Plugging Away (Spark Plug Replacement)
February 19, 2023
If you drive a vehicle with a gasoline engine, thank the spark plugs for igniting the gasoline/air mixture in each cylinder that keeps your vehicle traveling smoothly down the road every day. Your spark plugs work hard, firing thousands of times in a well-choreographed order, and you usually don't pay much attention to them until one of them stops working the way it should.
Signs that spark plugs are wearing out include:
- Engine runs more roughly than it did
- Vehicle doesn't start as easily as it used to
- Vehicle hesitates when you press on the accelerator
- Your fuel economy has gotten worse
When a spark plug stops working altogether, you will find your engine has likely lost a lot of its power and isn't running smoothly. Your Check Engine light may come on. Then it's time to head to come to our service center to have it diagnosed.
If your plugs need to be replaced, they're usually done all at the same time. And if your vehicle has spark plug wires, experts recommend you change them as well. Different type of spark plugs last longer than others, and your service advisor can discuss what's best for your vehicle and driving habits.
A technician will also determine if there are any carbon deposits on your plugs, how healthy the ignition coil is (it's the part that supplies the high-voltage jolt that makes the spark) and will look for other signs and symptoms that may point to other problems in your engine. For instance, if a spark plug is fouled by oily deposits, it's possible oil is getting into the combustion chamber.
They will also check all the plugs to see if there are problems in just one or all cylinders. Sometimes a technician will find a plug that has overheated, literally melting the metal. In that case, they may recommend they correct that problem before replacing the spark plugs.
Most spark plugs will last for a good, long time. Even if you aren't seeing any symptoms they're wearing out, make sure you have your service advisor check your vehicle manufacturer's recommended maintenance intervals. Preventative maintenance will keep your vehicle running reliably so you can count on it to get you where you want to go.
Charlie's Fast Lube Perryville
701 S. Perryville Ave
Perryville, Missouri 63775
575-517-0022
http://www.charliesfastlubeperryville.com
Need Service?
More articles from Charlie's Fast Lube Perryville
Why did my vehicle fail its emissions test?
April 27, 2025
We all want to breathe clean air and keep our planet green. One of the ways to do that is by requiring all vehicles with internal combustion engines to pass an emissions test. Thats because these vehicles can be big polluters. Everyone wants their car to pass the test so they can continue the... More
Braking Good (Brake Drum Replacement)
April 20, 2025
Maybe your vehicle feels like Breaking Bad. In other words, when you brake, things are bad. You may find it takes you a longer distance to stop, you feel a vibration, or its pulsating when you depress the brake pedal, or perhaps your vehicle pulls to one side. Those can be symptoms of failing b... More
Oil Times are a-Changin' (Oil Change Synthetic)
April 13, 2025
When it comes to oil changes, things are really changing. Most newer vehicles require synthetic oil, and while it costs more than conventional oil, it doesn't need to be changed as often. When conventional oil was the only game in town, you changed your oil every 3,000 miles/5,000 km. But as tec... More