Do the brand of spark plugs and wires have to be the same??

[persuazion]

Hi all.....I replaced all my spark plugs about 2 months ago because I had a cracked one and my car was at about 40,000 miles....the car has been running great since then, but for the last couple days at a stop light or in idle it will feel like its about to die....should I replace the wires too.and does it matter what brand I use{ I used bosche platinum plugs}Also somebody told me it just might be bad gas since it happend a day after I filled my tank up from a place I dont usually go...it this a symptom of bad gas....any help would be appreciated...thanks

[BIG-L]

Sound's like it maybe a problem with the Gas,I always try and stick with name brand,Mobile,Shell,ect,ect...I got bad gas on an older car and had to have the carb rebuilt and only thing I found was lots of moister,then dumb me ,a few months later I stoped at the same station and the same thing happened again.So I learned my leason on buying from a no name station.You might try some HEAT or fuel additive before replacing the wires and top it off with some good fuel.Also might not hurt to replace the fuel filter.

~Larry~

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by BIG-L

Sound's like it maybe a problem with the Gas,I always try and stick with name brand,Mobile,Shell,ect,ect...I got bad gas on an older car and had to have the carb rebuilt and only thing I found was lots of moister,then dumb me ,a few months later I stoped at the same station and the same thing happened again.So I learned my leason on buying from a no name station.You might try some HEAT or fuel additive before replacing the wires and top it off with some good fuel.Also might not hurt to replace the fuel filter.

~Larry~

First off, to answer the question in the original post, no you don't have to use the same brand wires as you do plugs. Over the 19 or so vehicles I have owned in the last 21 years, I don't think more than a few had the same brand of both. All the vehicles that had different brands ran just fine. On the gas issue. Gas and fuel in general have to meet federal standards so they pretty much are on even ground at that point. What each individual company adds to it in the name of "additives" is what differentiates each one. Since you had problems BOTH times you visited the same station months apart, I'd have to say the individual station may have a problem with their underground tanks, possibly letting moisture in. In my state, ( and I believe it is also federal, ) the gas stations are subject to random inspections of the fuel products, so any problems can be found and adressed. Some independents get their supply at the same places as the national brands do, so the quality should be the same.

[AlmostStock]

If you suspect the gas may be the problem then siphon it out and refill with good fuel. If your car has an electric fuel pump you can also disconnect the fuel line at the filter and turn the key on to pump it out. Be careful if you do this, it will come out under high pressure. I only go to Amoco, Shell, or Mobil and never use additives. My Jeep has 170,XXX miles on it and never had any injectors cleaned or replaced. Whether this is proof of a difference or just good luck I don't know but I'm not rockin' the boat to save a few cents a gallon.

['97ventureowner]

If you use Shell brand gasoline do you have problems with your fuel gauge reading improperly? Apparently there is an issue with Shell gas or the additives in it that are causing problems with the sending units in certain GM vehicles. I have a problem with my Venture van, and occasionally my Lesabre, but I do not have a problem with my C1500 pickup. I do not use Shell gas as there is no stations in my area, so I don't know if the gas has anything to do with it. You can check this link out for more info on the subject. http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=206543

[AlmostStock]

Originally Posted by '97ventureowner

If you use Shell brand gasoline do you have problems with your fuel gauge reading improperly?

I have not had a problem in my vehicles and I usually run my tank down near empty before filling up. But this is an interesting topic that I hope to read more about.

[persuazion]

Thanks for all the replys...Im gonna change my air filter and spark plug wires tommorow...I noticed the car is only doing this when it is in drive or reverse...if its in park it idles fine..