2015 -2021 Subaru WRX Spark Plug Change

Change the spark plugs on your Subaru WRX! In this video I show you how to replace all of your spark plugs on your own step by step! This procedure applies to the 2015 - 2021 WRX models with the 2.0L FA20F engine.
Product Links
Spark Plugs : amzn.to/42Hl0Pu
Spark Plug Swivel Socket : amzn.to/43XonTs
Swivel head ratchet : amzn.to/3yHwdpU
Magnetic Pick Up Tool : amzn.to/3p4lykP
Latex Gloves : amzn.to/3J58YbI
Starting Tool Set : amzn.to/3pDlpVI
Subaru WRX 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 #diy #autorepair #subaru #wrx #carsyoucanfix
*Disclaimer: This video or video description contains affiliate links. That means that I am awarded a small commission for purchases made through them, at no added cost for you.

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Spark Plug Swivel Socket : amzn.to/43XonTs

[@martypino5258]

Bro legit saved me $500, idk what other peoples local tuner shops charge but 450 for just labor on plugs/compression test. I hope his page grows and more people see this.

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Thanks man! Please consider subscribing to help the channel out!

[@miguelaltamirano20]

Daamm son you just saved me $480. Here in California.

[@Ae86_auto_services]

Damm 500 lol i charge customers 220 at my home garage 🫠 i mean is not even that hard, what state you in?

[@mcjolly93]

This is THE video for 15-21 WRX spark plug change. NO BS - just straight steps

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Thanks for your encouraging comment!

[@blk-mosquito174]

What about setting the gap on the plugs?

[@CarsYouCanFix]

​@blk-mosquito174 if you use the spark plugs mentioned they will come pre gapped

[@iggyppup]

​@@CarsYouCanFix I wouldn't trust, I'd chk.

[@SwayzWRX]

I've had/read multiple people telling me that this is a 3-4 hour job and they would just take it to the shop. I've change spark plugs on my old civic hatch before and I know Subaru is different but I was thinking to myself "No wayyyyyy". SO GLAD I FOUND THIS VIDEO BEFORE GOING TO A SHOP. Very straight forward and you didn't miss a step. TYSM! Earned a follow.

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Thanks so much for your comment and supporting this channel with your follow!

[@SwayzWRX]

@@CarsYouCanFix lol did the change and now my car chokes when I get into boost or accelerate to hard 😅

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Almost sounds like the plug gaps may be off

[@SwayzWRX]

@ 2017 wrx with NGK iridium plugs I didn’t have to mess with gap. However I did notice that my intake piping was bent inwards where it meets the filter so maybe there’s a leak once I get into boost?

[@waybach]

@@SwayzWRXdid you ever figure out the issue?

[@user-dn8fp7ol5z]

Great video very clear step by step instructions with great clear camera views. But as a certified tech and shop manager I would like to give one bit of advice and recommend that the battery be disconnected before moving the ECU our of the way for access to the passenger side plugs. It must be removed anyway to access the driver side plugs and although most don't worry about it just about any manufacturer will say in the service manual to disconnect the battery before any spark plug replacement and that usually goes for any car. I don't always pull the negative terminal but on a vehicle like the wrx that needs the ECU moved aside I would recommend pulling off that negative just to be super safe or just remove the battery since it must come put Regardless. Anytime any service is performed on the engine or chassis electrical systems the battery should be disconnected even if it doesn't really seem all that relevant I would rather avoid the cost of a new ECU if just one wire happens to be exposed and by simply moving the ECU it causes a short and fries it and that would not be a surprise for an ECU and harness located under the hood like the wrx where it's exposed to severe heat and open to rodents that can be really hard on those harness wires. All it takes to damage a sensitive ECU is just one tiny slit in the insulation of just one wire that is so tiny with just a couple strands of frayed wire to cause a short that puts the ECU on the death row electric chair lol. So yeah awesome video just wanted to explain in detail why the battery should be disconnected first better safe than sorry with a huge parts and labor bill ready to eat ur credit limit lol

[@ayske1]

Great video, no talking about recent cool purchase or patting their dog ❤❤

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Thanks for watching!

[@joshstephenson3764]

Amazing video. I just changed my plugs and this was a huge help. Thank you!! Also, you need all those crazy knuckles for the 3rd one. That was almost impossible to reach.

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Thanks for watching! Glad the video helped!

[@ItsJustMike369]

Finally, straight to the point videos for the 15+ WRXs. No fancy edits, over the top tool shops, lifts, etc. Just a garage and every day tools. Doing mine next week on my 21, and this video saved me time and money. Thank you, Cars You Can Fix.

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Thank you!

[@cdbig9er]

Hands down this is the best video for changing the WRX spark plugs. Perfectly explained, step by step and video editing. Thank you sir !!!!

