Checking the spark plugs is part of the factory-schedule services listed in your owner’s manual. If the spark plugs get too old, you will start to have engine performance problems. In fact, your vehicle may refuse to start or stall continuously after it has started. Let’s talk more about this below so you know what to look for in your automobile. If you are having any of the following problems, your spark plugs may be too old.
Hard Starts
As we just mentioned, it can be difficult to get your car, truck, or UV started if the spark plugs are bad. This is because they are not generating sparks to ignite the air and fuel in the cylinders. Your car may crank several times before the engine fires up or it may not start at all. This depends on the condition of the spark plugs and whether they are still generating sparks.
Misfiring
One of the things that can make your engine stall after it has started is misfiring. This means that only some of the cylinders are firing in the combustion chamber. Consequently, the engine may be unable to produce enough combustion to sustain engine power. As such, the engine will stall. The engine may still misfire even if it remains running if the spark plugs are bad.
Rough Idling
This will cause your vehicle to idle roughly. In fact, the vehicle will hiccup and stutter while you are idling and while you are driving. In order for the engine to run efficiently and smoothly, you need all of the cylinders firing in the cylinder block.
Poor Acceleration
As if the above problems were not enough, your acceleration is also going to lag if you don’t have all cylinders firing. Simply put, the engine is not producing enough power for the acceleration to be smooth and easy. You demand more out of the engine when you pick up speed.
Surging
Your engine can also search unexpectedly if it is misfiring. This could be a sign that the spark plugs are not firing in the correct order are they are firing too much. This will cause unexpected increases in speed.
Bad Economy
Unfortunately, all of the above is also going to affect your fuel economy in the worst way. You will not get the gas mileage that you normally get. Your vehicle’s fuel consumption is going to increase if the spark plugs are bad and the engine is running inefficiently.
We can help, so give us a call today. We would be happy to set up a service visit for your automobile so we can check the spark plugs.
