Symptoms of Bad or Failing Spark Plugs

Common signs of faulty spark plugs include slow acceleration, loss of power, poor fuel economy, engine misfires, and difficulty starting the car. Our certified technicians can come to you and diagnose the problem. 

Without a spark, there would be no way for fuel to ignite in the combustion chamber. Spark plugs have been a critical component of the internal combustion engine for years. Spark plugs are designed to transmit an electrical signal sent from the ignition coil at a predetermined time to create a spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber. Each vehicle requires a particular type of spark plug made from specific materials and with a designated spark plug gap set by a mechanic during installation. Good spark plugs will burn fuel efficiently, while bad or failing spark plugs can cause the motor not to start at all.

Spark plugs are similar to motor oil, fuel filters, and air filters in that they require routine service and maintenance to keep your engine running strong. Most vehicles sold in the United States require their spark plugs to be replaced every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. However, some newer cars, trucks, and SUVs have advanced ignition systems that ostensibly make spark plug replacement unnecessary. Regardless of any warranties or claims made by a vehicle manufacturer, there remain situations where a spark plug wears out or shows signs of failing.

Listed below are 6 common symptoms of worn-out spark plugs or spark plugs that have fouled and need to be replaced by a certified mechanic as soon as possible.