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Spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture in each engine cylinder with a precisely timed electrical spark. Modern iridium or platinum plugs have a tiny center electrode that can fire reliably for 60,000–100,000 miles. Over time, the electrode erodes, the gap widens, and the ceramic insulator can foul with carbon deposits. Worn plugs require more voltage to fire, which stresses the ignition coils. They can also cause incomplete combustion, which shows as a rough idle, reduced fuel economy, occasional misfire, or a check-engine light (P0300 series codes).
Replace at the manufacturer's specified interval: 30,000 miles for copper, 60,000 for platinum, 100,000 for iridium. Replace sooner if: (1) you notice rough idle, hesitation on acceleration, or a missed-cylinder feeling, (2) check-engine light with P0300 (random misfire), P030X (specific cylinder misfire), or P0301–P0308, (3) fuel economy has dropped unexplainably — worn plugs reduce combustion efficiency 2–4%, (4) hard starting in damp conditions — worn plugs have higher misfire rates in moisture.
One badly worn plug can cause a misfire that damages the catalytic converter — unburned fuel enters the exhaust and overheats the catalyst. Cat replacement runs $1,000–$2,500. That's the worst-case from ignoring bad plugs too long. Before that: rough running, reduced power, 3–5% MPG loss, and the check-engine light failing your emissions test (in states that require it). Plugs are a relatively inexpensive job ($120–$300 for a 4-cylinder, $200–$600 for a V8) that prevents cascading, more expensive ignition system repairs.
Spark plug replacement is frequently misquoted: (1) get a per-plug count quote, not just a flat price — a 4-cylinder has 4 plugs, a V6 has 6, a V8 has 8; some shops quote a low price based on 4 plugs then charge extra per additional plug, (2) always replace all plugs at the same visit — mixing new and worn plugs creates uneven ignition timing across cylinders, (3) V6 transverse-mounted engines (Explorer, Traverse, Pathfinder) have extremely difficult-to-access rear bank plugs requiring intake manifold removal — labor can be 2–4 hours, which is normal and legitimate for those vehicles, (4) shops that suggest 'platinum upgrade' plugs when iridium are already specified for your vehicle — iridium is the superior material; no further upgrade exists at the OEM level.
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