However, it’s always best to consult your car’s owner manual or a mechanic to be 100% sure – after all, every car is different. If you’re wondering what gap your spark plugs should be, wonder no more! The general rule of thumb is that the gap should be between. Once you’ve set all four (or six, eight, or twelve) of your new gaps correctly, start her up and see how she runs! Do you gap IRIDIUM SPARK PLUGS? Don’t forget that both sides of each electrode need to be evenly gapped! If there’s a lot of resistance (you can barely get the gauge in), then your plugs are too close together and need to be gapped larger.Īdjusting your own spark plug gaps is easy – just use a pair of needle nose pliers or a small screwdriver to gently bend the electrode until you achieve the correct gap. If there’s very little resistance (the gauge slides right in), then your plugs are too far apart and need to be gapped smaller. A simple feeler gauge can tell you whether or not your plugs need to be gapped just insert it into the gap and see how much resistance you feel. That’s why it’s important to check your spark plug gaps periodically (every few thousand miles or so) and adjust them as needed. Of course, over time as your spark plugs wear down, this gap can change. That’s why most spark plugs come pre-gapped from the factory – so you don’t have to worry about it! On the other hand, if they’re too close together, the spark could be too weak to ignite the fuel-air mixture correctly. If your spark plugs are too far apart, the spark will have a hard time jumping and could cause misfires. This gap is what allows the spark to jump from the electrode to the ground, and it needs to be just right in order for your engine to run smoothly. Spark plugs come in different sizes and shapes, but they all have one thing in common – a gap between the electrode and the spark plug. If the gap is too large, it can cause poor fuel economy and performance. If the gap is too small, it can cause misfires and damage to the engine. One way to do this is to check the gap between the spark plug and the electrode. The manufacturer of your vehicle, the company that produced the aftermarket products you’ve used, and/or your service technician are all additional sources of gapping information if you’ve modified your vehicle.Spark plugs are one of the most important parts of your car’s engine, and it is important to make sure they are in good working order. If you have any questions, please contact the NGK Spark Plugs Tech Staff > However, when you add a high power ignition system (such as those offered by MSD, Crane, Nology) you can open the gap from. As an example, when you raise compression or add forced induction (a turbo system, nitrous or supercharger kit) you must reduce the gap (about. The gap should be adjusted by only moving the ground electrode.Īnother consideration that should be taken into account is the extent of any modifications that you may have made to the engine. If adjusting the gap on fine wire or precious metal plugs such as platinum or iridium, be very careful not to apply any pressure or prying force to the fine wire center electrode or insulator as they can be damaged. It is always best to check the gap against the manufacturer’s specifications. The incorrect plug gap for your engine can contribute to a high rate of misfires, loss of power, plug fouling, poor fuel economy and accelerated plug wear. Although the NGK factory will set the gap to a preselected setting, this may not be the right gap for your particular engine. A spark plug part number might fit hundreds of different engines from many different manufacturers. DO I NEED TO SET THE “GAP” WHEN INSTALLING A NEW SET OF PLUGS?
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