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Wow, thanks!

[@BeezleBubba]

100% agree. Best I’ve ever seen.

[@armandomejia7791]

Best vid out there way to show everyone the steps and not skip 🙏🏻💯🔥

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Thank you!

[@MadDoawg]

I mean he did forget to check the spark plug gap and the proper torque specs for the plugs. Both are quiet important for Subarus especially cause they are so finicky

[@Doitallday]

⁠@@MadDoawg this come already gap I believe

[@LegionzYT]

Very straightforward guide. Thank you!! Subaru wants to charge $1100 for spark plug replacement and injector cleaning. I’ll try this out when I can!

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Thanks! Hopefully this guide can save you $$$!

[@xxzachsinclairxx]

Hey! I wanted to thank you so much for this video. I did this for my first time ever changing spark plugs and the first time doing it on a boxer engine. You made this process so easy to understand, clear, and detailed. You made sure to link parts, and the camera angles were perfect. Thanks to you I’ve got it done and car is running smooth as ever! Thank you for you your hard work making this video and for giving me a new set of skills that will help me for years to come!!

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Thanks for your very thoughtful comment! So glad to hear this video was able to help you get the job done!

[@JM-nk6pr]

Thank you! Saved me $600 and I got some tools out of it. Edit: local shop told me to go to the dealer because "you have to drop the engine on those cars". Wtf

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Wow, I'd definitely stay away from that shop!

[@DC-Deezy]

He def lied to you that's not necessary to change plugs on that 😒.

[@angelpanama4850]

You sometimes have to an idle relearn for these cars after disconnecting the battery. I learned that the hard way. My car would stumble like it wanted to turn off when I came to a full stop. But great video man. This will be my second time doing my spark plugs.

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Thanks for the tip!

[@johncannon443]

how do you do that because Ive noticed mine doing it sometimes after replacing a battery myself

[@angelpanama4850]

@@johncannon443 Look up battery Subaru RPM relearn from what I remember you disconnect your battery for like 15 mins and connect it back. Before you start your car make sure all your interior lights are set to OFF and anything electrical is off (radio,headlights, car charger, etc.) after starting the car let it sit for like 10 mins and don’t not touch anything at all and let it idle. Just look at a video just to make sure.

[@randallfowler6887]

Man I can’t thank you enough, for real you saved us a lot of money and hassle!!

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Really glad to hear the video helped you!

[@Shirayumi9090]

Thanks for this. Ive heard the boxer was a pain to change spark plugs on, but this doesn't seem *that* bad. Definitely harder than a normal engine, but nothing too crazy

[@CarsYouCanFix]

It's a bit tight in there, the swivel socket with the swivel head ratchet really helps.

[@ericiidx]

A lil off topic, but Subaru has a procedure to rotate the negative battery sensor, in case of battery caps getting in its way (like in the video.) I just ran into this issue myself and found the fix when searching about it. A quick and easy rotation of the sensor for peace of mind. Thank you for the easy to follow video! Spark plugs are coming up soon.

[@LapisBlueWRX]

Literally doing them this weekend. Awesome

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Let us know how it goes!

[@kserye0829]

bro thanks for this video! you saved us some money that I can put towards our grocery 🙏🏻

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Glad to hear it!

[@hemiboy374]

I love having small hands :) I didn't remove anything out of the way. Went straight to the 4 coils, and plugs :) most people can't and I get that, it's nice having small hands that can reach!!

[@CarsYouCanFix]

In the world of auto mechanics, that's actually a blessing 🙌

[@davekeller6115]

Humanity lives on due to non greedy people like him. Who share and spread knowledge for free.

[@Slayer66037]

Dropping the coil bolt down the engine bay is a very important step do not skip it lol but seriously good job my guy subies aren't so bad idk why most ppl are afraid of working on em

[@Crispyrod]

Appreciate the vid, helped me out insanely. First time working on a subi and it was easy as hell with this vid 🙌🏽

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Glad to hear it!

[@dclucky2477]

Thank you for posting this AND even posting links to some of the helpful tools you had too. I'm going to do this later this week hopefully.

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Thanks for commenting! Appreciate the kind words and good luck on the job!

[@RayMacksKitchenandGrill]

This tutorial helped alot...thanks

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Glad it help you out! Thanks for the comment, I'll have to check out your cooking videos!

[@niroshan9]

Thank you so much brother for this video

[@gorank1046]

One of the best instructional videos I've seen. A quick question, how do you gauge the correct tightness when tightening the new spark plugs? Im a newbie and would love to know a rule if thumb way? Thanks heaps and keep up tbe great work 👍

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Best practice is to use a torque wrench, but not everyone has one and sometimes you can't use it due to space issues. Once the plug bottoms out by hand, there is now a crush washer that will compress, you will feel slight tension, then it will abruptly want to stop, that is the point where it is tight enough.

