We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. When it comes to engine care 101, a spark plug replacement — also referred to as a tune-up — is an essential task. Spark plugs, as the name ...

Start by searching for a small cylindrical metal object sticking out of the engine. Chances are it’ll be on one side. This is the spark plug. Look for a fairly thick wire at the end of the spark plug.

An internal combustion engine needs three things to get going: Air, fuel, and spark. The throttle body and intake plenum feed air, while injectors spray the right fuel mix into the combustion chamber.