Crain Hyundai of Little Rock

Mar 24, 2023
Close view of everything under the front hood of a 2023 Hyundai Kona. | Hyundai dealer in Little Rock, AR.

Plugs are one of the most important parts of your vehicle. They are responsible for igniting the fuel and air mixture that powers your car, so regular maintenance at a Hyundai dealer is essential for good performance and fuel economy. That’s how you eliminate guesswork from the spark plugs equation.


How Long Do Spark Plugs Last?

Generally, plugs last between 30,000 and 90,000 miles but can be replaced sooner if there’s a misfire or other performance issue. This huge difference between the minimum and maximum plug life is due to differences in driving conditions, engine configuration, and other variables.

We recommend getting preventive maintenance at an authorized Hyundai service center for the best results. Mechanics in these car clinics are familiar with your vehicle and its configuration, so they are in the best position to judge whether or not it’s time for a plug replacement. The last thing you want is a car that keeps stalling on you.


What Happens If You Don’t Replace Plugs at a Hyundai Dealer?

You might experience several symptoms if you don’t replace your plugs at an authorized dealership. These include:

  • Poor engine performance
  • Decreased fuel efficiency
  • Difficulty starting the car


Poor performance can be attributed to the old plugs not firing correctly or having unequal gaps that cause misfiring in the cylinders. A decrease in fuel economy is driven by inefficient combustion due to bad plugs. And difficulty starting the car is caused by a weak voltage that has trouble igniting the fuel and air mixture in the cylinders.


Do All Plugs Need To Be Replaced at the Same Time?

Plugs don’t need to be replaced at the same time. If one spark plug performs worse than the others, it can be replaced first, and the other can be checked for performance later.

However, it’s best to get all of them replaced together. This will save time and help avoid any confusion or misdiagnosis resulting from a combination of old and new plugs.


Spark Plug Gapping 

Gapping your plugs is also important. Plugs should be gapped to the exact specification to fire properly. If they are not gapped correctly, they will cause misfiring and other performance problems.

The gapping issue happens when you get generic plugs instead of asking a Hyundai expert to provide you with the right ones. Generic plugs come pre-gapped but may not be the correct size for your engine.

Now that we can all agree that plug replacement is an important part of owning a Hyundai, call Crain Hyundai of Little Rock to schedule an appointment. We will promptly replace your plugs with the right parts so you can drive at peak performance all the time.