[@gorank1046]

Thanks a heap 👍

[@Exact8nightcard]

I’d suggest not tightening like this guy. Everything was good up until he didn’t recommend a torque wrench. For our cars, that matters these cars are finicky.also check the gaps in the spark plugs sometimes they’re way off

[@ooochie-yt5006]

Thanks for making this video i just got a 2017 wrx and needed this thanks brother man

[@CarsYouCanFix]

For sure bro! Thanks for the awesome comment!

[@Smithers4]

Great video bro, thinking its time to change my plugs at 140k on my 2015 and haven't had them changed once but honestly they seem fine still somehow.

[@CarsYouCanFix]

I bet you would increase your gas mileage just a little bit with the new plugs!

[@lailacorder9070]

Was able to do my 2019 Wrx base thanks to you (:

[@sergior.carreno5568]

Best video on this . Thanks .

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Thank You!!

[@clintonross1649]

Awesome video tuning up the subi! Thanks for the insights.

[@mofahimm]

Straight to the point showing all the steps. Would have been a bit helpfull at the beginning if you lay down the tools. Still one of the best video well lit under 10 mins

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Thank you! And I also appreciate the constructive criticism, as a new channel I'm still trying to nail things down.

[@raumeywilson4684]

Insanely useful, thanks!

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Glad it was helpful!

[@matthammond889]

Bout to give mine a shot now. Don’t look bad at all

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Let us know how it went!

[@matthammond889]

It went great! No cuss words and only thing I didn’t need was the swivel. Thank you!

[@samlee1588]

That was the most difficult spark plug change ever 😮‍💨the space was so tight on the right side.

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Definitely a tight fit.

[@ooochie-yt5006]

What attachments did you use to get that drivers side rear spark plug out ?

[@CarsYouCanFix]

That was just the swivel spark plug socket and the swivel head 3/8 ratchet. No other extension

[@ooochie-yt5006]

@@CarsYouCanFix thank you brother appreciate you greatly! Such a tight fit in there lmao

[@Subigang-17]

Where did u buy the spark plugs bro

[@CarsYouCanFix]

On Amazon here, Spark Plugs : amzn.to/42Hl0Pu

[@vanquishstorm]

Thank you for the helpful vid. The OEM specification for spark plug gap on this model/year WRX is 0.020” - 0.022” though these NGK Laser plugs on various websites say a gap of 0.024”, did you check the gap on your plugs prior to install and if so what were they set to? I purchased the same NGK plugs for my 17’ WRX. Thank you.

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Great Question! I do check the gap to make sure they are not way off. You must be very careful because the center electrode is very brittle and can break or fracture. For .002" difference in spec I leave plugs as is, it's not enough to make a noticable difference. On the other hand if you are pushing a highly modified engine with 500HP plus, then it starts to matter a bit more. Personally I would leave the NGK Lazers be at the gap they come with. If you really wanted to get exact you could use a pair of gaping pliers, that would be your safest option.

[@vanquishstorm]

​@@CarsYouCanFix Thank you for the reply! I measured the new NGK Laser spark plugs in which they were all within spec at .021" so I installed them as is. Would you happen to know what can be the cause of stumbling/flailing idle once vehicle reaches operating temperature during start-up? The car feels runs rough and feels like it wants to turn off in which I would then give it a little throttle to keep it running. If I therefore drive a short distance such as neighborhood street block and then do a full stop, the idle usually goes back to normal and the vehicle doesn't have this "stumbling" condition. This only happens when the car is turned-on after it reaches operating temp, it's not a spark-plug related issue as I was experiencing this prior to installing the new plugs. The car is a stock 2017 WRX with the exception of the COBB Big SF intake.Thank you for your time!

[@vanquishstorm]

@@CarsYouCanFixThe spark plug socket that you used is a 12pt where the NGK spark plug hex is 6pt, did you experience any fitment issue as I’m considering purchasing this same socket for my WRX in which I’ve only used prior 6pt spark plug sockets. Thank you.

[@CarsYouCanFix]

​@vanquishstorm3806 no fitment issues at all using the 12pt socket on a 6pt spark plug. The swivel and thin wall really make the socket worth the purchase.

[@vanquishstorm]

@@CarsYouCanFixThank you for the reply, I ordered a 12pt magnetic swivel spark plug socket for my WRX.

[@johnceli1360]

Straight to the point. Love this vid. Like and subscribe for sure, thanks for sharing man. Keep it up! 👍🏼

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Thanks for subscribing! 🔥🔥

[@barrythomas6429]

Wish it was this easy on an EJ255

[@csquaredvisionsfpv8964]

Great video dude! Thankyou!

