Spark plugs are tiny mechanisms on the interior of the engine’s cylinder that receive large bursts of electricity in one side and produce a spark on the other. A conglomeration of gas and air is ignited by the spark, and this reaction is what ends up powering the vehicle. Eventually spark plugs lose their ability to jumpstart the engine, so they must be replaced by new ones.
If a certified technician recommends that I replace the spark plugs, should I?
Yes.
Why is it necessary to change the spark plugs routinely?
On end of the plug that provides the spark, there are two or more pieces of metal with a space between them. These are called electrodes. When the plug ignites, at least one spark bridges that space, and some of the metal is burned off. This action is repeated hundreds of times per minute, and eventually, the space between the metal ends widens to the point that the spark no longer occurs.
What happens if I don’t replace the spark plugs when there are signs something is wrong?
The engine will start to fire incorrectly, performance will decrease, and emissions will significantly increase. The vehicle may also begin to give you trouble when starting it.
How often does any maintenance need to be performed regarding the spark plugs?
Old spark plugs should be substituted with new ones at a minimum of 30,000 miles. The majority of car manufacturers install spark plugs that range anywhere from 60,000 to 90,000 miles. If you wait until the end of the lifespan before changing these plugs, it may prove to be rather problematic or impossible to remove the old plugs. If your car is not running as it normally would, it is a good idea to check the plugs. For instance, if a plug turns black, it means the engine is running too rich.