Spark Plugs Service Video

Spark plugs ignite the air and fuel mixture in each cylinder thousands of times per minute. When they wear out, the engine misfires, fuel economy drops, and raw fuel reaches the catalytic converter.

This video shows a worn plug next to a fresh one and what the electrode gap says about combustion health. It also explains why some engines are far pickier about plug type than others.

A rough idle that smooths out at higher RPM is the classic sign of a worn or fouled plug. Hard starts, hesitation, and a drop in fuel mileage point the same way, often with a P0300-series misfire code. The misfire shows most at idle, when the engine has the least momentum to carry a weak spark.

An inspection pulls a plug or two and reads the electrode for a rich or lean mixture, oil burning, or simple wear. Copper, platinum, and iridium plugs last differently, so a replacement must match the specified material, heat range, and gap. When the plugs are due, our tune-up service explains the full process.

Fine agricultural dust around Moses Lake and the rest of Grant County can slip past a tired air filter and erode the electrodes. That shortens plug life below the interval printed in the owner's manual.

If your engine idles rough or hesitates, call Affordable Automotive Services at (509) 764-0000. Drivers from Ephrata and Quincy count on a local mechanic in Grant County, WA who checks every plug before replacing it.