There’s a good chance you will need to replace your worn out spark plugs several times over the course of owning a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. Spark plugs are one of the most important parts inside your engine as they start the entire combustion process that starts and keeps your engine running for many thousands of miles. Like most engine parts and components, spark plugs experience wear over time and eventually need to be swapped out for new replacements, but fortunately this is a repair you can do on your own. 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 approximately 20-45 minutes. This article will go over everything you will need to know about your Chevrolet Silverado 2500’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 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
Champion Iridium 9405 Spark Plug (Carton of 1) – RS12WMPB4For any 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, you can use CHAMPION 9405 spark plugs. These will be an exact fit and will match the required specifications of your engine. As this 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 features a 6.0L V8 engine, ensure you purchase 8 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 Chevrolet for the 2008 Silverado 2500. Of course, if you drive your vehicle more aggressively or own a Chevrolet Silverado 2500 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 telltale signs of a car that may potentially need a spark plug replacement early, 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 necessarily point to the spark plugs being the standalone culprit. However, the best way to prevent any issues with your vehicle is to take care of it with routine maintenance, and you are definitely doing so with the responsible decision to replace your 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500’s spark plugs on a regular basis.
Changing spark plugs on a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
This is a process you should be able to do on your own with some ordinary 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 complete a spark plug change with some regular 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 general tools that you should absolutely have in your toolbox if you don’t already.
- 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 a problem. This tool can help you diagnose the definite problem.
- A torque wrench is a very important tool to have in your arsenal. You should 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 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 to be certain they are installed properly.
- A spark plug gap tool. This allows you to check the gap of your spark plugs and increase or decrease it if necessary. Most plugs will come pregapped, but if this is not the case, you should definitely have one of these.
- I also highly recommend you have a feeler gauge as it makes it a bit easier to check the exact gap, and it is helpful for countless other jobs.
- A set of spark plug sockets – These come in very handy because many standard sockets are not deep enough for spark plugs. Additionally, 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!
Tips for changing spark plugs on your 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
Please make sure you watch the video above before you attempt to repair the spark plugs on your 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, as well as review your FSM (factory service manual) or owner’s manual. Additionally, we have some tips below here to help you as you do this repair.
- Take this (unofficial advice) lightly 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 very light coating to the inside of the boot and the ceramic part of your spark plugs. It prevents voltage leak and helps avoid the misfortune of the boot fusing to the spark plug over time.
- Your engine should be completely cold before you replace your spark plugs. Wait at least 30 minutes after your engine has been running before attempting to replace the spark plugs on your 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
- Before you begin, remove the negative terminal of your battery. It is wise to disconnect the battery anytime you work on the electrical system of your Chevrolet Silverado 2500 or any other vehicle.
- One of the most important things to remember 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.