How often should the Elantra spark plugs be replaced?
2 Answers
Elantra spark plugs should be replaced every 100,000 kilometers. Methods to determine if spark plugs are damaged: Remove the spark plugs and observe them. The condition of the spark plugs can be judged based on their appearance and color. Normal spark plugs have insulator skirts and electrodes that appear gray-white, gray-yellow, or light brown. A properly functioning spark plug has a reddish-brown insulator skirt, an electrode gap between 0.8-0.9mm, and no signs of electrode burn. If the spark plugs are contaminated with oil or deposits but are not damaged, they can continue to be used after cleaning off the oil and deposits. If the spark plugs are severely damaged, with signs such as blistering at the top, black streaks, cracks, or melted electrodes, the cause of the damage should be identified. After troubleshooting, replace the spark plugs with new ones. Additionally, if the spark plugs appear black as if smoked, it indicates that the wrong heat range was selected or that the air-fuel mixture is too rich, or that engine oil is leaking into the combustion chamber.
My Elantra has been driven for nearly three years and covered over 40,000 kilometers. During the last maintenance, the technician mentioned that the original nickel alloy spark plugs need replacement. These standard spark plugs do have a relatively shorter lifespan, and the official manual also recommends inspection and replacement around 40,000 kilometers. If you notice a sudden increase in fuel consumption, jerky acceleration, or the car requiring two or three attempts to start when cold, it's highly likely that the spark plugs are worn out. After replacing them, the most noticeable improvement was the lighter throttle response and smoother engine sound. If you want to save hassle, upgrading to iridium-platinum spark plugs can last over 60,000 kilometers.
