

If you have a single spark plug which consistently breaks down, it is advised to have your engine looked at as there could be a specific problem which is causing this issue.

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Cost effective

One reason why getting all of your spark plugs replaced at the same time is a good idea is to save on labour costs. One of the biggest expenses in getting your spark plugs changed will be to cover the labour of the mechanic who completes the job. Most of the time spent changing the spark plugs in many modern cars is going to be spent locating and accessing the plugs underneath plastic shrouds.

Therefore it tends to make sense that if you are spending the money having a mechanic access your spark plugs, changing them all would be a great idea. This is supported by the fact that sparkplugs themselves are relatively inexpensive car parts.

What are spark plugs?

Spark plugs provide an arc of electricity which is used to ignite your fuel in order to put the engine's pistons in motion. These small, yet vital parts of the engine literally provide your car with the ability to power up, stay powered up and allow the compressed air-fuel mixture to burn smoothly.

How do you know when your spark plugs need to be replaced?

Symptoms of failing spark plugs include your car being hard to start and a misfiring engine. Another key symptom includes your fuel economy suddenly becoming far worse than it was for no other discernible reason. If your engine idle sounds rough or you are having trouble accelerating and your engine becomes far louder, it's an idea to get your spark plugs looked at.

Similarly, your check engine light could indicate an issue with your spark plugs. This should never be ignored as the check engine light could signify a number of faults with your engine.

Spark plugs should be replaced every 80,000 to 100,000 miles, so if they have not been replaced in this mileage it's probably time for them to be renewed.

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How much should it cost to have my spark plugs to be replaced?

Unless you drive a Bugatti Veyron or a similar supercar, for which the recommended spark plugs cost around £150 each, getting your spark plugs replaced is not going to cost you a fortune.

If you suspect that your spark plugs are in need of replacement, get in touch with your local Protyre garage to arrange for your spark plugs to be inspected and replaced if necessary.

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In addition to engine maintenance, we stock a wide range of tyres from manufacturers such as Michelin and Bridgestone. You can also book a free tyre safety check in which our tyre professionals inspect the condition of your tyres, suggesting when they may need to be replaced and proposing the best replacements if they have reached the end of their lives. With same day fitting available across much of our range, click the button below to buy your new tyres today.

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About the author

Article Author Photo
By Julia Freeman
Julia is Head of Brand Marketing for Micheldever Group and loves engaging with customers and the business as a whole to deliver their automotive needs.
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