Why Spark Plugs Are Important

Your car relies on its spark plugs in order to start up: They act as a conductor that transfers the battery’s high-voltage jolt to the engine in order to begin the combustion process that turns burning gasoline into spinning wheels.

Spark plugs do wear out over time, though, and they can produce some noticeable complications once they do. Here’s some tips on what to look out for, from the experts at the Emich VW service department.

Signs of Spark Plug Failure

Starting issues: If your car won’t start despite a charged battery, or it takes multiple attempts, that could be a sign of a worn-out spark plug or a bad spark plug wire connection.

Engine misfires: An engine misfire occurs when one of the cylinders in your engine isn’t working like the others. It can cause stuttering acceleration and popping or sputtering noises. It will almost certainly cause a “Check Engine” light, too. Engine misfires can lead to other major problems, so it’s important to address them right away.

Bad gas mileage: Poor spark plug function can kill your fuel economy, causing a noticeable drop in miles per gallon and a noticeable leap in your monthly gas budget.

Sluggish acceleration: Though this can be caused by countless other things, but if your car is struggling to accelerate the way it used to, the spark plugs may be to blame.

When Should I Have My Spark Plugs Replaced?

Typically, spark plugs should be replaced every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, though they rarely are. Cheaper plugs can fail even sooner, too. If you’ve been driving your Volkswagen for more than 30,000 miles without considering a new set of spark plugs, or your car is producing any of the above symptoms, it might be time to schedule service with our VW service center near Littleton.

And if you’re confident that you can change the spark plugs or spark plug wires on your own, we also sell genuine Volkswagen parts that are sure to make your vehicle happy again.

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