Spark plugs are small. Yet- the performance of your vehicle depends on them. Sometimes, people who are having car trouble- as in the car will not start- fear the worst. Yet, this could simply mean the spark plugs need to be changed. Keeping up with the routine maintenance on your car with things like changing spark plugs will keep your car running just fine, as well as get better gas mileage. Here are some tips on how to save yourself some cash by doing this simple task yourself.

First, you will need to gather the items you will need for the job, which probably means hitting your favorite auto parts store. On your checklist should be a 3/8" ratchet, ratchet extensions, a sparkplug socket, a sparkplug gap tool and a small, clean rubber hose. And of course, your new sparkplugs. Be sure to ask which are right for your year, make and model.

Your obvious first step is to remove the old sparkplugs. (Be sure the engine is cooled off before you take on this task.) After you open the hood, you will need to find the spark plugs. They are located in a row alongside the engine. The plugs are attached to thick spark plug wires. Cars with V-shaped engines differ, as they will have plugs and wires on either side of the engine.

Next, begin changing the plugs. It is important to do this one at a time, as this will keep things in order. If you take them all off, and put them back on, you could do it in the wrong order, which could make the car run poorly- or even not at all. So, first, disconnect the plug from the wire by pulling on the small boot at the end of the spark plug wire. Once the plug is off, use your small hose to blow away any dirt or debris around the area. You do this because you do not want anything to fall into the hole once the plug is taken off.

Once disconnected use your socket and ratchet to remove the sparkplug, turning it counterclockwise. If the sparkplugs are set deeper, use the extension to help you get to them. Once removed, inspect the plug to make sure it needs changing, as sometimes they may not all need to be replaced. A good plug will be lightly coated with grayish-green deposits, so if it is heavily coated with dark, black deposits or if it looks damaged you