Modern-day spark plugs are designed to last 100,000 miles. This is a significant change from switching out the spark plugs every 30,000 miles. This being said, if you are having any of the problems listed below, your spark plugs are too old and they need to be changed.
Difficult Starts
It can be difficult to get your automobile started if the spark plugs are too old. When they wear out, they may not produce sparks to ignite the air and fuel in the cylinders. Consequently, your engine may crank several times before it fires up, or it may not fire up at all.
Misfiring Engine
Let’s assume that you got the engine started. Unfortunately, if one or more of the spark plugs is not producing sparks, your engine will misfire. What this means is that the air and fuel will ignite in some of the cylinders but not all of them.
Rough Idling
Unfortunately, the misfiring cylinders will make the engine idle roughly. In fact, it is common for an engine to stall if the spark plugs are worn out. Again, this is caused by the fact that the engine is misfiring. You need all of the cylinders to fire for efficient performance.
Acceleration Lag
If the engine is running inefficiently, you may start to have problems with your automobile’s acceleration and overall performance. The acceleration may lag when you press down on the accelerator. The engine may also sputter while you are driving. You may fear that the engine will stall.
Surging Engine
In some cases, the spark plugs can also fire too quickly. When this happens, you may end up with an engine that surges while you are driving. Unfortunately, this can make driving your automobile difficult because its performance is unpredictable.
Reduced Economy
Finally, the engine performance problems caused by the old spark plugs will reduce your fuel economy. In order to get the best gas mileage out of your automobile, the engine needs to run efficiently. If the cylinders are misfiring, the engine will run inefficiently.
Do not worry. We are here to help, and our certified technicians are experts in changing spark plugs. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment for your automobile. We will work with your schedule and make sure that the repairs are done quickly. Our goal is to get your automobile repaired right the first time so you can drive off without a worry.