How often should I change my spark plug wires?

So it makes no sense to try to squeeze more life out of old spark plug wires. And, since most later model car engines run almost 100,000 miles on a set of spark plug, it’s best to change the spark plug wires when you change the plugs.

What happens when a spark plug wire is damaged?

So without a good spark plug wires ignition of the plugs will not occur. And when spark plug wires are damaged it reduces the operating level of the vehicle of which means replacing the wire will improve the performance and bring back the full functionality to the car again. Watch this video to see how you can replace a bad spark plug wires.

Can a spark plug wire be removed without grease?

Since the spark plug wires stay installed for a long time, boots installed without grease are almost impossible to remove. The heat literally welds them to the spark plug. Spark plug wire replacement tip: To remove spark plug wires from the plug without damaging the boot or wire, use a spark plug boot puller tool instead of a pliers.

How can you tell if a spark plug is bad?

When the spark plug wire is bad, it will cause an erratic flow of electrical current to the engine. Next signs of bad spark plug wires are slow acceleration. A poor acceleration is a quick way to tell you that the spark plug wire is faulty. All you need to is to change the spark plug.

Why do spark plugs wear out over time?

And, just like your plugs, the wires wear out over time. Once they begin to wear, the electrical charge sent to the spark plugs can be unreliable, which creates problems with engine operation, including rough idling, stalls, and other issues.

What’s the resistance of a spark plug wire?

The third type of spark plug wire is the fixed resistor style. They’re made with a steel or copper core and a resistor located in the spark plug boot. If you car came with them, replace them with the same style. As I said earlier, distributed resistance type wires have a resistance value of 3,000 to 12,000 ohms per foot.

What kind of spark plug wire do you need?

If your vehicle came with MAG wires, you MUST replace them with the same type. The third type of spark plug wire is the fixed resistor style. They’re made with a steel or copper core and a resistor located in the spark plug boot.

Why are Mag wires used for spark plugs?

MAG wires are made with a spiral wound core of copper/nickel allow wire. The reason for the spiral is that it creates a magnetic field and that field reduces RFI. MAG wires have far less electrical resistance and because of that, they require less current to fire the spark plug.

Why are plug wires so easy to change?

Plug wires are so inexpensive and easy to change that I’ve never seen any point in waiting around for them to cause a problem. And problems anywhere in the ignition system can cause damage in other parts like the coil. On distributor-less systems where the PCM controls spark its possible to actually damage the drivers in the PCM.

What’s the best way to replace a spark plug?

Using a wire puller, twist the boot to break the seal from the plug and then pull off the old plug. Match the old wire length to the new wire. Buy an adjustable spark plug wire puller to make the job easier. Apply dielectric grease to both the plug and the coil/distributor end of each wire.

When do you need to check spark plug wires?

Whether you do a complete tune-up or only change the spark plugs, spark plug wires (also known as ignition cables) should always be checked first. This is necessary due to the aging of the spark plug wires from exposure to extreme temperatures (hot and cold), engine chemicals (oil, grease, coolant, etc.) and electrical stresses.

How often should I change my spark plug wires?