Generally speaking, the spark plugs need to be changed every 30,000 miles. This being said, the plugs can last much longer in today’s automobiles. In fact, you may not need to have your spark plugs changed until you have driven 100,000 miles. Below are the signs that your spark plugs need to be changed.
Rough Starts
In order to get your car, truck, or utility vehicle started, there must be air and fuel in each cylinder. When you turn the ignition key or press the start button, the starter sends electricity to the spark plugs so they can generate sparks. There is a spark plug in each cylinder. If one or more of the spark plugs can no longer produce sparks, it will be difficult to get your automobile started.
Misfiring/Stalling
This is from where the expression “firing on all cylinders” comes. If you have a few cylinders that are not firing because the plugs are worn, your engine will misfire. Technically, it is the cylinder block that is misfiring. Unfortunately, the misfiring can cause your engine to stall frequently.
Rough Idling
It can also create a problem when you are sitting at an idle. You will feel your vehicle jerking and hiccupping. This motion can be disturbing. Another thing that is disturbing is you will be able to hear your engine cut out when the sequence reaches a cylinder that is not firing.
Acceleration Lag
In addition to the rough idle, your acceleration will also lag. In fact, in severe cases, your engine’s performance will lag. This is because, again, the vehicle is not firing on all cylinders. This prevents the engine from producing combustion efficiently to produce power.
Surging Engine
The engine may also pick up speed unexpectedly if the spark plugs are not firing as they should be. This can be a problem with the plugs themselves, or it can be a problem with your engine control unit. The unit controls when the plugs fire.
Increased Consumption
Finally, it’s important to have the spark plugs changed when they need it because they help your fuel economy. If your engine is running poorly because you have worn spark plugs, it will consume more gasoline or diesel fuel.
We are here to help, so call us today to set up a service visit for your SUV, truck, or car. We will take a look at the plugs and replace them if they are old and worn.