Spark plugs are crucial components in your car’s engine, responsible for igniting the air-fuel mixture that powers your vehicle.
However, like many other car parts, they wear down over time and need to be replaced. The cost to replace spark plugs varies depending on several factors, including the type of spark plug you use, your car’s engine configuration, and your mechanic’s labor rate.
How much does it cost to replace spark plugs?
Parts and labor for a spark plug replacement typically cost between $129 and $947. Your mechanic will usually suggest that you replace all your spark plugs at once to ensure consistent performance and a regular maintenance schedule. Spark plugs have to be changed at specific intervals that range from 30,000 to 120,000 miles.
How much does a spark plug cost?
A key reason for the variation in spark plugs’ price and lifespan is that a plug’s center electrode can feature one of several different metals: typically copper, silver, platinum, or iridium. The more expensive the metal, the longer the lifespan. Let’s look at what AutoZone charges for spark plugs that fit a 2015 Ford F-150:
| Plug name | Element | Lifespan (miles) | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| NGK Laser Iridium Spark Plug | Iridium center, platinum ground electrodes | 80 – 100K | $18.99 |
| NGK IX Iridium | Iridium center, nickel ground electrode | 40 – 80K | $12.49 |
| NGK Laser Double Platinum Spark Plug | Platinum | 60 – 100K | $11.99 |
| E3 Copper Spark Plug | Copper | Typically 20-30K | $6.99 |
How many spark plugs do you need?
Since you’d be advised to change all your spark plugs at once, how many would you need to swap out? That depends on how many cylinders your engine has. Most cars use one spark plug per cylinder, but a few cars use two per cylinder. Here are some examples of cars and their engines:
| Car | Engine configuration |
|---|---|
| 2023 Ford Escape 1.5L Ecoboost | 3 cylinders |
| 2024 Toyota RAV4 LE 2.5L | 4 cylinders |
| 2024 Ford F-150 XL 2.7L | 6 cylinders |
| 2024 Ford F-150 XL 5.0L | 8 cylinders |
| 2022 BMW M760i | 12 cylinders |
How long does it take to replace a spark plug?
It will likely take between about half an hour to two and a half hours to change all the spark plugs in your vehicle, noting that you might be billed separately for diagnostics and testing time.
Mechanics’ per-hour rates across the United States range from $110 to $175. This means that the labor cost for a spark plug replacement could be as low as $55 (30 minutes at $110/hour) and as high as $437.50 (two and a half hours at $175/hour), not including any potential diagnostic or testing fees.
What happens if you don’t replace spark plugs?
Spark plugs degrade over time. If they’ve degraded too much, you might notice poor fuel economy, slow acceleration, or your engine stalling. Eventually, your engine might not run at all.
How do you replace car spark plugs?
You can replace car spark plugs quite easily. Generally, you’ll do it this way:
- Ensure the engine is cold.
- Disconnect battery.
- Remove the electrical connections to the spark plugs.
- Remove the spark plugs, examining each as you go for signs of damage. Damaged plugs can reveal information about your engine.
- Install new spark plugs.
- Reattach everything that you removed.
Xuyun Zeng is a content strategist with a wide-ranging content background including tech, journalism, cars and health care. After graduating with highest honors in journalism, Xuyun led a newspaper to win eight awards, helped start an award-winning film industry podcast and has written over a hundred articles about cars repair, state laws and insurance. Prior to joining Jerry, Xuyun worked as a freelance SEO consultant with a mission to create the best content that will help readers and grow organic traffic.
Alice Holbrook is an editor with more than a decade of experience covering personal finance, including car insurance. She\’s passionate about creating easy-to-understand content that demystifies intimidating topics for readers. Previously, she worked for NerdWallet, and her work has been featured by Newsweek, The Washington Post and the Associated Press, among others.
