Spark plugs play an important role in your car or truck. They are needed to start your car; they provide the spark needed to start the engine, and they can even drain your battery if they aren't working correctly.
Are Spark Plugs Supposed to Last the Life of the Vehicle?
Yes, but that doesn't mean they won't need maintenance or that something couldn't go wrong with yours. Most manufacturers state that maintenance will be needed by the time you put 100,000 miles on your vehicle, even if they're designed to have a long life. Sometimes, spark plugs need maintenance as soon as 30,000 miles.
If you're finding that your vehicle consistently has problems with acceleration or starting, you'll want to change your spark plugs and see if this is the problem. As time goes on, your spark plugs will lose their sharpness, and the gap may increase and require more voltage to bridge. Keep this in mind the next time you go through your car's needed maintenance.
Can My Vehicle Run Without Spark Plugs or With Damaged Spark Plugs?
Without spark plugs, your vehicle won't start. If the gap between the plugs you have has grown too large because of damage, the energy needed to start your vehicle won't be enough, making it less likely to start or run properly when it is on.
What Are Some Signs That My Spark Plugs Need to Be Replaced?
There are a few different signs that your spark plugs need to be replaced. These include:
- Engine Misfiring. Misfiring is when your engine stops for just a second or two before continuing on without difficulty. As the spark plugs get worse, the misfires will become more common. They will increase the amount of exhaust your vehicle produces, too. If your dashboard warning lights indicate high emissions or engine trouble, your spark plugs might be the cause, particularly if you're finding that your engine is misfiring often. Can you ignore this for a while? You can, but the problem with misfiring engines is that it means too much gasoline is getting into the exhaust, and when that happens, your catalytic converter may get too hot. That means your entire engine could be at risk of having a meltdown.
- Engine Surging. Engine surging is created when your engine is struggling with combustion. When combustion doesn't take place, your vehicle doesn't get the power it needs from fuel. That can make your vehicle sluggish
- Poor Acceleration. Poor acceleration may be one of the main things you recognize on a daily basis. Is your engine struggling to get up to speed when you push the pedal to the floor? Your spark plugs may not be providing the voltage needed from the battery to start the combustion process or to get more energy from the combustion process when needed.
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