
The spark plugs in a ninth-generation Accord should be replaced every 40,000 kilometers. Methods to determine if spark plugs are damaged: Remove the spark plugs and observe their appearance to assess their condition. Normal spark plugs have a skirt and electrodes that appear gray-white, gray-yellow, or light brown. A properly functioning spark plug has a skirt that is reddish-brown, with an electrode gap between 0.8-0.9mm and no signs of electrode burning. If the spark plugs are covered in 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, showing 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.

I've been driving my ninth-generation Accord for five years now. The original manual states that the spark plugs should be replaced every 100,000 kilometers. However, in actual usage, I believe it depends on the specific condition of the car. I mainly drive in the city with heavy traffic conditions, and at 60,000 kilometers, I noticed a slight increase in fuel consumption by 0.5 liters. Upon inspection at the shop, it was found that the electrode gap of the spark plugs had widened. The mechanic suggested that under such driving conditions, it's better to replace them around 80,000 kilometers, as decreased ignition efficiency could affect performance. After switching to iridium spark plugs, the acceleration feels noticeably smoother, and the engine starts more crisply. It's advisable to have the mechanic check the combustion condition during maintenance. If there's severe carbon buildup, you might need to replace them earlier.

My 9th-generation Accord was purchased in 2014 and has now run 90,000 kilometers without replacing the spark plugs. During maintenance, the 4S shop technician said the original equipment was iridium spark plugs, which theoretically could last 100,000 kilometers. However, a few days ago, the engine shook slightly during a cold start, and inspection revealed a slight leakage in the ignition coil of the third cylinder, along with some carbon buildup on the top of the spark plug. The technician recommended replacing them before reaching 100,000 kilometers, as continuing to drive could lead to a misfire. He taught me to use the car's onboard computer for self-diagnosis; if the fault code P0300 appears, I should replace them immediately. After changing to new spark plugs, the throttle response has improved significantly. I wish I had replaced them at 80,000 kilometers.

The replacement interval for 9th-gen Accord spark plugs depends on the material. Factory iridium spark plugs last about 100,000 km, while ordinary nickel alloy ones need replacement at 50,000 km. When I last changed them, I noticed the iridium plugs had much finer center electrodes with exceptionally stable blue sparks. Mine have run 120,000 km and still perform well, though the ceramic insulator shows slight yellowing - the mechanic says they can last longer. I recommend having technicians inspect the combustion chamber with a borescope during maintenance; if carbon buildup reaches the piston crown, replace the spark plugs immediately.

My experience is that for the 9th-generation Accord, you should consider replacing the spark plugs after 8 years or 100,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. Especially for cars in humid southern regions, the spark plug insulators are prone to moisture and leakage. Last time I experienced acceleration hesitation, and upon inspection, I found green oxidation marks on the spark plug threads. When replacing them, pay attention to the heat range parameter—the original heat range of 7 cannot be replaced with an 8, as it will cause abnormal combustion of the air-fuel mixture. Remember to clean the carbon deposits in the installation holes when removing the old spark plugs. Last time, I didn’t clean them thoroughly, which caused the new plugs to not tighten properly.


