Yes, bad spark plugs can make it difficult to start your car. As the spark plugs wear out, not all of them may generate sparks in the cylinders to ignite the air and fuel. Consequently, the engine will be unable to produce full combustion and it may take a few tries to get the vehicle started. Oxford Automotive advises this is just one sign that you need new spark plugs. Here are other signs.
Misfiring/Stalling
Once you get the car started, pay attention to how it performs. If it stalls immediately and frequently, or if it misfires, there is a problem with the spark plugs. The spark plugs work all the time while the engine is running. They generate continual sparks to burn the air and fuel in the cylinders. If they are not operating correctly, some of the cylinders will not receive a spark and this will cause them to misfire.
Rough Idling
In addition to the misfiring and stalling, worn spark plugs can also make your engine idling roughly. In fact, the engine may idle so roughly that it stalls while you are sitting there. To avoid this from happening, check your owner’s manual to see how often you need to have the spark plugs changed. In today’s automobiles, this mileage milestone is 100,000 miles.
Surges/Bucks
Let’s get back to talking about the misfiring. When the plugs misfire, your engine can also surge and buck. You will feel as if you are driving a bucking bronco. This can make controlling the vehicle difficult, especially if it is surging very powerfully. It’s better to head straight to our shop so we can replace the plugs rather than fight your automobile while you drive it.
Poor Acceleration
The opposite can also occur. The spark plugs can affect how well your automobile accelerates. For example, when you press down on the accelerator, if some of the spark plugs failed to generate sparks, your acceleration will lag. You need all of the sparks for full acceleration.
Poor Gas Mileage
Finally, these engine performance issues are going to affect your gas mileage. There is no way around this. Unfortunately, you will head to the service station more often because your vehicle will not get as many miles to each gallon. Replacing the spark plugs can solve this problem.
We can do that here at Oxford Automotive in Oxford, PA, so give us a call today to set up a service appointment for your automobile.