Can You Continue Driving with a Damaged Ignition Coil?
2 Answers
You cannot continue driving with a damaged ignition coil. The reasons are as follows: 1. Engine vibration: If the ignition coil is damaged, the spark plug cannot ignite the combustible gas mixture, which can easily cause the engine to misfire and produce severe vibrations. If too many cylinders misfire, the engine may not start normally. 2. Increased fuel consumption and reduced power: Due to the weakened sparking ability of the spark plug, the combustion of the combustible gas mixture in the engine will be affected, leading to adverse reactions such as increased fuel consumption and reduced power. 3. Excessive carbon buildup: When the spark plug's sparking ability weakens, it can also cause incomplete combustion of the combustible gas mixture. This incomplete combustion produces a substance called carbon deposits, and the vehicle's exhaust may emit black smoke.
As a veteran driver with decades of experience, I've encountered situations where the ignition coil failed. At that time, the car shook violently at idle, had poor acceleration, and the fuel consumption was unusually high. I know it's possible to drive short distances, like from the workplace to the repair shop, without major issues. But never attempt long-distance travel or high-speed driving, as this can lead to misfiring, damaging the catalytic converter or even the engine itself. Once the ignition system fails, it gradually worsens, so I always make sure to have a professional replace the ignition coil as soon as possible. It's not expensive, usually costing just a few hundred yuan. Remember, if you experience similar symptoms, don't delay treatment to avoid turning a minor issue into a major one, affecting driving safety. Regular maintenance checks can prevent these problems from occurring.
