Can a Car Be Driven with Faulty Spark Plugs?
4 Answers
When spark plugs malfunction, the vehicle can still be driven for short distances, but it is recommended to replace them promptly to avoid potential damage to the vehicle. Methods to determine if spark plugs are damaged: Remove the spark plugs and observe their condition based on the following appearance colors. A normal spark plug's insulator skirt and electrodes should appear gray-white, gray-yellow, or light brown. A properly functioning spark plug will have a reddish-brown insulator skirt, with an electrode gap between 0.8-0.9mm and no signs of electrode burning. If the spark plug is covered in oil or deposits but is not damaged, it can continue to be used after cleaning off the oil and deposits. If the spark plug is severely damaged, with signs such as blistering at the tip, black streaks, cracks, or melted electrodes, the cause of the damage should be identified. After troubleshooting, replace the spark plug with a new one. Additionally, if the spark plug appears black as if smoked, it indicates that the wrong heat range was selected or that the air-fuel mixture is too rich, or there is oil leakage.
I've had issues with spark plugs before, where the engine would shake violently when starting the car, and there would be a rattling noise when accelerating. That time, while driving, the power noticeably dropped, feeling as sluggish as if the tires were leaking. Spark plugs are responsible for ignition; if they fail completely, the car won't start at all. Even if it can barely start, the engine running with a misfire is extremely unstable, and the car might suddenly stall while driving—how dangerous is that on the highway? It could also damage the catalytic converter or engine block, costing thousands to repair. So, I recommend that if you suspect spark plug issues, don't force it—pull over immediately, check the spark plugs yourself, or call a tow truck to take it to a repair shop. Don't overlook the spark plug replacement interval during regular maintenance; they generally need to be replaced every 50,000 kilometers or so to avoid trouble on the road.
I experienced a spark plug burnout issue right after buying my car. While driving, the engine sputtered and jerked, as if gasping for air, with little response when pressing the accelerator, accompanied by a sudden surge in fuel consumption. After researching, I learned that spark plugs are responsible for igniting the engine. A faulty one causes misfiring, and continuing to drive can damage other components, such as piston ring wear or excessive emissions, leading to costlier repairs later. In this situation, I promptly pulled over to a safe spot and stopped driving, fearing safety hazards like sluggish acceleration due to power loss, making it hard to avoid emergencies. Later, I went to a repair shop to replace the spark plugs—a simple and inexpensive fix. Prevention is always better than dealing with a breakdown on the road.
If the car's spark plugs are faulty, the vehicle may shake while driving, the engine sound becomes abnormal, and the power is insufficient with slow acceleration. I find it quite scary to drive under such conditions, like suddenly stalling at an intersection or getting rear-ended by another car. Don't force it to run, as bad plugs can lead to more issues, such as high fuel consumption and additional component damage. I usually pay attention to regular maintenance, checking the spark plugs every two to three years or as suggested by the manual—simply unscrewing them to check for carbon buildup or cracks—to prevent minor faults from turning into major troubles.
