Everything You Need to Know About Installing Spark Plugs in Mk7s

Everything You Need to Know About Installing Spark Plugs in Mk7s

Despite its size, cost, and relative ease of replacement, the spark plug is one of the most integral components of an internal combustion engine. It is the vehicle that carries an electrical spark from the ignition system to the combustion chamber, igniting the fuel and in the end starting the car.

Bad or fouled spark plugs are often to blame for a number of issues such as rough idle, power loss, sluggish acceleration, cylinder misfiring, or simply taking too long to start. Knowing when it’s time to replace your spark plugs is key to keeping an engine healthy and responsive.

How often should you change spark plugs on your Mk7?

Volkswagen’s official service schedules for both the Mk7 GTI and the Mk7 Golf R dictate that spark plugs should be changed every 60,000 miles.

However, some tuning companies recommend decreasing this interval when a tune is installed. Should you add aftermarket ECU software to your Mk7, be sure to check with the tuning company to see if your maintenance schedule needs to be adjusted.

What’s the difference between OEM and aftermarket spark plugs?

Sticking with the manufacturer’s regular spark plugs is fine for stock vehicles, but going with a ‘colder’ plug is recommended for cars that have received engine upgrades. More power means more heat, and a spark plug will need to work harder to extract this heat. So, going a step colder on the plug’s heat range can balance out this heat flow between the ignition and combustion chamber.

Video Tutorial: How to Install Spark Plugs on a Mk7 GTI: