Spark plugs are one of the busiest components of your engine. A single plug fires up to 400 times per minute, with 12,000 to 25,000 volts pulsing through it. Eventually, all this effort takes a toll and when a plug is on its last legs, the cylinder starts to misfire. Let’s look at how often you should visit your local Chrysler dealer for new plugs, and how to know when a plug is finally failing.
Plugs Can Last for 80,000 Miles
In a well-maintained engine, plugs can last up to 80,000 miles. But it’s quite likely you’ll need to replace one or two of them before that. Plugs tend to wear out individually and not all at once. A plug’s lifespan can be shortened by chemical contamination, unbalanced fuel-air mixture, improper torque, and a few other factors.
Look for Signs of Plug Trouble
To know when to change a plug, it’s best to keep an eye on your engine’s performance. The following five telltale signs of plug problems should prompt you to ask a technician to take a look.
Your Fuel Efficiency Drops
When a plug begins to falter, that cylinder is no longer properly igniting the fuel-air mixture. This misfiring leads to an excess of unburned fuel inside the combustion chamber, which will start to coat the plug with soot and deal corrosive damage. This further reduces the plug’s ability to function.
With one cylinder suffering, your engine is no longer burning fuel as efficiently as before. You’ll notice your vehicle guzzling gas and you’ll have to refill the tank more often for each mile you drive.
You Start Idling Roughly
Having lost the full power of at least one cylinder, your engine will begin to idle roughly when you pause at traffic lights. You might feel it shaking and juddering while emitting coughing, sputtering sounds. This rough idling will be more noticeable with a V4 engine than with a V6 or V8.
You Can’t Accelerate Properly
When your engine begins to falter in this way, try to avoid overtaking other vehicles. With at least one cylinder misfiring, you won’t have as much accelerative force as before.
You Notice Black Smoke Behind You
A misfiring plug creates a buildup of excess fuel in the chambers, which is forced out through the exhaust system. This unburned fuel will begin to erupt from the tailpipe as thick black smoke.
You Struggle to Start Your Engine
If you have more than one malfunctioning plug, your engine might even struggle to fire up in the morning. If this happens, check your plugs or have a technician inspect them for you.
Have your plugs examined, cleaned, or replaced today at Bill Snethkamp Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM. We’ve been family-owned and operated since 1926.
Connect with us
