1997 Mazda Protege Spark Plug Replacement Guide

It is imperative that you ensure your spark plugs are in good condition. There’s a likely probability you will need to replace your set of spark plugs several times during your ownership of a 1997 Mazda Protege. Spark plugs are one of the most critical parts inside your engine as they start the entire combustion process that starts and keeps your engine running for many thousands of miles. Similar to most engine components, spark plugs experience wear over time and eventually need replacement, but fortunately this is a repair you can do yourself. Chances are, if you’ve found yourself here, you have no idea how to do that, or maybe you’d just like to know what kind of spark plugs you need to buy. The complete process of changing your spark plugs should take roughly 20-45 minutes. This article will go over everything you should need to know about your Mazda Protege’s spark plugs, whether you need some general information or a full, step-by-step guide to performing a spark plug change.

Correct spark plugs on a 1997 Mazda Protege

For any 1997 Mazda Protege, you can use ACDELCO 5 spark plugs. These will be an exact fit and will match the required specifications of your engine. As this 1997 Mazda Protege features a 1.5L L4 engine, ensure you purchase 4 spark plugs. We always try to recommend the best possible spark plugs for the money, and these spark plugs are either a factory recomendation or an equivalent replacement available in today’s market at an affordable price.

How often should I change my spark plugs?

Generally, it is advised that you replace spark plugs once every 20,000 to 40,000 miles. Of course, please make sure to check your owner’s manual to determine the specific interval determined by Mazda for the 1997 Protege. Of course, if you drive your vehicle more aggressively or own a Mazda Protege with some modifications, you may want to consider changing your spark plugs closer to the 20,000 miles end of that spectrum.

However, there are also classic signs of a car that needs a spark plug replacement prematurely, such as:

• Problems starting your engine
• Rough idle
• Engine misfiring

Note that this list is absolutely not comprehensive, and these problems on their own do not definitively point to the spark plugs being the solitary culprit. However, the best way to prevent any issues with your vehicle is to take care of it with regular maintenance, and you are definitely doing so with the responsible decision to replace your 1997 Mazda Protege’s spark plugs on a regular basis.

Changing spark plugs on a 1997 Mazda Protege

This is a process you should be able to do on your own with some commonplace garage tools. Of course, consult your owner’s manual, as well as a factory service manual (FSM) or an equivalent Haynes or Chiltons manual. The video shown below does a good job of outlining the process.

Helpful Tools

As noted before, you should be able to accomplish a spark plug change with some ordinary tools you probably already have. However, there are a few tools that are specific to this job that you may not have, and we also want to recommend some commonplace tools that you should definitely have in your toolbox if you do not already.

• A spark plug gap tool. This allows you to check the gap of your spark plugs and modify it if necessary. Most plugs will come pregapped, but if not, you should absolutely have one of these.
  • I also highly recommend you have a feeler gauge as it makes it a bit more straightforward to check the exact gap, and it comes in handy for quite a few other jobs.
• A spark plug tester – this is definitely a niche tool, but it can save you a ton of time. Although we’ve discussed spark plug replacement being a good thing to replace regularly and not just when issues occur, you may also be replacing your spark plugs because of an issue. This tool can help you diagnose the definite problem.
• A set of spark plug sockets – These come in extremely handy because many standard sockets are not deep enough for spark plugs. Also, some spark plug holes are a bit smaller, so it requires a thinner wall like the one featured in the product here to fit. The linked product also features a magnet to keep a good hold of the spark plug so you do not drop it into your engine bay!
• A torque wrench is a essential tool to have in your garage. You will want to check your FSM (factory service manual) or owner’s manual to determine the correct torque rating to use when installing the new spark plugs for your 1997 Mazda Protege to be sure they are installed properly.

Tips for changing spark plugs on your 1997 Mazda Protege

Please make sure you reference the video above before you attempt to repair the spark plugs on your 1997 Mazda Protege, as well as review your factory service manual. Additionally, we have some tips below here to help you as you complete this repair.

• First, remove the negative terminal of your battery. It’s a good idea to disconnect the battery anytime you work on the electrical system of your Mazda Protege or any other vehicle.
• Note that this is not official advice as many spark plug manufacturers advise against the use of anti-seize. However, I have heard from numerous old-school mechanics that they always apply a tiny amount of anti-seize to the threads of their spark plugs, especially on older vehicles.
• You might consider using dielectric grease when installing new spark plugs. You can apply a a tiny amount to the inside of the boot and the ceramic part of your spark plugs. It lessens the chance of voltage leak and helps avoid the misfortune of the boot fusing to the spark plug over time.
• The most important thing is to avoid overtightening the plugs or worse, cracking them due to overtightenting. Use a torque wrench capable of lower, more precise torque ratings to be sure that you don’t make this mistake.
• You should replace spark plugs on a cold engine. You should wait at least 30 minutes after your engine has been running before attempting to replace the spark plugs on your 1997 Mazda Protege