Spark plugs are responsible for creating the electricity that ignites the air-fuel mixture in the combustion engine of a vehicle, which starts your car. The plugs prepare the engine'southward pistons in motion and continue to provide ability to keep your vehicle moving down the road. Appropriate and timely maintenance non only improves the longevity of your car merely too creates a better driving experience. If yous forget to accept your car in for a regular tune-up, it may begin to testify signs that it needs some attention and car care. So, what happens when spark plugs go bad, and what can y'all do to prepare them? Here are seven signs and symptoms from AutoBlog that let you know information technology'south time to replace the spark plugs on your new or used car.

i. The automobile is difficult to kickoff

Chuck Robinson checking the gap on a platinum spark plug for a Volkswagen Jetta
Checking the gap on a spark plug | Jack Milton/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images

The battery is often blamed as the culprit for a vehicle non starting. However, spark plugs can but equally easily be the cause. Your machine's engine needs to work harder to compensate for worn or clogged spark plugs. It may exist challenging to commencement your vehicle if the weather conditions are harsh. In that case, there's not enough spark to turn the engine over.

2. The engine misfires

There may be other reasons why the engine misfires, similar a bad ignition coil plug cap or inferior quality fuel. However, a misfire is ofttimes the outcome of at least i worn spark plug. You'll notice the engine pace falters and so catches back up. You may also hear the engine pop as it loses and regains timing. When a vehicle misfires, it sends raw fuel into the exhaust, ultimately damaging the catalytic converter.

iii. You're heading to the gas station more than frequently

According to Firestone, worn spark plugs create extra work for your engine. In essence, they're "non able to effectively burn the fuel" in the combustion bedchamber. You'll experience the results of deteriorated plugs in your wallet as you trounce out more for fuel at a faster pace, making information technology a frustrating early warning sign of bad spark plugs.

4. The engine idling is rough and noisy

If y'all observe knocking or rattling noises coming from your engine, it's time to get the spark plugs checked. Even without the stress of a moving motor vehicle, old spark plugs tin lead to a stationary yet noisy motorcar.

5. Your automobile struggles to accelerate

A worn spark plug is no longer effective at creating the spark necessary to ignite the fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber. Ane of the near prominent places you'll see this lack of free energy is when the motorcar struggles to accelerate properly.

vi. The engine is really loud during normal driving

Whether yous drive a vehicle with a 4-, six-, or eight-cylinder engine, y'all'll detect when at least one of the spark plugs is malfunctioning by the noise. Reducing the effectiveness of a cylinder overworks the others and can create strange noises when driving, like rattling.

7. Your 'bank check engine' light is on

Even if y'all forget to cheque your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance, its system is finely tuned to alert you to potential problems. Pay attention to the check engine light. It's a preemptive alarm telling you lot it'south time to take action to prevent any car accidents or more astringent (and expensive) maintenance issues.

How often should you replace spark plugs?

The good news is that even with nickel-chromium plugs, you should only accept to replace them every xx,000 to 30,000 miles. On the other hand, Noble metallic plugs tin bear you by 100,000 miles. According to Repair Pal, spark plug costs vary depending on the age and model of your vehicle, simply are usually between a range of $lxx to $93, with added costs if you need to hire a professional to replace them.

The critical takeaway is to pay attention to your machine's early warning signs. Information technology'southward like shooting fish in a barrel to overlook a routine maintenance appointment. However, when your vehicle reminds y'all, it'southward in your best interest to heed the advice. You can bank on one matter: Failing spark plugs tin can add to costly repairs.

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