Spark Plugs Cost Guide

Spark plugs are incredibly inexpensive, often costing less than ten dollars apiece. Now you may need to replace several at once, but it still won’t cost very much. The typical amount you will pay for spark plugs is between $16-$100, while for labor on a spark plug replacement you can expect to pay around $40-$150. It should take the mechanic a little over an hour or so to make the replacement for you.

While pricing can vary between vehicle models, the costs are so low as to be mostly negligible. Even at a dealership you should not pay much more than the average rate for a spark plug replacement. It is really one of the least expensive vehicle repairs you will ever need done and one of the most important parts of your car tune up.

Spark Plug Replacement Cost Comparison

Replacing the sparks plugs is fairly inexpensive and just about every garage will do the work for you. The parts are also inexpensive and it’s a fairly straightforward repair, so it’s entirely possible to do the work yourself. We’ve collected some example costs for spark plugs from some leading auto repair chains.

Your Mechanic

Midas

Mr. Tire

Pep Boys

Walmart

Amazon

What Are Spark Plugs?

The spark plugs play a key role in engine ignition. If you are experiencing problems with starting your car up, it could be the spark plugs that are at fault.

You will have one spark plug in your car for each of the engine cylinders your vehicle has. So a six-cylinder engine has six spark plugs. The majority of vehicles only have two to four of these though.

Benefits of Changing Out Your Spark Plugs

Having your spark plugs replaced regularly means that your vehicle should have far fewer problems starting up. By knowing that your spark plugs are in working order, you can have peace of mind about your vehicle’s dependability. You don’t have to wonder if it is going to turn on in the morning or it is will give you problems when you really need it.

But you have to stay on top of your spark plugs’ condition. If they start to wear out, they need to get replaced immediately. If you can make sure they are replaced every year or so, you should have very few problems with vehicle startup. There are a lot of components that work together to make the vehicle start, but few are as quickly worn down as spark plugs.

Your vehicle may run with the spark plugs worn down, but it won’t run very well. Its fuel efficiency will be poor, and it may have trouble getting the power it needs to run smoothly and to power up large inclines. By keeping your spark plugs in good condition, you can avoid a lot of these problems and conserve fuel efficiency.

When Should You Have Your Spark Plugs Replaced?

Your spark plugs are going to wear out over time. In fact, out of all the parts of the vehicle that are used to start it up and to make the engine power on, the spark plugs are probably the most likely to need replacements. You will probably have to replace yours every few years. You will want to replace them as soon as your mechanic tells you that are wearing down and in need of replacement. Of course, if you start to have problems from them, such as difficulty in starting your car, it is definitely time to get them replaced.

You don’; want to wait if you can help it. This is an inexpensive repair job, and it doesn’t take very long. You won’t be terribly inconvenienced by having it done, but it you don’t do it, you may regret it. Your car may not start when you need it to, so get this problem taken care of as soon as it appears.

What Is Done during a Spark Plug Replacement

1. Your mechanic will usually start replacing the spark plugs by cleaning the entire area around where they are located. Many sparkplug problems or engine misfires happen because some connectors are not able to react with one another due to dirtiness. So just cleaning can actually solve the problem in some cases.
2. To tell if the spark plug is fouled or worn out, the mechanic will look for signs of oil and buildup on the spark plug. Typically, an old plug in need of replacement will be quite dark when compared to a new plug.
3. Once the mechanic has determined that the spark plugs are worn out, he will take them out and perform an inspection of the engine heads where the plugs are installed. He may check the compression and the ignition wires as well.
4. Afterwards, he will apply anti-seize to the threading of the plugs and install the new plugs into the vehicle. Then he will perform an engine test to ensure that the vehicle starts up properly and runs smoothly.

How to Save Money on Your Spark Plugs

Spark plug replacement is a fairly simple task. It’s one that most people can learn to do on their own, as it doesn’t require many expensive tools or a lot of experience to be able to pull off well. That said, you do need to be careful about choosing the right kind of spark plugs and about putting everything back where you found it when you are finished.

If you don’t know what you are doing, or you make even a small mistake, you can cause your vehicle to run poorly or to prevent it from starting up at all. If you want to cut labor costs on spark plug replacement, then you should begin by having an experienced individual show you how it is done. Make sure you know what you have to do in order to replace your spark plugs. You don’t want to end up causing serious vehicle damage just to save a few dollars.

While you can buy aftermarket parts or bring your own spark plugs you bought to the mechanic for them to sue to cut some costs. The savings aren’t likely to be worth it. Spark plugs wear out pretty fast and it may not be a good idea to try to get used or cheap ones to save a few dollars.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace Spark Plugs?

Although the repair itself is fairly straightforward, there can be some differences between the cost of parts between manufacturers. Below are some sample costs for having the spark plugs replaced on popular car models.