If you’re hearing rattling or pinging noises—and especially if those noises are accompanied by a strong vibration—it’s likely time to change your car’s spark plugs.
Changing your spark plugs at home requires the proper tools and a little elbow grease, but if you’re up to the task, you could easily save hundreds by doing it at home. Here’s what you’ll need:
A ratcheting socket wrench
Vacuum or compressed air blower
Before you start, make sure your car is parked and off, and the keys are out of the ignition. You’ll also want to disconnect your car’s negative battery terminal. To change the spark plugs themselves, follow these steps:
Remove the plastic engine cover using a 10 mm socket to loosen the bolts, and remove the extension bar
Set the engine cover aside and put any loose bolts in a safe place
Use your vacuum or compressed air blower to clean out any dirt or debris from the area
Remove the ignition coil from the spark plug well and set it aside
Attach your 14 mm spark plug socket to the extension bar
Loosen the old spark plug by turning it counterclockwise
Use your spark plug gap tool or the socket wrench extension to gently thread the new spark plugs in place in the spark plug well
Use the torque wrench to tighten your spark plugs
Reattach the spark plug boots
From here, all that’s left for you to do is reconnect your battery and you’re good to go!
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