When spark plugs malfunction, the usual smooth rumble and roar of your engine will be interrupted by popping, coughing, and sputtering sounds alongside declining power and performance. If you suspect a bad spark plug, it’s best to have it replaced at your nearest Chrysler dealership before the misfiring leads to worse problems throughout your vehicle. Here are the main indications of a failing spark plug.
Your Engine’s Misfiring Frequently
A malfunctioning spark plug will start to misfire, meaning it will fail to ignite the fuel-air mixture inside the cylinder at the proper rate. This misfiring causes the engine to pop and shudder.
Your Car’s Idling Roughly
Whenever a car’s stationary with the motor running, the engine is put under more pressure. When at least one spark plug is misfiring, the engine will really struggle in idle. The sputtering and vibrating will become very noticeable, and your engine might even stall.
You Have Difficulty Starting Your Engine
If you can’t start your engine on a cold morning, a faulty spark plug might be to blame. Without a strong surge of sparks to get the combustion process going, the ignition process can’t take off. This problem will become especially prominent during the colder months of the year.
You’ve Lost Acceleration
A misfiring engine with a bad spark plug will start losing power intermittently. You may find the pace fall and then speed up again. Most notably, you won’t be able to accelerate as reliably as usual.
You’re Driving Less Far on Each Tank of Gas
When a dirty or fouled spark plug prevents a cylinder from firing properly, the fuel being injected into the cylinder isn’t burning efficiently. This means your car’s gas mileage is falling, and your monthly gas expenditure is probably rising too.
Your Plugs Have Outlived Their Lifespan
If you know how long you’ve been using your plugs, you can predict when they’re reaching the end of their lifespan. Regular copper plugs tend to last 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Higher-quality platinum or iridium plugs can last anywhere from 60,000 to 150,000 miles.
Check the expected lifespan of your particular plugs as determined by the manufacturer. When your plugs are getting old, you can have them replaced before any of them start to misfire and cause engine trouble.
Your Chrysler Dealer Identifies a Bad Plug
During your frequent car maintenance visits at your local dealership, your technician will inspect your engine and identify possible problems with the plugs and other components. One of the important reasons to never miss a scheduled servicing visit is that technicians can catch problems like bad plugs early on and nip them in the bud.
Have your car’s plugs examined and repaired or replaced today at All American Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM of Odessa.
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