How to Tell if Your Car Has Bad Spark Plugs

You don’t have to be a mechanic to know when something’s going wrong within your vehicle. Many automotive systems and parts will present signs that indicate they need repaired or replaced, including the spark plugs. Not sure what spark plugs do? Don’t know how to look for signs of bad Spark plugs? No problem.

Continue reading to learn how to tell if your car has bad spark plugs, plus what you can do if your car is no longer a good candidate for repair.

Junk Car Buyers Indianapolis Indiana 317-608-2188
Junk Car Buyers Indianapolis Indiana 317-608-2188

Spark Plug Basics

Your vehicle contains all sorts of electrical systems and devices. That is exactly what your spark plugs are. They are small, internal electrical devices designed to trigger combustion within the engine by igniting the air-fuel mixture within the combustion chambers of the engine’s cylinders. This in turn provides power to the engine and allows you to drive your vehicle. So, if your spark plugs are bad, you’re not going to have any luck turning over the ignition, nor maintaining smooth driving operation.

Spark Plug Replacement

The good news is that spark plugs tend to last a long time. In fact, you probably won’t have to change at your spark plugs until you take your car in a few times for routine service. Your mechanic will likely tell you when you need your spark plugs replaced. More good news is that spark plug replacement is typically inexpensive because they are on the cheaper side of automotive parts. Keep in mind, you will need to pay for labor to have them installed in addition to the price of the spark plugs.

Generally, spark plugs can last up to 100,000 miles or more. It is suggested that copper spark plugs do not last as long as industry conventional spark plugs made of platinum or iridium. Refer to your owner’s manual for specific recommendations on spark plug replacement for your make and model vehicle.

Common Signs of Failing Spark Plugs

Ready to learn how to spot the signs of bad spark plugs in your vehicle? Your spark plugs might be going bad if any of these statements are true about you and your vehicle:

▶ You are experiencing poor gas mileage.
▶ The engine continues to misfire.
▶ You have trouble starting your engine.
▶ Your vehicle accelerates slowly, or slower than before.
▶ Your vehicle has rough idling.

It is important to have your spark plugs replaced in a timely manner so that you can get the best use out of your vehicle. If you fail to provide your car with the proper maintenance and repairs along the way, it will eventually total out. Once your car is a total loss, it is no longer a good candidate for repair. In such a case, you can sell it to a local junk car buyer in Indianapolis for cash on the spot.

Are you ready to get started with the junk car selling process in Indianapolis? Contact GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to learn the honest scrap value for your junk car from a licensed Indiana auto salvage associate. We provide free junk car removal too!

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