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Thanks for your awesome comment!

[@Yuhugg]

Where do I get the swivel for the wrench?

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Swivel head ratchet : amzn.to/3yHwdpU Spark Plug Swivel Socket : amzn.to/43XonTs

[@raputin]

excellent video thanks boss.

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Thanks for watching!

[@tommyly1415]

How often do you change spark plugs on 2018 WRX?

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Subaru recommends every 60k miles or 5 years.

[@MarquetMotorWorks]

Now I know what I'm doing today!

[@chivatech]

How often are suppose to replace the sparkies?

[@CarsYouCanFix]

I believe Subaru calls for 60k miles on these.

[@SubieSteve241]

isn't there an amount of torque you are supposed to apply?

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Torque spec on the spark plugs is 17.5nm

[@michaelm3330]

there's a crush washer on the ngks, and on the side of the box 1/4-1/2 turns past finger tight, because it's kindof a bitch to get a torque wrench in there for the rear ones

[@adalisp5818]

This job kicked my ass ngl. Not sure how the hell you got the cylinder 4 one out with ease.

[@CarsYouCanFix]

That is the tightest cylinder to get too. Using the swivel socket really helped and I think I also had a really short extension on there too. Glad you got it done though!

[@sebhenao]

Would you recommend any other tool box set? the 216 craftsman cost is $209 atm. i hear people buy it on sale for 99$. should i fork up the extra money and go for the recommended tool box or do you recommend another brand?

[@CarsYouCanFix]

For mid tier tools I do like Craftsman for the quality, also take a look into GearWrench tools. They are decent quality too. I would avoid cheap harbor freight type tool sets though

[@sebhenao]

I’m going to buy the spark plug swivel socket and magnetic tool that you recommended as well. Any specific wrench tool set that recommend that would have all the tools recommended to complete this job

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Here is a Gear wrench set that is a little bit more affordable, amzn.to/47ZPShz it's a 110 piece set but should get you started with what you need.

[@sebhenao]

@@CarsYouCanFix I got the craftsman on sale for 109 at ace hardware! Let’s go!

[@CarsYouCanFix]

@@sebhenao Sweet Score!!

[@PCProphecy]

Thank you, Subbed asap! 🎉

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Thanks so much! I appreciate your support!

[@PCProphecy]

@@CarsYouCanFix Please keep the Subaru WRX 2015-2019 DIY Tutorials coming 🙏 Thank you in advance.

[@K03sport]

no dialectric grease? looks easy enough. probably take me 2 hours as any mx takes me twice as long.....

[@CarsYouCanFix]

I use dielectric grease on stubborn coils that are hard to remove, so next removal is easier. I don't use it for every spark plug replacement.

[@michaelm3330]

sure as shit wasn't any in the ones that just came out of mine from the factory and they came out just fine, so i just put in the new ones without any either. super easy compared to dealing with the shitbox i used to drive. i LOVE coil packs now, fuck a bunch of wire boots, lol

[@gnarlife1224]

Why didnt you Torque the plugs down to spec?

[@CarsYouCanFix]

When you do this everyday you sort of get a feel for it, and since these plugs don't index like some luxury engines, I just go by feel. But it's always good practice to use a torque wrench. Also this is one of my earlier videos, I do use a torque wrench a lot more on my newer videos, since that's what someone doing DIY should be doing. Great question!

[@gocars3210]

if any one has changed SIXTEEN plugs on a Hemi V8, they can do this very easily

[@OnewaytoElohim]

I can't find my cord :(

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Let me know if you need help getting these plugs done

[@TylerR323]

People should learn how to make videos from you

[@bradgreen987]

Factory air box? Where's the front mount intercooler?! Oh dear

[@CarsYouCanFix]

🦌

[@ADMDGLS69]

Not sure why you removed the plugs on the coil? No need and they are a bitch to mess with

[@CarsYouCanFix]

I left the rearward plugs connected. Mostly removed the connectors for filming purposes for a better view, on some of the older models there is even less room and I just leave the connectors connected.

[@_Nickiii_]

I hate subaru for making it THIS hard to change spark plugs. It's not hard to do but harder than it should be! lol

[@BadollbaboBadolsorka]

Boss your workshop needs people to work

[@CarsYouCanFix]

💪💪💪🔥🔥🔥

[@hdwoodshop]

Nice video but you didn’t torque your plugs. No bueno.

[@CarsYouCanFix]

When you do this stuff all the time you get a feel for torque, where it should stop. It is good practice to use a torque wrench though.

[@Exact8nightcard]

Whack didn’t use a torque wrench…novice

[@CarsYouCanFix]

🧐

[@gustavosantos6228]

Nice job 👍

[@CarsYouCanFix]

Thanks!