Quick answer: Spark Plug Replacement on a 2012–2024 Nissan Almera is rated Advanced and takes about 1-3 hours. You'll need 4 tools for this job, and parts cost about $115. This guide walks you through the full job step by step, including the mistakes to avoid.
| Part Name |
Part Number |
Price |
Buy |
| Correct spark plug set for the gasoline/ICE engine in 2012-2024 Nissan Almera; verify engine, heat range, gap, and VIN fitment |
— |
$115.00 |
|
| Coil-boot seals or ignition coils only if inspection finds damage Optional |
— |
$35.00 |
|
About prices: shown prices are typical retail averages and change frequently; cheaper alternatives may be available. Confirm the current price before buying.
💡 Pro tip: Order all parts at once to save on shipping
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps carefully
1
Confirm engine and plug fitment
Confirm your 2012-2024 Nissan Almera's exact engine before ordering: the common 1.5L is the HR15DE, and NGK's catalog specifies the PLZKAR6A-11 laser platinum plug for it, gapped at 1.1 mm (0.043") — buy four. The Almera's small four uses slim 12 mm-thread plugs, so confirm the replacement matches the original's reach and hex size before installing; a wrong-reach plug in this engine either shrouds the spark or risks piston contact. Scan for misfire codes first and inspect the coil-on-plug boots for cracks, since a torn boot misfires exactly like a worn plug.
2
Cool and expose the plugs
Let the 1.5L HR15DE cool completely. The aluminum head's small plug threads strip easily when hot. Release the lock and pull the connector body, never the wiring.
3
Remove the coils
Remove each coil's single bolt and lift the coil straight up out of its well, keeping the four coils in cylinder order so each returns to its original plug. Inspect each coil boot for cracks, oil, or white tracking marks while it is out.
4
Remove and install plugs
Remove each old plug with a 14 mm thin-wall spark-plug socket — a standard 5/8" socket will not fit these slim 12 mm plugs — and compare its deposits and electrode wear to the new NGK PLZKAR6A-11. Start every new plug by hand, turning it backward a half-turn first until the threads click into place so the small aluminum threads never cross-thread. Never use an impact for final seating. Tighten to the manufacturer's spec in your owner's manual; these small plugs take far less torque than old 14 mm plugs. Do not re-gap the preset electrodes.
🔧 Mechanic's note — Ray Delgado
Here's what I do: turning the plug backwards half a turn until the threads click is the oldest trick in the book for aluminum heads — you feel the threads drop into place instead of cutting new ones. Then it hand-threads in with zero resistance.
5
Reconnect and verify
Seat each coil fully onto its plug, reinstall its bolt, and reconnect every coil connector until it clicks. Refit the engine cover. Start the Almera and confirm a smooth idle with no check-engine light, then scan for misfire codes (P0300-P0304) after a short test drive. Stop and recheck if any thread bound during installation, a coil boot tore, or a misfire code returns on one cylinder.
All Done!
Test your repair before closing everything up. If something doesn't work right, double-check your steps.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- • Using the wrong plug or assuming a pre-gapped plug needs no verification
- • Blowing debris into an open cylinder or plug well
- • Cross-threading a plug or tightening it without a torque wrench
- • Overusing anti-seize or dielectric grease on the plug threads
- • Mixing coil connectors or ignoring a misfire after reassembly
